Ch. 251..255: Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad Chapter 251-255

Chapter 251

"Really, Fay," Kent says, pretending to ignore Bianci and putting a solicitous hand on my shoulder, though I know that both of our attention is firmly on the Don. "Let's get you home -" "One moment," Bianci says, holding up a single finger as we turn to the door. "I have one offer which we have not considered."

Kent looks at me, all concern, and I sigh before giving a hesitant shrug, suggesting that I guess I can make it just one more moment. I see a muscle flick in Kent's jaw as he hides his smirk before turning back to his family. "All right," Kent says, all business.

"One final job, Kent." Bianci says, finally saying the thing he's been waiting to offer all evening. "And then, once complete, I will relieve you of your debt to our family. Though you, of course, will always be welcome as our son." Kent's posture changes now as the power passes to him. He slips his hands smoothly into his pockets as he holds Bianci's gaze.

"How long is the job?" he asks, his voice clipped.

"Eight months," Bianci replies.

"Make it four," Kent replies and Bianci spreads his hands out, tacitly agreeing. Inwardly I smile, because I know Kent changed the timeline for me. He wants it done before the baby is born.

"And the job?" Kent asks, pressing now.

"Within your wheelhouse," Bianci replies, cagey. "Though not without its challenges."

"All right," Kent says, nodding a little now. "But I want one thing."

Surprised at this counter, Bianci raises his eyebrows, inviting Kent to ask.

"Gio," Kent says, nodding to his nephew, who raises his brows. Alessi goes rigid in his chair. "For the timeline of the job. I want him on my crew."

"Why?" Alessi asks, genuinely baffled.

"Daniel trusts him," Kent says, looking over at Gio now, pretending to look the young man up and down as if he himself has some doubts. "Plus, I'll want a direct line to you at all times. This is the offer I'll accept. One job, four months, and Gio comes with me." My eyebrows raise as I realize that it's not that Kent wants Gio's help, or that he's trying to help Gio.

Instead, it's that...Gio's kind of a hostage, isn't he? If Bianci pulls anything...we've got his heir.

Excitement builds in me and I fight a smile as I realize the cleverness of Kent's final move, which he has perhaps been waiting to make all night.

Bianci takes a moment, staring between us, his fingers tight around his drink.

Kent stares right back at him, unmoving, for a long tense moment.

Finally, Bianci speaks.

"Done," he snaps, giving a single nod and I clench my teeth to keep from breaking out into a smile. "When do we iron out the details?"

Kent glances at me, looking me up and down. "We can come back in the -"

"Oh, that's all right," I say, smoothly interrupting and reaching out to put a sweet hand on his forearm. "Why don't you stay now, Kent? Get everything figured out."

I turn slowly, smiling at Gio. "My new cousin can help me downstairs, can't he? Help me find Daniel? I'm sure my husband can take good care of me."

Slowly, Gio gets to his feet.

Kent's arm tenses under my fingers and I turn my gaze back to him, looking up into his face. A smile finally breaks onto my face as I see him smiling back at me. "That's a good plan, Fay," he murmurs, leaning forward and pressing a quick, fatherly kiss to my forehead. I almost laugh at the ridiculousness of it, knowing that it's the mere shadow of the kiss he's going to give me later, when he's going to be acting as anything but a father to me. But, well, I tuck that all away now as Gio comes to my side. "Come, Fay," Gio says, his face all solicitousness. "Let's get you to Daniel."

"Thank you," I say, but I ignore his offered arm and move to Bianci instead, slipping my hands into the Don's and offering him two kisses on his cheeks.

"Thank you, nonno," I murmur, giving him a real smile. "This is a gift. I'm so pleased we can do business together."

"I am as well, little donna," he murmurs, smirking at me. "You are a clever girl."

I shrug and murmur that I'm no such thing, moving to Alessi to give him his own set of kisses before moving back to Gio and taking his arm.

"See you downstairs, Kent!" I call over my shoulder as Gio and I move towards the door. "Try not to stay too late."

And then, with a final wave, I leave the bosses to their business and step out the door.

When the door snaps shut behind us, Gio's face breaks into a wide grin and he wraps an arm around my shoulder, hurrying me down the hall and away from the door. When we get halfway down the stairs, he bursts into laughter and shakes his head at me, thrilled. I can't help laughing along with him his joy is infectious.

"That was brilliant, Fay," Gio says, shaking his head at me as we together hurry downstairs. His face falls suddenly as he hesitates, "I mean, unless you are actually sick? Are you - are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Gio," I say, grinning and patting him on the shoulder. He smiles again and we restart our quick journey down the stairs.

