The Baby Contract ((The women of Landry's Landing and the Fabrizio men)) (12 page)

“No that’s okay don’t get up I’ll check.” He said going into the kitchen. Asia followed him entering the kitchen just as he was wrapping a wet towel around his knuckles.

Asia rushed to his side taking his hand in hers. “Here let me. I won’t ask how this happened I’m pretty sure I already know.”

“You think so huh.” Luc said gazing down at her as she tended to his bruised hand. After cleaning his hand with antiseptic she wrapped it then kissed the outside of the bandage.

“There is that better?” Asia asked staring up at him.

He nodded. “Yes that’s better but I think it’s a little sore here on my right jaw.” Luc said pointing to that area of his face. “I think it would feel much better if you kissed it.”

“Fine, I’ll do it this time and
only
this time.” Asia said and he wasted no time lowering his lips to meet her half way. What she’d meant to be quick peck on the lips turned into something completely different when he pulled her into his arms. Her body molded against his as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist holding her closely angling his mouth over hers to deepen the kiss.

When she lifted her arms she’d intended to use them to push him away but found herself looping them around his neck as she stood up on her tip toes to get closer. She could feel his heat seeping through his shirt and hers as he kissed her like a starving man finally being fed. She wasn’t sure how long they had been kissing but he had her moaning form deep within her throat, so she knew it was time to end their kiss before things got out of hand.

Asia slipped her hands between them and pushed at his chest, he reluctantly ended the kiss. He gazed down at her to see if she was going to slap him for kissing her like that. When she just gazed back at him he was relieved.

“I guess we should find that wine and get back out there. Thanks for make me feel better, Asia.” He said with a sincere expression and a warm smile.

Asia went over to the cabinet to take out several wine glasses then walked to the refrigerator to take out two bottles of wine placing all the items on a tray she headed for the swinging door stopping she turned to Luc and smiled.

“I’m glad you feel better, but if you ever do that again, your lips will be sore from me punching you in them.” She then pushed the door open with her butt and left him standing there.

Luc snickered as he watched her leave because even as she spoke those words her eyes told him all he needed to know, that she had enjoyed their kiss as much as he had and she could just count on it happening again. He’d make sure of that.

Pierce sat on the bed pulling Gigi into his arms she was still a bit upset about what had transpired earlier. “Its okay honey, you don’t have to worry about him bothering you anymore.”

“This is all my fault, if I hadn’t gotten involved with that little weasel none of this would have happened. He wouldn’t have stolen our money, so we wouldn’t have taken out that loan and Indy wouldn’t have beaten him in the face with that bat…”

“The point is I did this, he is in our lives because I put him there, me and my bad choices.” Gigi said wiping the tears from her cheeks with back of her hand.

Pierce kissed her gently on the forehead. “Caro none of this is your fault he was responsible for his own actions not you. And we’ve all made bad choices at some point in our lives. Hell if it hadn’t been for Gio I would have married a lying, sneaky, manipulative, gold digging barracuda that was just after my money. So you see we all make bad judgment calls every now and then.”

Gigi sniffled. “At least you found out before she took any of your money that little mongoose had wiped us out before I realized it.”

“It’s over now Caro, he won’t be back.”

“You don’t know that he could come back at anytime, he could wait until I’m alone to come back.” Gigi said franticly becoming even more upset.

“Oh I do know, he will never, ever bother you again. I promise.” Pierce whispered rocking her gently.

“Are you sure that’s a promise you can keep?” She asked with her head resting against his chest. Pierce carefully grasped her chin between his thumb and index finger, tilting her head up so that she could see his face.

“Yes it most definitely is, I’ve never broken a promise and I don’t intend to start now, Caro.”

Pierce kissed her lips before settling her against his chest once again. He pushed her hair away from her face with one hand and soothed his other hand over her stomach. Gigi closed her eyes as she listened to his heartbeat under her ear letting it lull her to sleep. Pierce heard her calm even breathing and knew that she’d fallen asleep. He glanced down at the angry bruise on her upper arm using a feather light touch he stroked his fingers over the bruise but even that had her flinching in her sleep.

“He’ll never hurt you or anyone else again, that’s a promise I’m guaranteed to keep, my love.” He kissed her lips once again as he eased her to bed and pulled a blanket over her before leaving the room.

In the living room after the wine was poured and everyone had a glass in hand they all made small talk about the dinner party that was scheduled to happen in a couple of days. They discussed the wedding that was shortly after that and then the upcoming birth of Pierce and Gigi’s baby.

“So Asia have you finished the menu for the dinner party and the wedding reception?” Indy asked pulling her legs up onto the couch beneath her as she sipped her wine.

“Kind of, I’ve figured out the menu for the reception but I’m undecided about the dinner party. Since Mr. and Mrs. Fabrizio Sr. are coming I want to make sure everything is perfect.” Asia said.

“Hey why not do that pasta dish you made the first night we got here. That was really good and I know mom and dad will love it.” Luc said from his place on the couch next to Asia.

