Page 22 of Bread in The Oven
“First he started yelling at me, mostly little things. Pillows or a fork was out of place. Then one time I was late with dinner because I forgot to turn the oven on. That was the first time he hit me. But he never touched Lucy, so I was glad for that. I gladly took whatever he was going to do as long as he left her alone.”
I sit up and look at Simone. “You know that no matter what you’ve done, you didn’t deserve to be hit by him. Your father is an asshole and a coward for hitting you. Fathers are supposed to protect their children, not hurt them.”
“I’m still afraid they’re going to find us and force us to go back with them.”
“That’s never going to happen. You and Lucy are safe.”
I want to tell her about our families, but until she’s my wife, I can’t. Which will happen soon, but until then, I can’t. Wife.That’s a word I didn’t think would come out of my mouth ever again. And the thought of having more babies used to scare me. With Simone? It doesn’t.
“I know you need to get back to Lucy. I’ll walk you back over. And from now on? No walking at night alone. Call or text me, I’ll come get you. Okay?”
“Okay, but why? I thought we were safe here?”
“You are. But there’s always something thatcouldhappen. And I don’t want to take that chance with you.”
“Thank you. I’ve never felt like I was wanted, you make me feel wanted.”
That one little statement makes me want to kill her parents even more. One day I will be face to face with them and I’ll show them what I think of their ‘parenting.’
We get up and I can’t keep my eyes off of her as she gets dressed. She’s so much more than I deserve to have. But for some reason, I found her and she chose me. I’m a lucky bastard.
Chapter Eleven
Simone
It’s been about a month since Lucy and I came to Lake Renegade. Last weekend we moved into Romano’s home. I wanted to give Lucy the ability to choose things, our parents always made the choices for us. I can see how much Lucy has started to relax since we’ve been here. She laughs a lot and runs around with the little kids. she’s seventeen but we were never allowed to be kids. So I can’t stop smiling when I watch her. She’s just so carefree.
Today we’re at one of the Cimaruta MC’s barbecues. There are members from some of the other chapters here, I’ve been trying to remember all their names. It’s not easy. But they’re all really nice.
“Hi, my love,” Romano says as he comes up behind me. I lean back and feel him behind me. His arms come around and cage me in. This is my favorite place, wrapped in his strong arms. I haven’t told him yet, but I think I’m pregnant. I’m two weeks late for my period. And I’ve never been late before. Romano always tells me that he wants me pregnant, and I can’t say that scaresme. What scares me is what if he changes his mind? I know he’s still hurting from losing his family. I’ve noticed that each day that we spend together, he relaxes a little more. I don’t want him to ever forget his family, he tells me stories of them. How he and Amara met, how it was for him to be a papà for the first time.
I turn around in his arms to face him.
“So I have something I need to tell you. Now I’m not positive, but I’m like ninety percent su?—.”
“Are you pregnant?” He’s smiling.
I laugh. “I think I might be. I’ve never been late, but I’m two weeks late now.”
He picks me up gently and hugs me. “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me.”
When he puts me down, he places his hand on my belly. He looks so happy, I can’t help but smile more.
“Marry me, mia farfalla. I want to give you and our bambino a full life. One where you’ll never have to worry about anything.”
Everyone’s starting to gather around us.
“Yes. I will marry you.”
Romano
Simone lets out a squeal as I pick her up again. Still being careful of her belly. I wonder if she got pregnant that first night we were together. Either way, I’ve gotten what I want. A beautiful wife and a baby to cherish. I’m lucky that Simone is okay with how I am. I was possessive with Amara. But Simone? I don’t want her out of my sight. Which gets hard because of my bodyguard duties and the fact that she’s working at the bakery. Now that she’s officially my fiancée, I need to ask one of my club brothers to be her bodyguard. I plan on bringing it up at ournext council meeting, which is today. I’ll also need to tell my club about what Simone and Lucy have been through. So in case their parents find them here, everyone’s prepared.
After everyone goes back to the barbecue, I slip the ring I got her on her finger.
“Oh my goodness. This is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen,” she says softly.
I had it custom made for her. It has a butterfly that’s made up from all different jewels. I wanted her to have an original engagement ring. And we will pick out our wedding rings together. I want her to be my wife before we have our baby.