"Seriously, though," he gushes, grinning, "I've never seen someone turn the tables on nonno like that - he and dad were playing their usual game, and you just cut through it like - uh, what is the phrase? Like a hot knife with the butter?"

I laugh, shaking my head a little and flicking my hand to dismiss it. "You're overstating it, Gio," I murmur. "It wasn't impressive - any pregnant person could have made the same claim."

"Yes," Gio says, nodding as we reach the empty great room on the first floor and leading me across it, heading I think for the kitchens. "But that is what is so clever - nonno, he never negotiates with women for a reason - because you can pull cards like this. If you were a man, nonno could have called you rude for wanting to leave early. But a pregnant woman?" He laughs with delight.

"And!" Gio continues as we pass through the mostly empty kitchen, "the fact that you knew it, and played your role with such confidence?" He pats me on the back as we head for the door to the back patio where he instinctually knows the rest of the party must be gathered. "It was very good, Fay. Kent and papa - they were impressed too."

"And nonno?" I ask, curious as we walk out onto the back patio to a great cheer from the remining party guests - about twenty of what looks like the closest family, I'm guessing.

"Don't worry about nonno," Gio says, shaking his head. "He didn't like it, but you didn't force him to offer anything he wouldn't have given in the end."

I smile at Gio, pleased and considering that I'm glad we're going to have him on our side now, genuinely hoping that we can help him get out too, if this isn't the life he wants.

Gio smiles back at me, I think likewise pleased to be on our team.

"Well," Daniel says, coming over to us and handing Gio a drink before slipping an arm around my shoulders. When he moves to my side, I see that Janeen and Jerome have come over with him. "How did it go?"

"It went pretty good," I say with a little shrug, grinning up at my husband. "And the best part is that we have a new cousin to take home with us for four months!"

I wave a hand at Gio, grinning, my eyes going directly to Janeen.

"What!" Daniel exclaims, his face bursting with joy as he laughs and throws his arms around Gio. "Really!? You're coming with us?"

"I am!" Gio says. "Your dad asked for me, and so I will come!"

"Oh, good job, Fay," Janeen murmurs, her little cat's grin again finding her lips. "Christmas has come early for me this year."

"Disaster," Jerome sighs, covering his face with his hand as he slumps against Janeen's shoulder. "Is this the end of us, my love? Over as soon as it began?"

"We'll always have that one night, my love," she murmurs, dramatically cupping his cheek in her palm, "when you kicked me in your sleep, and I almost stabbed you for it."

"Memories," he says, nodding to her and struggling to keep a straight face. "That will last a lifetime."

"What on earth are you two talking about?" Gio asks, looking between Janeen and Jerome in complete confusion.

We all burst out laughing at this, and Gio smiles, wanting to join in but still not getting it.

"We'll tell you when we get home," Daniel says with a sigh, his arm warm around his cousin's shoulders.

And I nod, agreeing to it because...

Well, if Gio's going to be living with us for four months?

I'm certainly not going to be sneaking out the window every night. So, we'll have to let him in on our little set of secrets - and then, truly, we'll know whose side he's on.

 

Chapter 252

We stay quite late at the Bianci house that night, waiting for Kent to wrap up the deal. I admit that I'm fading a bit towards the end, my head on Daniel's shoulder and my eyes drifting shut, wondering if I'm going to have to crash on a couch or something -

But the Italians? Man, can they party.

Even though I'm out of steam and I can tell Janeen and Jerome are flagging as well, the Bianci family keeps pouring drink after drink, shouting around the table cheerfully in a language I don't understand. I don't mind, though - the atmosphere is so warm and cheerful, and it's good to see Daniel be the center of attention.

Eventually, though, another cheer goes up when Kent and Alessi emerge from the back door, more drinks poured to welcome them. Kent greets his family warmly, but I note that his eyes move to me as soon as he has a chance. He frowns at what he sees and sets his glass down, hardly having tasted his drink.

"No, Kent!" Natalia says, moving close to him as she clicks her tongue and gesturing at the abandoned glass, protesting in Italian.

"I'm sorry, Natalia," Kent says, switching to English so those of us who don't speak the native tongue can understand. "But my pregnant daughter-in-law needs her sleep."

Natalia waves her hand, dismissing the point. "We can have beds made up here - it is no trouble! It has been so long since we have had our Kent here, in his home. Please, stay!" She wraps her arm around his and looks up at him with wide eyes as the rest of the family shouts their protests at the idea that he would leave

My eyebrows raise at the way Natalia presses herself tight against Kent's tall form, clearly inviting him to enjoy more than just his family's company tonight.

