Chapter 163: I Really Hope I Don't Regret This
LORENZO
The low vibration of my phone in my pants pocket startled me awake. My eyes flicked to the body half-draped on mine, and her warmth sank into me. That natural scent I've only ever associated with her filled my lungs as I inhaled softly, not wanting to wake Sancia.
She's deeply asleep, her body fit so perfectly against mine, her thick hair wild and tousled over me, her hand curled at my side, clutching my shirt, her mouth slightly parted.
A surge of emotions so strong hit me, making my chest ache in a good way. Love, protectiveness, possessiveness, happiness, and lastly anger for what she’d gone through.
I knew from my conversation with Zetta that life hadn't been easy for her since that day three years ago.
Last night, I couldn’t sleep after watching her break apart from that bastard's betrayal. I lay beside her and waited until she was deeply asleep before I slipped out of the bed and went looking for Zetta.
We’d talked long into the night while Zetta filled me in on everything that happened in my absence. I was grateful that she decided to come with her. That she’d supported her all these years.
But it pains me to know my Sancia had gone through so much, the loss of her father, uncle, and the thought that I'd really betrayed her and was the cause of her father's death.
Then, giving birth to our son alone, not to mention all the hell her Famiglia gave her for birthing my son, the son of their enemy, and I wasn't there to protect her through it all.
I should have been there beside her, protecting her and our son. Hell, I shouldn't have been so angry and lost my God damn mind, which had given our enemies the chance they've been waiting for, and I'd fallen right into their traps.
But Fabio’s loss had hit me; he was someone I’d vowed to protect, he was the little brother I never had, and I wanted to avenge him. In the end, I didn’t get to avenge him, but I also left my woman and son unprotected. I’d miscalculated, and they’d paid the price.
But I’m going to rectify that; I’m going to fix everything. I will make sure I offer that asshole to her on a silver platter, weed out the traitors in my famiglia.
And then I’m going to prove to her that while I’m not perfect—and let’s face it, I will never be perfect in the way she deserves. I’m going to be perfect in the way she needs.
I will love her fiercely, protect her unwaveringly, and worship her with devotion because my tigre doesn’t need a weak man but one who can hold up the sky and keep her grounded when she stumbles.
I'm going to be that man, and the first step is eliminating the dangers to her life and Dario's. I kissed her pouty lips, grinning when she smiled dreamily, and then I gently slipped out of the bed, making sure I didn't wake my little tigress.
After the rough night she had, she deserves the rest. Fortunately, she rolls away, hugging the pillow, and places herself on the other side. She sighs, her breath evened out.
I grinned as I strolled into her bathroom. I brushed, took a hot shower, and then slid out of the room, just as Dario walked out of his room, eyes sleepy, hair in all directions.
He might look like my carbon copy, but that hair was definitely his mother’s, wild and untamed just like the woman herself.
“Good morning, Son,” I greeted, smiling without approaching him. “Are you going to your mommy?” There was no answer, only more stares. Guess we’re back to getting to know each other again.
But I’m nothing if not patient, I grinned charmingly. “Mommy is sleeping. How about you and I go get breakfast, and then mommy can join us when she wakes?” I suggest stretching my hand for him to take.
For a while, he contemplated that before he finally nodded, then he took my hand, and I lifted him into my arms.
I expected him to try to wiggle out, but to my surprise, he didn’t; instead, he shocked me, wrapping his tiny hands around my neck as we walked down the stairs to the kitchen.
Zetta’s eyes widened when she saw us together, and then her eyes crinkled with joy.
“Good morning, Signor.”
“Good morning, Zetta,” I replied, setting Dario on the chair I’d noticed Sancia put him in to eat last night; it was obviously propped up with a soft pillow, so Dario was high enough to eat comfortably from the dining table.
“And good morning to you, little Signor, “ Zetta greeted, placing an empty bowl in front of Dario, and a box of cereal, a bowl of chopped fruits, and a carton of milk before me, then she turned and continued making her breakfast.
“Would you like me to make you a bowl?” I smiled when he nodded, and so did I. I asked him how he liked it, which fruits he liked, and then quietly watched him eat it all without a fuss. Zetta kept glancing at us, smiling.
“Thank you, Zetta. By the way, where’s Giulia?” I asked after she set down a plate of hot breakfast and a hot cup of black coffee.
“She’s left for college, said something about an early test or something. I nodded before taking a sip of my coffee. I offered Dario some of my scrambled eggs, and he took a few bites before he turned his head away.
“I've been meaning to ask you, if you’re going back with us, or if you'd rather stay with Giulia here?” I asked. I was done eating and drinking my second cup of coffee.
We’d left the kitchen, and I'd invited Zetta because I wanted to know her decision.
Dario is on my lap, half asleep now that he’s sated, and half watching the cartoon playing on the TV.
“I’m going back whenever you are, Signor,” she replied. “I only came here to take care of Signora. I miss Italy and all our people back home. I'm sure Giulia can take care of herself.”
“I thought you would. You can start packing; I'll let you know when we will leave.”
She nodded, turned to leave, then paused, “Did you tell Signora?”
“I will later tonight.” She nodded and walked away.
Sancia has a kind of presence that's fiery and yet calming. It was that same energy I felt behind me late in the evening. I left to attend to some pressing business and got back here an hour ago.
I raised my head from helping Dario with his toys.
She was leaning against the balustrade of the stairs, wearing full workout attire: a black sports bra and matching high-waisted leggings, her thick hair in a high ponytail.
Her beautiful face, holding a hint of determination and stubbornness, I recognized very well.
“Momma,” Dario yelled, running to where she was. She swept him into her arms and kissed his cheeks.
I straightened up, pushing my hands into my pockets, my eyes running over her curves. Then back to her smiling face. She looked better than I expected after all that crying, but then my Sancia was not a weak woman.
“Are you ready?” I asked.
She nodded. “I am. Don't make me regret this.”
“I won’t, this is to help protect you and also help you achieve your goal,” I replied reassuringly.
She nodded, then gently put Dario down.
“Giulia, keep an eye on Dario. If there's anything, we'll be in the gym,” Sancia said.
Giulia nodded from where she was reading on the couch, Sancia turned towards the front door, and I followed closely behind, carrying her gym bag, watching her hips sway in those tight leggings, which had me swallowing hard.
I was surprised when I texted her earlier this morning, after she woke up, that she should get ready; we’re going to train a little, and she agreed to it.
I know my tigress can use a gun, but there are situations where she can't use a weapon, and the only thing that could save her is having a little self-defense skill.
While I can't teach her much in the short time we have, I can ensure she knows enough self-defense to increase her chances of escape in dire circumstances.
She stopped near the SUV, and I took out the key, unlocked it, and opened the passenger-side door for her. “Get in; it’s not that far, so we’ll be there soon.”
“I really hope I don’t regret this.”
“You won’t,” I lied. She probably would.
Honestly, I don’t just want her to learn self-defense; I want to train her to a point where I won’t worry about her getting attacked, because by that time, she’ll be well-equipped to protect herself and even others, and I have faith that my tigress can be lethal if she sets her mind to it.