I proudly step back as I take in my very first Christmas tree. I turn on the lights, and I laugh in glee as it lights up the huge room. "That's insane!" T.J. bounces on the balls of his feet. I enlisted his help today to put the tree up, and I have to admit that I've never felt this childlike joy before. Maybe I wasn't meant to be this hard-shelled person. Maybe the only reason I was like this in the first place was because I never had the chance to experience the simple joys of a Christmas tree. "You guys did a good job." Alma says from the kitchen. I hold my hand up for a high five from my assistant. "We did a great job." He smashes his hand against mine. "Next year, I'll have three new friends to help me!" I laugh, not telling him that those little friends won't be able to do anything but cry and poop. "But this year you're the only kid getting presents." I ruffle his hair. His eyes go wide with excitement. "Do you think my dad will get me a drone?" "If he doesn't, I'll ge

"Good morning, sleepy head." I struggle to open my eyes and moan in pleasure as he rains kisses down my face. "Wake up, baby, we have guests." He chuckles in my ear. In another life I would've attacked him with my knife, but my body is working overtime. This would be a perfect time to kidnap me, actually, because I simply wouldn't have the energy to fight back. "I know you're tired." More kisses on my exposed shoulder. "But it's already eleven, and I told everyone we'll have a wedding brunch." This makes me open my eyes. I'm getting married in one day. Alessandro smiles down at me. "Good morning." I rub the sleep from my eyes. "When did you get in?" He kisses me softly on the forehead. "A few hours ago. Are you okay after yesterday?" There's fury in his eyes, and I lift my hand to rub the frown from his forehead. "I'm good, not even a scratch. Thomas has mad driving skills." I smile. "Okay, let me get up and get the boys fed." He smirks and bends down to kiss me swiftly on

"You look absolutely beautiful." Phoebe whispers behind me, her face stoic. I look at myself in the full-length mirror and take a deep breath. This is it. I'm getting married. I'm twenty-one, pregnant, and on the verge of making the biggest decision of my life. I don't even feel an ounce of fear. I should, because I'm young and technically inexperienced. Plus, I'm in danger just because I'm with Alessandro. But I'm not scared. I haven't felt so one hundred percent sure about anything before. The flowiness of the dress hides the baby bump that seems to be growing by the day. I'm not scared of that either. My body is a vessel for these boys to come through, and I don't care if it has to stretch to maximum capacity for them. "I'm so proud of you." Phoebe hugs me from behind. I smile at her in the mirror. "For getting knocked up and married?" "No, for being the best fucking person a sister could ever ask for." Tears shine in her eyes. "You are my rock, and I couldn't have asked

Something about Mattia is nagging at me. I don't know if it's the smug way he looked at me when he emerged from that bathroom or if it's just my sixth sense going into overdrive. And I hate Raquel with a passion. She nearly killed Dario, so that makes her a murderer as much as me. But what the fuck was she thinking sleeping with her fake fiancée's uncle? That's just plain sleazy. And here I thought she was miss prim and proper, but she's just another ho disguised in designer wear and diamonds. And they call me the dirt under their shoes? But this is my wedding night. Although unplanned, I snagged the most eligible bachelor in the city, and I'm not going to let dirty uncles and debutants stand in the way of enjoying the most delicious thing that's ever been on my plate. The waves outside our bedroom crash against rocks in a harmonic melody, perfect for the mood inside the candle lit room. "Mmm." Alessandro traces a finger down my lace clad arm. "How do I get this thing off withou

I don't want to leave the island. Leaving means we have to face reality again. Back to Alessandro negotiating the terms of the pharmaceutical company's sale, Mattia plotting whatever the hell he's plotting, and Kaito still on the loose. I hope Alessandro is right, I really hope Kaito sees the newspaper article about the wedding and that he would come to his senses. And then I'm still planning on killing Raquel. I have to wait for the right moment to do that, though. So Alessandro better get the deal, I kill Raquel, and we live happy ever after. "I promise we'll have an extended honeymoon." Alessandro kisses the back of my hand after we take our seats on the private jet. "Preferably when I'm not pregnant and looking like a cow." I scoff. "You're beautiful." My husband smiles that panty-dropping smile that he better only reserves for me. "He wouldn't have married you otherwise." Trey jokes from the seat opposite us. "Still can't believe you're married, man." I narrow my eyes at