A smile pulls at his lips, but Kent looks away from his ex. "Sorry, Natalia," he sighs, looking towards where our little party of Americans is gathered with Gio standing behind us. "We're homebound tonight. Ready?"

I stand, giving Natalia an exaggerated little pout that makes her narrow her eyes at me - because we're both well aware that Kent is leaving for me, even if we think that it's for different reasons.

It's a big long goodbye then as we work our way to the front of the house, Natalia especially staying close to Kent's side and murmuring to him that he could stay -

I sigh and roll my eyes at Daniel a little because I can't help being a tiny bit jealous. I don't like her hands on him. Daniel just laughs with me and presses a comforting hand to the small of my back. "She doesn't know, Fay," he whispers, grinning at me. "It means you've done a good job. Let her shoot her shot - who cares."

I just shake my head as we head for the car out front, Gio coming to walk by our side as Kent hangs back, saying his final goodbyes to nonna.

"Don't you have anything to bring?" I ask Gio, frowning a little at his empty hands.

"What, Daniele cannot loan me some pajamas?" Gio says, grinning at me. "My mother will send my clothes along - I am just eager to get out of here."

"Eager to get out?" I ask, tilting my head at him. "Or eager to begin spying?"

"Spying, Fay?" Gio says, twirling his car keys too-casually around his fingers, a big grin crossing his face. "What, do you have any secrets worth discovering?"

I narrow my eyes at him, winding my arms around Daniel's waist, but there's no time to answer as Kent comes forward.

"Come on," he says, unlocking the car and nodding towards it.

"Daniele," Gio says, catching Daniel's arm. "Come with me in my car."

Daniel hesitates, looking at me.

"I'll go in Gio's car!" Janeen says instantly, her eagerness making me laugh.

"Come on, Janeen," I say, snagging her arm as she starts towards Gio's pretty car. "Those two need to patch some things up." I send a wink over my shoulder to Daniel and pull Janeen along with me.

"You were never such a c**k block, Fay," Janeen grumbles, even though she allows me to pull her along, "before you got all mafia."

"You're throwing yourself at him, Janeen," I counter, opening the back door for her as Jerome climbs in the other side, giving his boyfriend the space he needs to talk things through with Gio on the ride home. "Yah," Janeen says, rolling her eyes at me. "I'm the slutty sister, it's kind of my method."

"Go to sleep," I say, laughing and ignoring her as I push her into the back seat. Then, eager, I climb into the front seat.

"You just wanted Daniel gone so you can ride shotgun," Kent murmurs, smirking at me as he starts the car.

"Yup," I say, reclining my seat back despite Janeen's squeak of protest from the back seat when I invade her space. "More room for napping."

"Not going to keep me company?" Kent murmurs, starting to pull out of the drive.

"Not a chance," I reply, exhausted by the stress of the day as well as my pregnancy. "Talk to Jerome."

"Nope," Jerome says from the back seat, laying down so that his head is in Janeen's lap. "Your crazy Italian family got me too drunk. You're on your own, Kent."

"Pathetic," Kent murmurs, "the lot of you." But I just smile, because I know he doesn't mean it, and I'm asleep before we hit the highway.

I sleep the entire way home and am shocked, really, by how refreshed I feel when Kent's hand brushes against my arm, waking me once we've pulled into the driveway of our little villa.

"Are we home already?" I ask, stretching my arms above my head and smiling at him. "Is Daniel home too?"

"They're pulling in now," Kent says, nodding towards the headlights pulling down the drive. As I glance into the back seat, I see that Janeen and Jerome have already gotten out of the car. I raise my eyebrows, surprised at how soundly I slept. Then I turn my eyes back to Kent.

"What's the plan?" I ask, thinking of how Gio's going to be incorporated into our home.

"What do you want it to be?" he asks quietly.

Slowly, I shake my head. "I don't want to live with secrets anymore, Kent," I answer, my voice almost a whisper. "That was the whole point. If there's any way we can trust Gio..."

"All right," he murmurs, leaning forward to kiss my cheek. "Then let's get him inside and ask some questions."

"You're not too tired?" I ask, my eyes shifting to see Daniel and Gio climbing out of his car after it parks.

"Too tired for an interrogation?" Kent asks, grinning at me and cocking his head to the side. "Come on, Fay. That's the only part of being a mafia don that's actually fun."

I burst out laughing and climb out of the car, heading into the house with Kent at my side. When we come inside I see that Janeen and Jerome have sobered up a little and are waiting, a little too casually, in the living room for us. Gio, walking in at Daniel's side, raises his eyebrows when he sees us all waiting in the main area of the house, not heading off to our separate rooms.

