For me, it was the smug look on his face when Bethany announced she was pregnant. He really thinks he’s outsmarting me.
I ignored his bullshit after the wedding when calls started coming a few days after. The son of a bitch never fails to do as I know he will. So here I stand right in the open about to buy a Manhattan condo from his bitch-ass grandson.
“Mr. Luciano, how do you like this view?”
I nearly laugh as he calls me by the bogus name I gave him. Ny walks over to my side. I place my hand on the small of her back. She has on one of those blonde wigs I loathe. It dulls her skin tone and takes away from her natural beauty. She looks up at me with those gray contacts. Another distraction from her gorgeous face.
“It’s not up to me. You have to please her,” I say to Lou Kelley.
“Happy wife, happy life, right?”
I don’t miss how he takes Ny in and devours her body with his gaze. I note that for future reference. His grandfather would die a slow death. I snort and head for the kitchen.
“This place is nice though. Is it the only unit available? I might talk my brother into buying. We’re sort of close, you know?”
“I totally get it. I’m pretty close with my brothers as well.”
“Oh yeah, I only have the one. How many do you have?”
“I have two. I mean, I have a few cousins who are close like brothers. By the way, I do have another unit I’d be happy to show him.”
“I’ll think about it. Your brothers, are they in real estate with you?”
“No, Jacob is a chef. Franky works for my grandfather. One of my cousins is between jobs. To be honest, he spends all his damn time playing video games. I’ve tried to hire him, but he’d rather game and chat online with his nerdy-ass friends in those chat forums.”
“I’d like to see the bedrooms for the kids,” Ny says as she enters the kitchen.
Again, Lou turns a heated gaze on her. No doubt mind-fucking her. Jace comes over and stands behind her with his arms crossed over his chest.
Lou clears his throat. “What is it you said you do again, Mr. Luciano?”
“Investments. My wife and I own several developments as well.”
“In New York? Maybe I can help you sell a few units.”
“No, Miami and Boston.”
His excitement dies a bit. “Oh, I’m looking into getting my license in Boston. My brother, the chef. He’s out there making a name for himself.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah, my other brother goes out to see him a lot. He has a place out there too.”
We enter the room staged as a nursery. Ny walks over to the baby crib and stands looking down into it as if she’s lost. My heart aches.
Ignoring Lou and his babbling, I walk over and wrap my arms around her. I start to kiss at her neck.
“Che cosa? Qual è il problema?” I ask in a whisper.
“Nothing.” She turns in my arms and looks up at me.
I pinch her chin between my fingers and take her lips. She wraps her arms around my neck and melts into me. I growl, knowing she’s lying to me, yet not wanting to have that conversation either. She turned thirty-five this year.
It’s been fourteen years since she thought she was pregnant. I’m going to have to face this soon. I feel it in my bones.
Lou clears his throat and gives a fake chuckle. “Maybe I should show you guys the master.”
“Maybe you should shut the fuck up before you lose a commission,” I grunt.
“Of course, of course. I’ll step out front and let you guys walk through. If you have any questions just call for me,” he says.
Pussy.
I wave him off, not turning from Ny. She has her eyes downcast as she stares absently at my chest. I lift her chin to lock eyes with her.
“Talk to me.”
“I will, just not here.”
I purse my lips and nod. She’s been distant for the past few weeks. Jace has noticed it too. I think he knows more, but he’s not talking. Something we promised to do.
I peck Ny’s lips and nod. This isn’t the place for the talk I think is coming. I’ll hold back for now.
I turn to Jace. “You know what to do.”
He nods and leaves the room. I check my phone quickly, hoping nothing has come up so I can head home with Ny tonight.
I send a text to Salvatore to have him pick up Ny’s car. She’ll be riding with me and Jace. I look up to find her staring into the crib again. Reality bites hard.
Twenty years is a long time to ask someone to trust you. Fourteen years is a long time to ignore your woman telling you how much she wants a baby. A blind man can see how bad I’m fucking this up.