For Cam (Chicago Syndicate Book 4) (42 page)

“Three, two, one. Happy New Year!” Red heart-shaped balloons drop from the ceiling.

Adriano guides me to stand up and presses his lips to mine while cradling my face. “To a new and healthy year without any time apart for us. Now, there’s one thing still missing from this journey.”

I frown, thinking we’ve covered everything that I missed while I was in a coma.

“The discovery of our pregnancy, our first ultrasound, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, but we haven’t covered Valentine’s Day, hence the red balloons.” Adriano takes a step back and fishes a square black velvet box from inside his jacket. Opening it, he presents me with an engagement ring with a pink square diamond.

The proposal.

The first thing I blurt is, “I have three wedding rings now. It’s beautiful!” My hand shoots out to take it just as Adriano snatches it back.

“May I do my thing first?” he asks around a charming smirk.

“Oh, yes. Sorry.”

He takes the ring out and sets the box on the table. Then he slides it onto my finger, careful not to disturb the bandage covering my tattoo, and doesn’t simply propose. No, Adriano proposes
and
vows to me, “If everything we’ve been through was necessary to be with you, I’d do it all over again. If all of the trials and tribulations were needed to grow old with you, to have this life with you, to have children with you, then I’d do it all over again. I’ll never let you face anything alone. You are the reason I exist, and I want to take care of you forever if you’ll let me. Will you marry me?”

My heart leaps inside of me. But since we
are
already married, of course, I ask first, “Does this mean we’re also going to have a
real
wedding?”

A smile creeps across his face. “Yes, you’re going to get bigger and bigger safely at home while planning the wedding you want. And I’ll be starting up our mission to break Medlov out of jail with Logan and Luca, but I promise that I’ll have a lot of time for you. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

The entire evening has been a whirlwind of emotions, and while I enjoy this moment, he’s getting anxious because of my silence.

“Cam!” His fingers brush my chin. “Woman, this is not the time to retreat into yourself.”

I offer the answer my soul screams, “Yes, yes, yes! You give me everything, but all I need is
you
.” And I fling myself into his arms, causing him to steady himself against the table.

“Ow, you’re heavy,” he utters softly, but I heard it.

“Hey, don’t say that to a pregnant woman,” I joke. “Who is, by the way, your fiancée
and
your wife.”

We laugh at the absurdity of it all, but it’s us. And I also wouldn’t change a thing in our unusual lives.

Adriano holds me up with his arms locked around my thighs, right under my behind, as I weave my fingers into his thick hair, angling his head up while we behold each other.

“I’ll never leave your side either,” I vow to him and let the tips of our noses touch. “And I’ll always keep my promise. I will always be waiting for you at home, in our bed.”

Then he kisses me with raw passion, sending my nerves ablaze with a slow search of his tongue.

“This is our unconventional normal, sweetheart,” he whispers against my mouth.

“I love you so much.”

Adriano’s face is full of pure bliss, as if he’s truly found the peace of mind that he lost when I was trapped in a coma, before he presses his lips to the pulse at my throat. “I love you like I never have or ever will love another. Not even death can tear us apart.”

***

Three months later

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T
he due date has come and gone, and I’m still carrying this child in the sweltering heat of June. If my water doesn’t break soon, they’ll have to induce labor.

Fortunately, we’re ready for her. A few weeks ago, my nesting instinct kicked in, and I hounded Adriano about getting everything ready for our baby girl. So in true Adriano style, he arranged it all within two days. Her ivory crib is in our master suite, she has more clothes than she’ll ever be able to wear, and I got a cute Disney princesses custom-made baby stroller. So, I’m calm because I’m completely ready for the baby to arrive.

I’m lying on the sofa, munching on grapes and watching
Masterchef
while Adriano massages my feet, which are in his lap.

“I love Graham Elliot!” I exclaim, tossing a grape into my mouth.