"What?" he says, looking around at us with curiosity. "It is nearly two in the morning. We are not going to bed?"

"Nope," Kent says, curling a finger at Gio and beckoning him into the kitchen, where he pours two glasses of whiskey. "You. Come here. Now."

Gio goes still at Kent's tone, I think for the first time realizing that he's speaking to Don Lippert, not his friendly uncle Kent.

And then, a little tentative, he starts to make his way to the kitchen.

Chapter 253

Daniel snags a bottle of wine and some wine glasses out of the kitchen before going to sit with Janeen and Jerome in the living room - close enough to be on hand if Kent needs to inform them of anything, but far enough to give Kent and Gio privacy. I step towards the kitchen, my eyes catching on a little note on the counter as Kent and Gio lean against the granite, beginning to speak in low tones.

Gone to bed, love you - Papa

I smile, giving the note a little pat with my fingers and then moving to stand next to Kent.

Kent and Gio immediately go silent, turning to me.

"What?" I ask, crossing my arms across my chest, looking between them.

"Fay," Kent says, glaring at me a little, his meaning immediately clear even though he doesn't explain himself with words. His expression clearly reads that this is a private chat.

"Oh, whatever," I say, rolling my eyes and huffing a little laugh. "We bought your freedom with my money, Kent. I'm staying for this."

"Fay!" Kent growls, his glare deepening - because I am obviously messing with his plan.

"If you want me gone you're going to have to carry me away," I say, raising my eyebrows at him. His growl deepens, letting me know that he has no problem with that. "And lock me up," I add, pointing a finger into his face. "Because I'm just going to come right back from wherever you put me."

Kent exhales slowly and then turns his face away from me, talking only to Gio and pretending I'm not there. I smile and set my shoulders, pleased to have won.

Gio looks between us for just a second, a little smile on his lips, but he pays attention to Kent when he starts to talk.

"What are you here for, Gio?" Kent asks, dead serious. "Tell me now - the truth. Because if you're here as your grandfather's spy it will go better for you if you tell me now, rather than me finding out later."

"I promise, Zio," Gio says, his face suddenly serious. "I am here for what we talked about yesterday. I want out. I want to help you with your plan, and in exchange I want you to get me out as well."

"So, it's that simple? Your allegiance passes from your grandfather to me? I don't buy it." Kent leans in, creating tension between himself and his nephew. I watch curiously, wondering how I could replicate that kind of pressure even though I don't have Kent's physical dominance.

"Think about what's in it for me," Gio says, his voice almost pleading now. "The life I want - my grandfather refuses to let me live it. Unless you think I went to medical school, and continue to work part-time in a hospital, as some kind of elaborate ploy?" I turn my head in consideration of that it would be unnecessarily elaborate.

I, for one, buy Gio's story.

But I'm notoriously more soft-hearted than Kent.

The interrogation goes on for about forty-five more minutes with Kent liberally refilling Gio's glass, loosening his tongue. I watch it all silently, fascinated, even though I see Janeen fall asleep on the couch. Jerome likewise slackens, though Daniel keeps patiently awake, flicking through his phone.

But Gio's story doesn't change, nor does he break. In the end, I see Kent nod, not precisely satisfied but at least willing to make his next move. I perk up when he stands up straight from the counter, reaching into his back pocket.

"No matter what your plans," Kent says, producing his phone and placing it face-up on the counter, the recording app open and ready to play. "I have this as collateral. And I won't hesitate to play it for your father and your grandfather." He presses the screen then, letting Gio in on the fact that he recorded their conversation this morning.

"Good," Gio says, raising his eyebrows. "I'm glad you have collateral, Kent. I'll give you more if you want it."

"I don't need more," Kent says, holding his nephew's gaze with his own dark glare - a look so menacing even I blink at it in surprise. "You need to know, Gio, that you're my man now. And if you betray us, in any way, I won't hesitate to kill you. This recording is nothing. What I will actually do to you is much, much worse."

"Good," Gio says, nodding steadily at Kent. "I understand. I welcome it. I'm not f*****g with you, zio. I'm your man."

My mouth drops open a little in shock with the casual way that Gio accepts Kent's words. "Wait, seriously?" I say, stepping forward and peering into Gio's face. "He - your own uncle - the man who taught you how to kick a soccer ball - threatens to kill you and you're just like 'sure yeah, what else is new?""

Gio grins at me suddenly. "You're slipping, Fay," he says, leaning back on the countertop. "You forgot that I grew up in this world - I know how to play my cards."

"What?" I ask, stepping back a little. "How did I slip?"

"Fay," Kent sighs, running a hand down his face.

