Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
There was so much she struggled with. Antwone’s attention was the hardest. He was so attentive and constantly bringing her gifts, which she didn’t accept. She didn’t need any necklaces or bracelets or earrings. She didn’t need anything other than time.
Antwone was always there for dinner, but she wasn’t allowed to cook. He had a professional chef cook for him. All she had were the cookbooks her mother had left behind. It was strange, but she was more alone now than she had been without him.
Candice didn’t have a clue what to say to him. In the last two months, she had been silent, not to punish him, but because she just didn’t know what to say.
It was hard to learn the man she had fallen in love with was a mafia boss. Just the thought of it made her laugh, but she sat in the sitting room, holding onto her mother’s cookbook and memories for company.
She heard the front door open and held her book even tighter to herself. She wasn’t allowed to work, but that was a good thing. In the last couple of months, walking around the house was exhausting.
“There you are,” Antwone said. “Dinner is on the table. Do you need help getting up?”
“No, I’m good,” she said, not wanting any help.
She looked across the room at the fire.
Those were the kind of words she said.
“I’m good.”
“I’m fine.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Good night.”
“It’s tasty.”
Those were the words she said constantly to Antwone. The staff didn’t talk to her, nor did the soldiers.
On one of the rare visits when Maria and the children came with Draven, she had learned that Antwone had broken the rules.
Antwone was supposed to marry one of the capos’ daughters. It was supposed to strengthen relations. It was unheard of for the main Boss to marry an outsider. Maria had also gone a little red in the face as she explained that most outsiders were either mistresses or associates, and were not privy to personal mafia business.
Candice couldn’t believe she was even thinking in terms of mafia business, corruption, or anything like that.
Antwone came toward her.
He was kind. There was no doubt about it. The only time he’d shown harshness in her company was when he was dealing with his men and guards. Every time he was with her, he was sweet and loving—only in private, though.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”
Antwone sat down on the coffee table, like he had done many times before. He rubbed at her knees. She didn’t push him away.
He sighed. “I know you’re not happy. I know you can’t forgive me for what I did. One day, I hope you will.”
She didn’t kiss him, didn’t accept his embrace. They were married in name only. She didn’t share his bedroom. She had a room close to him, but other than sharing a good night, there was no closeness.
“I don’t want to talk about this,” Candice said.
“When do you want to talk about this?”
“I don’t know, Antwone. This is a lot to take in.” She sighed and then put her book down.
“Your mother’s cookbook.” He reached for it and Candice allowed him to take it. “I know this is a huge change to your life. You’re not used to being taken care of, but I want to make this as easy for you as possible.”
This made her laugh. “You want to make this easy for me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “How? What can you do? There’s nothing for me to do other than sit around all day waiting for my baby to be born. I’m not allowed to clean. I can’t go in the kitchen. You won’t even let me talk to your staff so I can have someone to talk to.” She pressed her lips together and didn’t want to argue with him.
“Do you want to use the kitchen? Tell me what you want and I’ll make sure you get it.”
“I don’t know what I … ugh!” She whimpered. Reaching out for thin air, she put a hand at the base of her back and whimpered.
The pain exploded through her whole body. It was so unexpected that for several seconds it took her breath away.
“Candice, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”
She heard the panic in his voice, but didn’t know what to say as another wave of pain came, but then she felt it—the wetness between her thighs—and she knew exactly what had happened. Her water had broken.
“The baby is coming.”
****
Five Hours Later
Antwone knew he had fallen in love with Candice the day he met her. There was something about her sweet smile and bubbly character that had called to him. He loved his brother and shared a bond with him that would last a lifetime. He adored his niece and nephew, and cared about Maria.
When he watched his screaming son be placed in his wife’s arms, Antwone felt complete love.