Adriano promptly stops rubbing my feet, so I wiggle my toes and groan in protest.

“You lose your right to a massage when you say that you love another man,” he teases and theatrically rests his hands behind his head.

I sit up and flinch from the kick to my ribs and a contraction. “Ow.”

Adriano immediately places his hand on my huge stomach. “What?”

“Contractions are stronger now.” Being past my due date, I’m used to having Braxton Hicks contractions, but today, I’ve noticed a difference in them. And as I rise, a gush of liquid rushes down my inner thighs.

Our eyes lock and I smile at him. “It’s time.”

He cradles my face in his hands and presses a hard kiss to my lips. “Then let’s go to the hospital and meet our little girl.”

***

“P
ush, Cam. Push,” so many voices say at once.

“I am!” I scream, sweat beading on my temples as I purse my lips.

“Push. Push!”

“Oh my god. Shut the fuck up!” I throw back.

Adriano rears back and stares at me in complete shock, but when I see a grin tugging at his lips, I practically snarl at him, yet he keeps our hands entwined while I grip him, crushing his fingers. I send him a pleading look because I’m so tired.

He shifts my hair from my face and blows softly, which cools me a bit. “You’re doing great, sweetheart. She’s almost here. Come on, one more time.”

Then I lean forward to push again.

“I can see the head,” Dr. Harper tells me.

Gritting my teeth, I give it all I have while yelling, “Get out!”

Vaguely, I hear people laugh and then another scream.

“Here she is,” Dr. Harper says as I laze back against the bed, breathing harshly. “Meet your baby girl, Cam.”

A lot is happening, but I’m dazed at first, and then the doctor rests my tiny baby, who hasn’t been cleaned up yet, on my chest.

Adriano clasps my hand as we stare at her in wonder. I check all her fingers and toes and touch her swollen, round little face. “Oh, she’s so small. I can’t believe we made this.”

I feel a kiss against my forehead. “She’s absolutely precious. I always knew we’d make a beautiful baby.”

Looking up, I’m met with Adriano’s adoring gaze on me, and he captures my mouth while stroking the baby. Then our focus is back on our girl, and all the pain of labor is forgotten. It’s replaced with bliss of the truest and purest kind.

Her eyes open, and they’re just as dark as Adriano’s.

“She has your eyes,” I say with a smile.

“She looks like you though.”

“You can’t see that,” I retort, and he gently caresses her head.

“Yes, I can. Welcome to the world, Amalia,” Adriano gives her the name we chose together. “I’m going to spoil you so much, my baby girl.” He kisses her head and weaves one of his hands into my hair, promising to me, “And I’m going to spoil you even more as well.
Ti amo, angelo mio
.” I love you, my angel.

We nuzzle each other, brushing our lips while holding on to our little bundle of joy. In a heaven of our own creation in the midst of a Mafia world.

––––––––

The end of Adriano and Cam.

Chicago Syndicate
series – romantic suspense.

For Fallon (#1)
on Goodreads

For Luca (#2)
on Goodreads

For Adriano (#3)
on Goodreads

For Cam (#4)
on Goodreads

The love story of Logan and Rosalia.

For Logan (#5)
on Goodreads

The Original Bad Boys
series – standalone dark, erotic historical romance.

Sins of a Bad Boy
(#1) on Goodreads

Soraya Naomi

––––––––

T
here’s one person who works just as hard on this series as I do, and that’s my amazing editor, Renee. Without you, this series wouldn’t be what it is today. Not only do I appreciate your unique talent as an editor, but I also value our friendship. So thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you to
my Cam
for ensuring Adriano speaks correct Italian. Every time, it’s such a pleasure to learn from you.

Thank you to my beta-readers for your input.

Thank you to my
Lief
.

Thank you to the bloggers, ARC readers, and Street Team for your support and your faith in my Mafia men.

And, as always, thank you to
you
for reading Adriano and Cam’s story.

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