"How did you know," Gio says, looking at me slyly, "that Kent taught me to kick a futbol?" he asks.

I curse inwardly, suddenly realizing that Kent must have said that this morning...when I was hiding in the closet. When I wasn't supposed to have heard it.

I narrow my eyes at Gio now, though I can't help the little smile that pulls at my lips. "What, is that not a common uncle nephew activity in Italy?" I ask, raising an eyebrow and giving a little shrug.

"Just as common," Gio murmurs, his grin deepening so that his dimples show, "as uncles who sleep alone in beds, but leave indents on two pillows by the headboard."

"Enough," Kent growls even as I gasp a little, my smile growing at Gio's cleverness.

Damn. And I really did think that I'd away gotten with that one.

"Before this conversation goes any further, I need to know that you understand what you're signing up for. And what awaits you at the end of this road if you even think about betraying me. Or her. Or Daniel, or anyone else in this house." Slowly, Kent sticks out his hand.

"I understand," Gio says, his smile fading a little as he nods seriously to Kent and slips his hand into his. "I accept it. I'm your man, Kent, I swear it."

"Fine," Kent growls, giving one final shake of Gio's hand before dropping it with a sigh. Then he quickly lifts his glass of whiskey to his lips and drains it in one swift motion before setting it back on the counter with a heavy clink and reaching for me.

I barely have a chance to gasp before I'm up in Kent's arms, and then I burst out laughing as he carries me away towards our bedroom.

"Wow," Daniel says, watching as Kent strides past the living room and I give a little wave. "Guess there's no more secrets in this house."

"Nope!" I call over my shoulder. "Night everyone! Leave us alone until noon!"

Kent doesn't look back, but I do, noting Gio's satisfied smile as he watches us disappear around the corner, just as Daniel slings an arm around Jerome's shoulders, tugging him close as he raises his glass of wine in Gio's direction. "Welcome to the family, Gio," Daniel says as Kent pushes through our door. "You've met my boyfriend, Jerome."

I gasp a little, wanting to see what happens next, but Kent just kicks the door shut.

 

Chapter 254

"Nooo," I whine, reaching back for the door. "I want to see! Gio's going to find out that Janeen is single -"

"As if he doesn't already know," Kent murmurs, carrying me directly to bed. "Besides, your sister's love life isn't a telenovela -"

"Um, isn't it?" I ask, pulling back and staring up at him like he's crazy. Kent just looks down at me and laughs, coming to the side of our bed.

"Seriously?" he asks, raising his eyebrows at me. "Because I'll take you back out there if you want - but I am going to bed. And if I'm alone in here, I'm going to sleep." "Fine," I grumble, snuggling myself closer to him with a little contented sigh. "Take me to bed, Lippert. I'll get my updates in the morning."

"As you wish," he murmurs, sinking down onto the bed and taking me with him, tucking his face between my neck and my shoulder and pressing a lingering kiss there.

I sigh, running my fingers through his hair, finally fully content. "Are you happy, Kent?" I ask quietly. "Did it all go the way you wanted it to?"

"It did," he murmurs, raising his face to look at me, cupping my cheek in his palm and stroking his thumb over my cheekbone. "It went well, Fay. You did your job and I did mine. Now we just have one last thing to do before we can start our life." "Hate to break it to you, Kent," I whisper, my lips turning up in a smile. "But our life already started."

"Our peaceful life," he murmurs, nudging my nose with his. "Free from crime."

"Maybe a little bit of crime," I whisper back, holding up my fingers so he can see my thumb and forefinger pinched together. "Just to keep things spicy."

This makes him laugh, rolling back on the bed and pulling me with him. I give a little shriek that I don't really mean and snuggle closer to Kent when I find us in our favorite position for our quiet talks - face to face, my leg hooked behind the back of his, my pregnant stomach pressed tight against him.

Kent strokes my hair and looks at me a little sleepily, contentment in every line of his face.

"Do you think Gio's really on our side?" I ask, playing with the buttons on the front of his shirt.

"I'm as sure as I can be," Kent answers quietly. "You can never really be sure. But I meant what I said, Fay - and he knows that I mean it."

"That you'll kill him?" I ask quietly, flicking my eyes up to his.

"I'll kill anyone who puts you at risk - puts us at risk. Our family."

I nod, understanding.

"Are you okay with that?" he asks, looking at me seriously.

I nod again, letting him see that I am. Because honestly, I feel precisely the same way. And while Janeen earlier this week pointed out the ways that Kent and I are opposites, I am well aware that this is the part of our personality that fits together neatly as a match. Both Kent and I have no problem extinguishing completely the threats to those we love. On this, we're united.

