Part 12 (1/2)

Water?

Mmm, yes, perfect. He rolled to his side, and I watched his naked body walk across the room. He opened the mini fridge and took out two chilled bottles of water before he crawled back up to me from the foot of the bed. I propped my body up on the numerous pillows and sipped at the refres.h.i.+ng liquid.

I saw my brother at your game today.

Adrians muscles stiffened next to me. I dont know why I brought it up. But I needed to be honest with him. I needed to tell him everything. And I needed the same from him, especially now that I was positively in love with him.

Did my brother and his so called friends give you that black eye?

He hesitated. Yeah.

I breathed a sigh of relief because he was honest. I knew the answer already. I am so sorry. Giovannis an a.s.shole whos far too protective of me. I didnt think hed go that far.

Adrian sat straight up. Mallory you think this, he pointed to his eye, is because Im dating you?

You just said Adrian took my hands. We need to talk. I listened to him tell me how Giovanni asked him to throw the game. He told me he didnt know that Giovanni was my brother. He said that he never connected us, but now, he understood why the first time he saw Giovanni that he thought he looked familiar, because we look alike. It wasnt evident when we apart, but now that he knew us both and made the connection in his minds eye, it was quite clear.

He went on to explain the meeting at the gym and how he thought his p.r.i.c.k of a team owner was involved, except it turned out that this Mike Richardson was just that”a rich p.r.i.c.k, nothing more. He told me about how Giovanni tried to blackmail him with pictures and his past trouble with the police. Wed have to revisit that later. Then he talked about the night of our dessert in the park, Nick and Luca were with Giovanni after he watched me drive off. They tried to fight him, unsuccessfully, and Giovanni threatened to hurt people around him after Adrian had kicked both Nicks and Lucas a.s.ses.

I felt ill. Adrian, Im so sorry. This is my fault. Thats why you had the car pick us up and you stayed away, isnt it? You were trying to protect me. Adrian, Giovanni would never hurt me.

I know that now. He loves you. Hes just in a really bad place in his life.

I laughed a sarcastic laugh. Tell me about it. Ill talk to him. Well straighten it all out. He cant help it. Being involved with these types is all hes known. My father had dealings with them too, but nothing to this extent. I mean, I know what my father was involved with was wrong, but he would never make a bad deal or threaten a mans family. His tactic werent like that, I think because he had his own family to protect. Maybe Giovanni needs a family. I was wondering out loud, just letting my thoughts stream out verbally into the suite.

Adrian turned away and looked up at the ceiling. Thats the next thing. If I had known, maybe I would have done things different, but I swear I didnt know. Baby, I would never hurt you, never would I do anything that would upset you.

I braced myself for what he was about to say next.

The other night when they cornered me, I recorded what Giovanni was saying with my phone. He gave up names and details of crimes, big crimes involving men higher up than him and his boys. He used them to intimidate me, and in doing so he incriminate himself and the others. I saved it all on my phone.

I sat up straight and looked down at him, heart racing. He kept his eyes on the ceiling.

I played that recording for the police, and they arrested Luca, Nick, and the others.

I turned away and gasped. All of a sudden I couldnt breathe. I could feel the tears flowing down my cheeks. I always knew that Giovanni would be arrested one day, but to know that Adrian had made it happen, I didnt know what to feel. Was I mad, and if so was it fair to be mad at Adrian?

I felt Adrians hand on my shoulder as he sat up behind me. His mouth was on my bare shoulder. His breath was warm and comforting on my skin. I pulled the sheet up around my body like a protective s.h.i.+eld.

I didnt know he was your brother, he whispered. When he came into the locker room tonight, he was prepared to get his revenge”thats when he told me who he was to you. I didnt know what to do, but I knew I cared for you and what it would do to you if he got arrested. I told him how to get away. He didnt get arrested, Mallory. Hes out there somewhere. Hopefully, h.e.l.l make a turnaround in his life. I didnt know what else to do. Please forgive me.

My hand slipped up and covered Adrians hand on my shoulder. I squeezed his fingers between mine and pulled them down to my mouth, kissing his hand. You did what you had to. You could have let them arrest him, but you didnt, and I dont know if I can ever thank you enough for that. My brother has had a hard time since my parents pa.s.sed away. I hope he finds his way, and maybe one day, h.e.l.l be a new man.

I knew I could deal with this. I had been prepared to never see Giovanni again just a few days ago, I could move on, better knowing he might just be okay. My brother would let me know he was okay, when he could. I could never blame Adrian for any of this. He could have high-tailed it away from me for Giovannis actions. Who would want to be mixed up with something as criminal as my brother and his mob?

I wiped my tears away and slid up next to him on the bed, letting him cradle me in his arms as we lay back down together. It felt safe and wonderful, and I wanted to stay here forever safe and out of the eyes of any problems on the outside.

I want to tell you one more thing, something that Giovanni made me realize and admit tonight.

Oh G.o.d there was more. I didnt think I could take any more news. My head could not take any more information today.

Adrians lips drew close to my ear. I love you, Mallory.

My heart came to a dead stop, my breath froze in my lungs and I was positive I was having a seizure. What did you say?

He moved from my side and put the weight of his chest on top of my rib cage. His green eyes searched mine. I said I love you.

Really?

He nodded.

I love you too! Ive never loved anyone like this before, I gasped.

He sealed our confessions with a kiss and he wrapped me in his embrace there in the king sized bed, in our own private penthouse heaven, bathed in the moon light. We lay spooned together, and I could feel his breath in my hair. I think we should get married.

My eyes shot open. Did I fall asleep and dream that? Alcohol, s.e.x, and confessions had me hallucinating.

Did you hear me?

I turned my body in his arms so I was facing him. Am I dreaming?

If youre dreaming, then I am too, and were sharing the best d.a.m.n dream I have ever had.

Did you just ask me to marry you? Was this real?

I did. I want to marry you, make you my wife, and, his hands drifted to my lower abdomen, I want to spend every night trying to put a baby right here.

I could feel the tears streaming from my eyes to the pillow. Happy tears this time, overwhelmed tears. It was all too much to absorb. I kissed him and sniffled. He laughed and kissed my tear soaked cheeks.

We can get married, have kids, buy a great house, or even live in yours, if thats what you want.

The thought of us living like my parents had, together with two kids running around in the yard, was a fantasy Id never entertained, but right now, it became my only goal in life. I held his face. Yes, sir, yes please, all of that, I want all of that with you. My cheeks hurt with how wide my smile was.

He pulled me close and hugged me, kissing my head and my hair. We drifted back into comfortable sleep, only to wake up and kiss again. Until at last we were both sound asleep, holding one another.

When the sun began to rise and break into daylight through our windows, I squinted against its brightness. Adrian was awake already and watching me. Good morning, kitten.

Good morning. I yawned. Want to take a shower with me? I stretched my body out to its pet.i.te length alongside his long form. His body never ceased to amaze me. He drew me into a strong embrace.

Id like that very much. Maybe we can try a repeat of last night. He smiled with a devilish grin.

I like that idea, a lot. I rolled to my side and off the bed onto my feet. Adrian leapt from the bed and swatted my backside as I walked to the bathroom to start the shower. I yelped and laughed. I didnt think I would ever get tired of his hands on my body. Who would have ever guessed that virgin Mallory would be ex-virgin Mallory, dating a star quarter back on her way to being Mrs. Quarterback in such a short amount of time? Leslie was going to have a cow. I wondered if she had spent the night with Emmet.

Adrian, did Emmet call you last night? I called from the bathroom over the sound of the running water. I reached in to the jetting spray and adjusted the temperature.

Was he supposed to?