Kingpin(42)

“He’s…” I try to think of a way to describe him, but all I can think of is sex on a stick. “Intense.” I land on that and it seems to fit.

“Really? He’s always so laid back and funny. He’s the first to crack a joke. But I guess I could see that he might be that way with someone he loves.”

The L word makes me pause and look over at her. “Has he been in love before?” I can hear the confusion mixed with disappointed and jealousy in my own voice. Now I’m suddenly thinking that the kiss this morning seemed natural and easy because he does it with all kinds of women.

“No!” Thea is quick to answer and shake her head. “No, absolutely not. As far as I know, he’s been waiting on the one.”

“What do you mean?” I can feel my eyebrows pull together as I stand by the crib, waiting.

She shrugs and smiles. “I’ve talked to Salvatore about it a few times. Apparently, the men in Gio’s family are known to see the woman they are going to marry and know it right on the spot. It’s instant love and they live happily ever after. It’s happened in every generation as far back as they go.”

“So he’s just using women until he finds his wife?” The jealousy is building, and I don’t know why I’m suddenly so angry at the thought of being a plaything until he finds his bride.

“That’s not what I said.” Thea shakes her head and waves her hand. “What I’m saying is that I’ve never seen him with a woman, and neither has Sal. And they’ve been friends since they were babies.”

“Oh.” For some reason my heart flutters a little at that. “So…” I trail off, hoping she’ll give me more.

“So…he’s never even given a woman a long glance until you. Be careful with him, Emma. He’s a good guy, and he doesn’t do a single thing without thinking it through.”

I go over and sit down next to her to help her fold the huge pile of baby clothes and sort through the sizes.

“How do you handle this life?” I finally ask, needing to know what I’m getting myself into.

If Gio is for real and this is what Thea says it is, then I might be in this for the long haul. I’ve never been one to believe in love at first sight, but I know Gio is different. I knew the first time we kissed that our worlds collided, and now that I’m here, I’m both scared and the happiest I’ve ever been.

Thea beams at me. “This is so much more magical and perfect than anything I could have ever dreamed up in my head. Salvatore is the best husband any woman could wish for, and I never want for a thing.” She takes my hand and squeezes it in hers. “I know that some of the things he does might not seem right in the eyes of the law, but he and Gio are the good guys. They protect everyone in their family, and that means sometimes making the hard decision that people like me aren’t capable of. I know that they would fight to the death to protect me and my baby, and they will do the same for you. To me it’s not a question of how do I handle this life. It’s how do I handle not having this life.” She smiles again and I can see the pure love in her eyes. “That’s not something I’ll ever have to worry about, thanks to my Salvatore. I’m thankful for him every day.”

Her words are heavy, but I understand what she’s saying. It’s what Gio told me before, but hearing it from someone who has come from the outside somehow makes it all easier to swallow.

I nod in understanding and smile back. “Thanks. That’s what I needed to hear.”

“It doesn’t hurt that my Sal gives me more orgasms than I know what to do with every day.”

We both burst into laughter, which comes to an abrupt halt when we hear someone clear their throat behind us.

I turn around to see Gio and Salvatore in the doorway looking at us. There’s a smile pulling at Gio’s lips, and then he winks at me. I feel the tingle between my legs again and I want him so much it aches.

“We’re going to be late,” Salvatore says to Thea, and she bounces up pretty quickly for a pregnant woman.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Salvatore is taking me to see Beauty and the Beast on stage, and then we’re going for dinner and ice cream,” Thea says, practically about to burst into glitter.

“Anything for you angel,” he says, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her on the top of her head.

“I’ve got everything covered,” Gio says to him as he nods.

“We’ll be back later on. Don’t wait up,” Salvatore says as he and Thea wave goodbye to us and close the door behind them.

After a moment, Gio and I are left alone in the baby’s room, and I watch as he leans against the doorframe, staring at me.