He smiles at me, bringing his face closer. "I like it when you're vicious, Fay," he growls. "Perhaps a little more than I should."

"Well, this bodes well for me, Kent," I murmur, wrapping my fingers in his shirt and using my leverage there to yank him closer to me. "Because I intend to be very cruel to you tonight."

"Oh really," he murmurs, turning suddenly so that his body is leveraged over mine in a way that steals my breath. His hand travels down my side, bunching the skirt of my dress as it goes until his fingers find the skin of my thigh, slowly traveling up it. "And what, precisely, did you have planned."

"The worst thing you can imagine," I whisper, my voice throaty and low as I look up at him from beneath my lashes, letting him see every inch of how much I want him.

"Enlighten me," he murmurs, his hand taking a full grasp of my ass as he lowers his lips to my neck.

I moan a little, burying my fingers in his hair. "I'm going to start," I reply, my words breathy, "by telling you everything I think Janeen is saying to Gio right now, and every reason why I think it's going poorly-" "What!?" Kent snaps, pulling back suddenly to glare at me.

I burst into laughter, unable to help myself. Kent growls in displeasure, which only make me laugh harder. "What!" I say, propping myself up on my elbows when he pulls away. "I said I was going to be cruel to you, Kent! This is the best way I know how! This will be torture for you."

Glaring at me, Kent undoes the buttons on his shirt and starts to yank it off. I bite my lip a little, heat starting to pool in my core. I press my legs together against the need growing there at the sight of him angry at me. God, I love it when he's all riled up.

"If you need me to teach you a lesson about the right time for jokes, Fay," Kent snaps, lowering himself over me again, glaring at me with a violent heat in his eyes. "I am more than happy to oblige."

"Go ahead and teach me, Kent," I say, drawing a finger down his chest with a dirty little smirk. "I have a feeling I have a lot to learn tonight."

Fast, Kent's hand goes to the back of my neck, gripping me there as he lowers his body, his weight pressing me deliciously down. My lips are already parted in a moan when he brings his mouth to mine.

I wake up before Kent the next morning, which is my favorite. I smile a little, all tangled up in him, and take a minute to admire his sleeping face. No one else gets to see him like this, in repose, which is really a shame for everyone else. Because he is absolutely gorgeous.

My eyes drift over the contours of his face, his full lips, the stubble growing dark on his chin and cheeks. His lashes - longer than is fair, on a man - cast delicate shadows on the skin beneath his eyes. God, even the furrows of his brow are sexy, because I know precisely how they knit together when he glares at me, or at anyone, which is perhaps Kent at his hottest.

Quietly, I wonder if Kent commands so much control because he's scary? Or if he's just so gorgeous that everyone - men and women - do what he wants.

I sigh, a little jealous.

"What?" he mutters, his eyes still shut, making me jump and then laugh.

He cracks an eye open, looking at me a little blearily. "Is something wrong?" he murmurs. "Because if it is...go fix it. And let me sleep."

"Nothing's wrong," I sigh, snuggling myself closer to him and tucking my head beneath his chin, pressing a quick kiss to his clavicle. "You're just really pretty."

He hums discontentedly in his chest, muttering something about how I didn't have to wake him up for that because he already knows, making me laugh again and smack him a little.

"Don't be conceited," I murmur. "It doesn't look good on a dad."

"Everything looks good on me," he sighs, his arms tightening around me in a sweet hug that makes happiness flood me from head to toe.

God, this man. I love him so much, even if he his full of himself.

"How'd you sleep?" Kent asks, pulling away a little and peering down at me. I turn my face up to his, smiling.

"Good," I report. "It is very nice to wake up unstressed. I like it when my plans are all done and I can finally pass everything on to you." I stretch my arms above my head, relishing the feeling.

"Don't get too ahead of yourself there," Kent sighs, pulling me close again. "I'm going to need your help on this little task Bianci has given me."

"Really?" I ask, surprised. Honestly, I figured it was going to be something that spoke much more to Kent's skills than my own. I pillow my head on Kent's arm, newly curious about what Bianci wants Kent to do - wants us to do. "Really," Kent murmurs, stroking my face. "I'm not marrying you just for your pretty face, Fay. I need your mind in this line of work."

"Oh really?" I ask, my face bursting into a grin. "We're getting married now?"

"Aren't we?" he asks, raising an eyebrow at me like it's a settled question.

I burst into laughter. "I've said it before, Kent," I sigh, sitting up so I can look down at him, my hair spilling over my shoulders, "but I'm already married. And I love my husband very much."

