Page 64 of Always Meant To Be

He listens to what his brother says before he hangs up, puts his phone in his pocket, and crosses his arms over his chest.

I stammer, "Y-you just killed her…."

His nostrils flare as he snaps, "Of course, I fucking did. I won't have her making you believe I was having an affair. I've only just fucking gotten you back after you thinking I was screwing your sister for years!"

I blink, my mouth parting a little. I think I'm in shock; I mean, I must be right because, dammit, the way he's working to make sure he doesn't lose me is making my stomach flutter, and no, it's not our baby, either….

I feel a presence behind me, but I don't move, keeping my eyes on Rome's as Leonardo chuckles. "And here I thought we were going to take her to the warehouse to find out who else she sold our info to." My eyes widen, and I turn to look at Leonardo. He grins, rasping, "Hey,sorella…." His grin drops when he realizes I'm actually standing here before glaring at his big brother. "You didnotfucking kill her in front of your wife, you idiot!"

I snort, making him glare at me as Romeo curses, "I didn't fucking think, alright. All I saw was my wife standing in the doorway and a bitch lying on my desk naked, telling said wife to sign divorce papers."

Leonardo pauses for a second before he nods. "Alright, I'll give you that one."

I huff. "Can we get back on topic, please?" I look at Leonardo. "Leo, what did you mean about her selling information?"

When we hear the elevator ding, Leonardo gently pushes me into the room and shuts Rome's office door, hiding the body.

Rome speaks up, making me look his way as he walks over to me, "We've been having a few problems lately. This office is my main office for all our legitimate businesses. It turns out Helena was the one selling the information to the men we tracked, who then sold it. She never got caught, always the middle man, until this morning when she logged on to my account while I was here."

"Huh," I murmur, willingly going into my husband's arms, and he sighs.

"I never fucked her," he starts, and I cut him off, "I know, Rome." I look up at him as I wrap my arms around his back.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, for a split second, my mind did go there, but anyone in my position would question it. I mean, if you came to my classroom and saw someone naked…." He growls, and I laugh, leaning my head on his chest.

"How are you not freaking out right now?" Leonardo asks, perplexed.

I chuckle. "Helena isn't the first person I've seen killed. Papa didn't know I was awake, and I heard screaming one night. I think I was twelve. I walked into the basement to see him cutting some guy's ear off. I screamed the place down, and he instantly felt bad." I frown. "An hour later, Mama showed up in my room, and belted my back."

Rome stiffens, and I move my head up and kiss his chin.

"Your mother is a bitch and doesn't deserve forgiveness. I don't care what her reasons were," Leonardo mutters, then looks at his brother. "I'll call the cleaning crew. Romeo, why don't you take El home."

Rome nods as Leonardo kisses my head, and leaves as he pulls his phone out.

"I just need to close everything down," Rome whispers against my head, and I nod, letting go of his shirt. I watch as he rounds the desk, ignoring the dead body, and shuts his computer down, muttering, "I was really looking forward to fucking you over my desk tonight, and now I’m going to have to burn the fucking thing."

I laugh and ask, "How did you even know I would come?"

He smirks. "I have your necklace app open all day,farfalla, needing to know you’re safe." I smile at that. I know most people will think it's controlling, but it's pure protection with Rome. He grabs his keys, walks over to me, and says, "And don't think I don't know about that fucker, either. He's dead if I ever see him."

I wince and give him a grim smile, knowing he means every word, but he ignores it, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, and guiding me out of his office.

"Hey, Rome," I say as we approach the elevator, and he hums. Clearing my throat, I ask, "When do I get my car back?"

He snorts, guiding me inside the box. After the door closes he murmurs, "You don't. I scrapped it months ago and bought you a Jeep Wrangler, but now you're pregnant, I don't want to risk your safety."

My eyes widen as I look his way in shock before anger takes hold, and I snap, "Why, you little?—"

He cuts me off, taking my lips with his own, kissing me with hunger as his tongue pushes through my parted lips, tangling with mine. I instantly melt, moaning like a little whore, before he pulls back, grips my cheek, and whispers, "I love you, El."

I narrow my eyes and admit, "I love you, too, but if I were you, I'd hide the things you treasure most, including your Aston Martin."

He grins. "Destroy everything for all I care,farfalla. My most treasured thing is you, and I need you safe."

Ah crap, there goes my heart and my anger.

Seeing he got to me, he smirks, then presses his lips against mine again, and I melt into him.