Chapter 146. HONEYMOON (END)

Chapter 146. HONEYMOON (END)
Joshua gripped my hand tightly. I thought he was going to take me to our suite, but he didn't. He led me out of the hotel. We walked hand in hand along the sidewalk, mingling with the hurried pedestrians. Joshua still didn't say a word to me. I tried to ignore his behavior, because he always did. I enjoyed the beautiful night view of downtown Rome. All this hustle and bustle felt different from the usual bustle I usually find in Chicago or New York.
"Why are we here?"
"To cool you off."
"Excuse me, shouldn't that be you?"
"His name is Carlos."
I frowned, confused. We were still walking down the sidewalk, mingling with the hurried pedestrians, when he suddenly said something off topic.
"Are we talking about the Italian mafia?"
"We're talking about the guy I beat up, whose bloody blood splattered on my shirt."
"Don't jump to names. You're confusing me."
“I’m not a convoluted person like you.”
“Whatever,” I snorted.
“So, who’s this Carlos?”
“He’s just some kind of fucking rat who wants a piece of Calozo’s cheese. He used to work for Sergio before he defected. He wants to be the boss. He’s gathered some idiots to work under him.”
“Is he coming to attack us?”
“I guessed so. I spotted him as we exited the runway. He followed our car to the hotel.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to panic.”
“And I’m guessing you wouldn’t have planned on telling me at all if I hadn’t found the bloodstain.”
Joshua remained silent. He intended to keep the matter to himself.
“Josh, didn’t you promise not to keep any more secrets from me?”
“It’s nothing. Just a piece of shit with the Italian mafia. I don’t want to ruin your dream vacation.”
I stopped in front of a park filled with teenagers and a few couples. I pulled Joshua over to sit on an empty bench.
“I assure you everything is clear. There will be no more disturbances. I promise. Sergio will make sure Carlos and all his followers don’t come near us.”
“Did you kill him?”
“I was about to before Erick pulled my shoulders away from him. I just left him bruised.”
I sighed softly.
“What did I expect from marrying a mobster,” I muttered.
“I told you not to expect anything from me.”
“Well, you know I’m stubborn and a rule-breaker. My mother used to tell me to stay out of danger, but I did the opposite. Scott asked me to stay away from the FBI, but I enrolled in the academy the same day he asked me to stay away from the FBI. You asked me not to expect anything from you, but I had high hopes for you.”
I cupped Joshua’s face and pulled him to look at me.
“I expect you to be honest with me. No matter how bad it is, you have to tell me. It would be better for me to know the truth, even if it hurts. If I had known this from the start, I wouldn’t have asked you to take me to Italy.”
“It was your dream. You love this place.”
“There are other places that are more beautiful and amazing. I love this place because of you. You're the one who makes it special. This is where we first spent time as a real couple. No surveillance cameras, no that bitch Alana, no guards. Just you and me.”
Joshua stared at me intently before chuckling softly.
His laugh was unnatural. He seemed to be holding it back because he wasn't used to laughing so loudly in public.
I hit his arm.
“Laugh freely. Don’t hold it back.”
“This is how I laugh. Don’t ask for more of this.”
“From now on, I’ll make sure you laugh more often. You have me, Melissa, and the twins. I’m your ride or die.”
I placed his palm on my stomach. My belly wasn't that big yet, but it was already bulging beneath the loose blouse I was wearing.
“You’re not alone, Josh. We’re family. We’ll be together forever. You remember the promise we sealed at the altar, right?”
“Until death do us part?”
“Tsk, not that one!”
I smacked his arm in annoyance.
“It’s only been three days, and you’ve already forgotten? Seriously, Josh?! Are you that old that you forget so easily, huh?”
I smacked his arm repeatedly. Joshua just chuckled softly before holding my wrists above my head.
“I remember it, baby.”
His blue eyes stared intently at me.
“I remember everything about you. We’ll be together forever.”
“Nothing can tear us apart,” I murmured against his lips.
“I’m a sinner. A murderer. A mobster. I know there’s no place for me in heaven. But you, you’re an angel. Your place is in heaven.”
“What the hell are you talking about? You’re beating around the bush, Josh.”
“Fuck. You’re ruining the best part.”
“I don’t get it. Just tell me the point. Don’t beat around the bush. You’re not cut out for that,” I patted his cheek lightly.
“Fine. The point is, nothing can tear us apart. If you go to heaven someday, I’ll do everything I can to be by your side. Even if I have to do penance every day, give up all that dirty business, and become a saint, I’ll do it for you. Only for you.”
My lips curved into a wide smile.
It was only the first day of our two-week honeymoon, and Joshua was already making me melt with his words. I couldn't imagine what the next two weeks would bring. I might actually melt like hot chocolate.
"Say something," Joshua stroked my cheek gently.
I stared at him like an idiot.
"We should go back to the hotel. I've been leaving Melissa with Mia for too long."
"She's agreed to look after Melissa tonight."
"What?"
Joshua nodded.
"I asked her to look after Melissa tonight because I couldn't possibly miss the warmth of my wife's body tonight. Let's go back to the hotel."
"Josh?"
"What?"
"Are you serious?"
"You know that I never joke around with you."
Joshua growled as I sat there on the park bench like an idiot.
"Fiona. Don't test my patience. You married the most impatient and short-tempered man."
I jumped to my feet and hugged his neck tightly.
“I love you.”
“I’m not you. I need real action, not just words.”
“Okay,” I looked up at him arrogantly. “Let’s go back to the hotel. I’ll prove to you that I truly love you.”
“You better not disappoint me, Mrs. Lident.”
“Nope. Because you’ll only get the best from me, Mr. Lident. Let’s go.”
We walked hand in hand back to the hotel, my head resting on his strong bicep. This had been the craziest, but sweetest, honeymoon of my life. I was sure we’d have plenty more in the next two weeks.
“Josh…”
“Hmm?”
“I want to go on a yacht in Venice.”
“Hmm.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’ll have it, Mrs. Lident.”
“I love you, Mr. Lident! Two days on a yacht with first-class amenities.”
I exclaimed happily and kissed his cheek.
"You're being unfair to Melissa. She can't ask anything of me, but I have to grant all your wishes."
"Of course. Because I'm the woman who will be with you for the rest of your life. So, be nice to me, sir."
I patted his chest gently and rested my head on his bicep again.