"I've heard," Kent replies, turning on his back and pulling me forward a little so that I lean over him, "that your husband is merely a pale imitation of me." He plays idly with the ends of my hair.

"I will not take such slander of my beloved," I snap, pretending an offense I don't feel and pulling away quickly, hopping out of bed.

Kent snatches after me but misses, letting out an angry growl.

"We're getting married, Fay!" he calls after me as I walk stark naked into the bathroom, ready for my day.

"We'll see, Kent!" I call back, laughing. "Maybe you should ask me first!"

But I don't wait for a reply, closing the bathroom door behind me as my hand drifts idly over my baby bump, my mind distracted with by the more pressing thought of breakfast pancakes.

 

Chapter 255

About half an hour later, freshly showered and more appropriately dressed in pajamas and a robe, I push open my bedroom door and give a little squeak of joy to see most of my family already awake gathered in the kitchen and living room. Dad and Kent are the

only ones absent - but Kent's just a minute or two behind, since he got to the shower second.

Janeen sees me and smiles, opening an arm for me, and I quickly scurry to her side, wrapping my arms around her waist. I blow kisses to Daniel and Jerome, waving to Gio before standing on my tiptoes to whisper in Janeen's ear. "Where's dad?" I ask.

"Out for a walk," she replies. "Said something very boring about nature and the countryside."

I nod eagerly, moving on to the real question on my mind. "So?" I hiss. "Did anything happen with Gio after he found out about Janiel!?" Janeen pulls away, grinning at me with glee. "What is Janiel!?"

I cock my head and study her, smiling. "What, is Derome better?" I ask, blinking innocently, which makes her tilt her head back and laugh.

"Tell me!" I insist, tugging on her robe, dying with anticipation.

Janeen heaves a long, sad sigh. "Hate to break it to you, sissy," she says, smiling at me. "But the man is impervious to my charms. I threw everything I had at him last night and he just went to bed!"

"Did you offer to take him with you?" I ask, my eyebrows raised.

"I practically laid rose petals on the ground to show the way," she grumbles, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, Fay, I'm very depressed - I don't want to talk about it anymore."

"Poor sister," I murmur, patting her cheek consolingly. She sighs and nods, accepting all of my pity. "We have to get you to town, find you a nice local guy to take care of you."

"Or six," she corrects, but otherwise she nods at my sage assessment of the situation.

I laugh and kiss her on the cheek as I move to the coffee machine while Kent comes out of our room. The series of hello's go around to him as well as I start to push the buttons on the machine, trying to figure it out. "Let me," Kent says, his voice a little scornful as he knocks my hand aside. "You'll break it."

"Hey!" I say, frowning up at him. "The coffee I'm supposed to be able to do! It's not my fault that you got this machine that makes no sense."

"Go," he says, flicking a hand at me, though he's unable to keep the smile from his lips. "Spare the poor machine your insults. I'll bring you your cup."

I sigh and walk away, my arms crossed, joining Gio at the end of the counter.

"I take it that you are not particularly domestic, Fay?" he asks, sipping at his own cup of coffee that I look at with envy. Seeing the direction of my gaze, Gio slowly slides the cup out of my reach, which makes me laugh.

"I am plenty domestic," I say, giving him a playful little glare as I prop my chin in my hands, leaning forward on the counter. "They're all just fancy snobs."

"There's nothing wrong with appreciating the finer things in life," Gio murmurs and I groan as I look him up and down.

"Oh no," I moan. "You're one of them too. I should have known."

Gio laughs again, shaking his head at me and I smile and stand up straight as Daniel comes to my side, dropping a kiss to my cheek.

"Hello, my horrible, unfaithful little wife," he murmurs, slipping a hand around my waist and pulling me close to his side.

"Hello, gorgeous cheating husband," I say, beaming up at him.

We both laugh and then together turn to Gio, who looks between us in confusion.

"Wait," Gio says, frowning. "So, you two are...actually married?"

"Mmhmm," I say, wrapping my arms around Daniel and resting my head against his chest. "It was a hasty wedding aimed at legitimizing my child so we could trick your grandfather into agreeing to our terms to release Kent from his familial obligations," I say, giving a little shrug as if it's the oldest story in the book.

"You speak...very quickly," Gio says, smirking at me as he sips his coffee. "Even without your caffeine."

"Which makes me doubt giving you this," Kent says, coming over to the three of us and sliding my cup of coffee over to me, which I drop Daniel eagerly to grab. I take a sip as I move to Kent, giving a little hum of happiness as I lean my back against his chest as he wraps his arms loosely around my waist.

"This is a very strange little family," Gio says, narrowing his eyes at us and making me laugh. But Gio smiles too, letting me know he doesn't mind it.