“Luc’s right that would be a great choice, our parents will enjoy anything with pasta.” Gabe added.

“Actually everything you’ve made since we’ve been here has been pretty good. So it really doesn’t matter what you make.” Luc said taking a sip of his wine.

“Wow! Way to suck up bro.” Gabe teased.

“Leave him alone Gabe. Asia, Luc is right all the meals you’ve prepare have been excellent.” Gio said to reassure her.

Asia smiled brightly. “Thanks you guys that makes me feel a lot better about preparing the dinner party menu, it’s kind of nice having you guys around.”

After taking a long sip of his wine he answered. “She’ll be okay once it sinks in that he won’t be back to harm her or anyone else. She finally fell asleep so I thought I’d come out here for a while, seeing that bruise on her arm just made me angry all over again.” He said leaning back against the headrest of the recliner.

“So what did you do with little scum anyway?” London asked.

The Fabrizio brothers exchanged glances but it was Indy who addressed London.

“Whatever they did with him was better than he deserved, because it was left up to me he’d be coming out the opposite end of a wood chipper, so let it go you and Asia can help me fix dinner, I’m sure Gigi will be hungry when she wakes up.” Indy said as she stood from the sofa to head into the kitchen.

“Oh and by the way Indy, nice work with that bat to his face.” Pierce said smiling.

“What he was telling the truth?” Luc asked.

“Well I know who to call when I need someone to have my back and these guys aren’t available.” Gio said grinning. Indy smiled back as she left the room followed by both Asia and London.

“Dang she is full of surprises isn’t she?” Gabe said.

“You have no idea.” Gio replied with a smirk as he sipped his wine.

Gigi was having a nightmare about Rodney finding her alone and attacking her, she opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out. She tried to fight him off but he wouldn’t let go of her he just keep squeezing her arm causing her pain. He started dragging her away from the Inn by the hair, away from her sisters away from Pierce and life she was building. Again she tried to scream but nothing.

Gigi could smell his horrid breath against her face as he laughed at her showing his rusty brown teeth. She kicked and punched but still he wouldn’t let go. Where was everyone? Why wasn’t anyone here to help her? No she wouldn’t let him win she had to fight back her family needed her, her baby needed her, Pierce needed her. She broke his hold on her and ran it was dark and she wasn’t sure where she going but still she ran.

Pierce promised he wouldn’t come back for her, he promised she’d be safe, where was Pierce she needed him. She screamed his name and this time it wasn’t silenced, so happy that her voice was back she scream his name again as she ran.

Gigi heard him calling out to her telling her everything would be alright, telling that she was safe in his arms she could even feel his touch, his soft warm hands on her skin. She could feel his lips pressed firmly against her temple soothing her, she heard his voice as he promised to always keep her safe. She believed him she knew that he would do exactly as he said he would she felt it in his touch and in his kiss.

Pierce had shot out of the recliner and into their bedroom suite the second he heard Gigi scream his name. When he came in she’d been trapped in what had to be a terrible nightmare kicking and swinging as she fought the demons in her dream. He was at her side in an instant trying to wake her from the nightmare she was having. But she was to deep in the dream so he pulled her into his arms a began to soothe her hoping that it would bring her out of whatever nightmare she was in.

He relaxed a bit when she seemed to calm down and instead of screaming his name she whispered it softly as she stopped trembling. “I Love you Pierce.” He heard her whisper and his heart almost burst from his chest with joy. He’d never experienced such happiness because he’d fallen in love with her and wasn’t sure how she felt about him.

Pierce knew that she cared for him but now things would be perfect they loved each other and would soon be husband and wife. They were expecting their first child in a couple of weeks, his brothers were here with him and his parents would be here in a few days life was good. He knew that his parents would love Gigi as much as he did, they better she was the mother of their first grandchild.

In any case he wasn’t worried Gigi had a way of making anyone fall in love her. He smiled as he remember the first night they’d meet, who knew they’d come this far. Gigi slowly roused from her sleep.

Chapter Twelve

Two days later Landry Landing Inn was buzzing with activity as they set up for wedding dinner which was that night and wedding which was tomorrow. The Inn looked beautiful London and Gabe had done a wonderful job with the decorations. London had finished the dresses for the wedding and she’d out done herself on the designs and the colors.

Asia had roped Luc into helping her in the kitchen she forced him to be her taste tester, but he wasn’t complaining. One reason was because he loved her cooking and for other he just liked being around her. She’d done so much cooking that the entire Inn smelled like an award winning restaurant, thankfully the Inn was closed for the next month to all guests except family.

Indy and Gio were hard at work developing a new blend of wine for the wedding and although they still argued they seem to be getting along better. The two of them had developed a really good after dinner blend of wine that Pierce and the other said had a rich, soothing taste Gigi couldn’t wait to try it after the baby was born.

She and Pierce had decided not to spread the houses out so far apart it wasn’t so bad having family around all the time. His parents would be arriving any minute because he’d hired a private car to pick them up at the airport. She was so nervous about meeting them, hoping that they liked her.