Mafia's Surrogate Bride Chapter 98

Aria’s POV

The command left my lips in a shattered whisper, and I shattered with it. The release crashed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me gasping and trembling against the cold shower wall. My knees nearly gave out as pleasure coursed through every nerve ending, and I had to grip Damian's shoulders to keep myself upright.

He held me steady as the aftershocks rippled through my body, his dark eyes never leaving my face.

When we finally emerged from the bathroom, the late afternoon light filtering through the bedroom windows felt surreal. Had we really been in there for over an hour? Time seemed to bend around Damian, making minutes feel like hours and hours feel like seconds.

I dressed quickly in a simple sundress while he disappeared into his walk-in closet. By the time I'd combed through my damp hair, he emerged completely transformed.

Gone was the man who'd held me so intimately in the shower. In his place stood the polished heir to a criminal empire, immaculate in a charcoal gray suit that fit him like it had been sewn directly onto his body. He was adjusting his tie with practiced precision, every movement crisp and efficient.

The transformation was striking and somehow unsettling. It was like watching him put on armor, becoming the dangerous figure who commanded respect and fear throughout Florence.

Jennifer was in the dining room, setting out what appeared to be a simple but elegant morning meal for one. She looked up as I entered, her experienced eyes immediately noting my slightly frazzled state.

"Everything alright, dear? You look a bit flustered."

"Fine," I said quickly, taking my seat at the smaller table she'd prepared near the window. "Just... warm from the shower."

"Ah." Jennifer's knowing smile suggested she understood more than she was letting on. "Mr. Cavalieri mentioned he'd be dining out tonight. Something about maintaining family relationships."

We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Jennifer cleared her throat delicately.

"I hope you don't mind my saying, but I called up to check on you both around breakfast," she said, a slight blush coloring her weathered cheeks. "When neither of you answered my calls... I was concerned something might be wrong."

The memory made my cheeks burn.

"We were..." I struggled for words that wouldn't be completely mortifying. "We were indisposed."

"Oh, I'm sure you were quite busy, I may have called three times, actually. I do hope I wasn't interrupting anything important."

I nearly choked on my water. Three times. She'd called three times while Damian and I were...

"I'm sorry we didn't answer," I managed. "We should have been more considerate."

"Nonsense, dear. This is your home now. You and Mr. Cavalieri should feel free to... enjoy each other's company without worrying about constant interruptions."

The way she said it made it clear she understood exactly what kind of "company" we'd been enjoying. I wanted to disappear into the floor.

"However," Jennifer continued gently, "perhaps in future, a simple acknowledgment when I call might ease an old woman's concerns?"

I nodded mutely, focusing intently on cutting my chicken into unnecessarily small pieces. The silence stretched until I could no longer bear it.

"Jennifer," I began hesitantly, "what was so urgent? When you called, I mean."

"Oh, nothing that couldn't wait," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "Just checking to see if you'd like to accompany me to the market tomorrow. But I managed to handle it myself."

I felt another wave of embarrassment. She'd been trying to include me in a normal activity, and we'd been too lost in each other to even acknowledge her existence.

But Jennifer seemed to sense my distress and smoothly changed the subject. "Actually, I've been meaning to speak with you about something rather wonderful."

"Oh?"

"It's about your sister Jessica." Her voice carried a warmth that immediately captured my attention. "I've spoken with Mr. Cavalieri, and he's agreed that you should be able to visit her."

I nearly dropped my fork. "Visit Jessica? Really? He said I could?"

"More than that, dear. He specifically suggested it might be good for your well-being to maintain that connection. He's arranged for private transport and security, of course, but you'll be able to see her regularly."

The rush of joy was so intense it made me dizzy. After weeks of feeling cut off from the most important person in my life, the thought of seeing Jessica's face again, of holding her hand and hearing her laugh, was almost overwhelming.

"When?" I asked, trying not to sound too desperate. "When can I see her?"

"Tomorrow, if you'd like. I can arrange everything with the hospital staff."

Tears pricked at my eyes,"Jennifer, you have no idea what this means to me. Jessica is... she's everything. She's the only family I have."

"I know, dear. And Mr. Cavalieri understands that family is sacred. No matter what else happens, the people we love must be protected and cherished."

I couldn't speak around the lump in my throat. The kindness was unexpected, undeserved, and completely overwhelming. For so long, I'd felt like a prisoner in this arrangement, trapped by circumstances and Damian's control. But this—this felt like genuine care, like acceptance.

"I can't believe he said yes," I whispered. "I was so afraid to even ask."

"He might seem intimidating, dear, but Mr. Cavalieri isn't cruel. He understands what it means to protect family." Jennifer reached over and patted my hand. "Some might say he's rather... fond of you."

The way she said it made me wonder how much she really knew about the arrangement between Damian and me. Did she understand that I was essentially a paid surrogate? That this was supposed to be business, despite the growing complexity of emotions?

But looking at her warm, knowing smile, I suspected Jennifer understood far more than anyone gave her credit for. And maybe, just maybe, she saw something in this situation that I was still too scared to acknowledge.