"You get used to it," Jerome says, coming over and hopping up to sit on the counter. "So," he says, leaning forward eagerly to Gio. "When did you figure it all out?"

"Figure what out?" Gio asks, taking another casual sip of his coffee.

"All of the deep dark secrets of this strange little family," Janeen says, joining the group and sipping her own cup of coffee that matches mine, which I grin to realize that Kent made her without her having to ask.

"Oh, almost immediately," Gio says with a smirk.

"Lies," Daniel says, grinning at him. "You're not that clever."

Gio laughs and puts his coffee down. "All right, not immediately," he says, looking around. "Though Fay was the most obvious piece that didn't fit."

My jaw drops open and I give a squawk of protest. "Excuse me!" I say, holding up a finger, "I am not the weak link in this family!"

"No, you played your role very well," Gio says, leaning his weight back into his hind foot as he crosses his arms - a move so like Kent and Daniel that it makes me smile. "But the baby," Gio says, gesturing towards my belly, "with Daniel as the father?" Gio clicks his tongue, shaking his head. "That, I knew, was impossible."

"It's not impossible," Daniel scowls, narrowing his eyes at his cousin. "Your dad bought it."

"Dad does not know you like I know you," Gio says, smirking at Daniel. "Do I need to go into detail about the midnight meetings with the boys from town you thought were so secret? Or should we..."

"Yup." Daniel says, nodding sharply, a quick blush rising to his cheeks. "Moving right on from that."

"So, the question of who was the father of Fay's child," Gio says with a shrug, "was pretty easily answered."

"It could have been any random guy," Kent protests, a little tense behind me. I give another squawk, protesting his language as I turn my head to glare up at him. Kent ignores me.

"It could have," Gio says, smirking at him. "Until you passed her the salt at dinner, Kent, before she asked for it."

"What?" Kent breathes, a little shocked.

I give a little wiggle of triumph. "The Lipperts were the weak links this time!" I say, unable to stop my broad grin, "not the Thompsons!"

"You're a Lippert now, Fay," Daniel reminds me with a little glare.

"What does a little salt have to do with it?" Kent asks, his eyes still on Gio.

"You watch her, Kent," Gio says quietly, holding his uncle's stern gaze. "Without even realizing it. More than I've seen you watch other women - even those who were your...uh girlfriends? Paramours?" He shrugs. "I don't know the word."

I wiggle again, a little smug, but Kent just laughs. I look up to see him shaking his head.

"You're good, Gio," Kent says, smiling at his nephew. "I'm impressed."

"All right, but what about me?" Jerome says, smirking at Gio. "When did you figure out me and Daniel?"

"That one was almost instant," Gio says, his face bursting into a grin. "You are - ah - what is the phrase in America? That you are his type."

We all burst out laughing at this and Daniel covers his face with his hands to hide the blush that reddens his entire face.

"New subject!" Daniel insists, the words blurred by his hands as Gio pats him on the back.

"So, the only one of you with any mystery left at all," Gio says calmly, looking around at all of us until his eyes fall on Janeen, "is this one."

"Who, me?" she says, perking up a little and pressing a demure hand to her chest. "I don't have a secret in the world."

"We'll see," Gio says, turning his head and looking her over, assessing. "That's just what you want everyone to think."

"Damn, Gio," I say after Janeen drops her hand, looking at our newest familial addition in surprise. "Are you sure you shouldn't have gone into psychology? Or like, fortune telling? You read us all like a book."

"Maybe it's what I'll do next," Gio says, giving a little sigh. "Once this next job is done."

"Speaking of which," Kent says, heaving a little sigh as he steps away from me, gesturing towards the dinner table. "I think it's time that we all sat down and had a chat about this. Because there's one last job Bianci has asked me to do, and I'd like to ask each of you for your help."

He pauses a moment, looking around at each of our faces. "And I'll tell each of you precisely what I'm asking of you so that you can decide whether or not you want to do it."

"Kent," I say, stepping closer to him and pressing a hand to his chest. "Of course we'll do whatever you need - you know that -"

"No," he says, interrupting me even as he puts a hand over mine, pressing it tight. "This is different, Fay - that last plan? They did that to help you. This one?" He shifts his eyes from mine now, looking around in the room. "I'm asking you to do it for me, and I'm well aware that that's different. I will understand if you want to say no."

"Okay, Kent," Janeen says, more serious than she usually is. I turn to look at her in surprise. "Let's hear what you've got."

Kent nods and as one we all move to the table.

I leave my coffee behind, my heart beating fast enough now that I don't think I'll need it.