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Story: Sinful Ruin

“Garlic bread is here,” Betty says, dropping the bread and two plates off at our table. “Let me know if you need anything.Otherwise, Dad has your pizza in the oven.” She shoots a glance at Julian. “Skyline still your favorite?”

“Skyline is still my favorite,” he confirms with a nod.

“I’m happy we came here,” Julian says, watching me. “I wasn’t sure I ever would again.”

“Thank you for bringing me.” I smile over at him. “I think we just started a new tradition. Date nights, just like your parents.”

“I’ll be sure to always pencil you in.”

I push myself forward and peck a kiss on his lips. “You’d better,husband.”

After we finishthe most amazing pizza I’ve had in my life—I’m not even kidding, and this is coming from a New York girlie—Belinda and Mick come to our table to tell us goodbye.

A tear slips down Belinda’s cheek as she makes us promise to come again soon and not to forget their wedding invites.

“Genesis, you’re changing my life,” Julian says when we’re back in the car. He stares straight ahead through the windshield, as if he isn’t sure whether he likes it or not.

I scoot in closer—a plus of not having a center console—and rest my head against his shoulder. “You saved mine, so it’s only fair.”

He takes my hand, tenderly kissing it. “You want to know why I want a baby so bad?”

“Why?” I whisper.

“Other than Damien, I have no one else. No other Bellinis exist in this world. My mom, she wanted a big family, grandchildren. I still want to give her that.”

“You have me.” I squeeze his hand. “And soon, we’ll have a baby.”

38

“You fucking married her?”Antonio yells, charging into my office.

Damien is right behind him, and he slams the door shut.

“Knock next time,” I grit out, tossing my pen on my desk and standing.

“How’d you find out?” I ask them.

“I findeverythingout,” Antonio snarls.

I should give all the fucks at this moment, but I don’t.

I’m disrespecting the boss.

Antonio could pull out his gun and shoot me in the head for it.

I’ve seen him kill for less.

I don’t regret marrying Genesis, and I stand behind my decision.

If he wants to shoot me for it, then he can.

But now that Genesis is my wife, even with me buried in the ground, the family has to protect and take care of her.

Damien strolls closer to my desk, rubbing his brow. “Please tell us you paid Yaroslav off before you saidI do.”

When his eyes land on me, there’s a twinge of hurt in them because I didn’t tell him.

We’re brothers.