CHAPTER 16:BENEATH THE SURFACE

Vanessa lay on the bed, the soft sheets tangled around her body as she stared up at the ceiling. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, her body still feeling the heat of Vincenzo's touch, but now there was a deeper, more unsettling feeling lingering within her. The weight of everything—the pregnancy, the growing tension with the mafia, the new complexities of her relationship with Vincenzo—was too much to ignore.

The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, casting long shadows across the walls. The silence was thick, pressing in around her as she lay there, trying to process it all. She ran a hand over her stomach, the gentle reminder of the child she was carrying making her heart both swell with love and ache with worry.

She thought of Vincenzo—his strong, protective nature, the way he'd held her in the quiet moments. He loved her, she knew that. But the stakes were getting higher. Every decision, every move in their world had consequences. She could feel the danger closing in, and yet, all she wanted was peace, just for a moment.

But then, there was the question that kept circling in her mind. She wondered if Vincenzo would think she was being too forward, too eager. She thought about their intimacy, the way she'd allowed herself to succumb to the fire between them. Would he think she was loose? She couldn't help but feel vulnerable, especially now with the pregnancy. But she had longed for this kind of touch, this connection, even before the baby. It had been so long since that first time they'd shared such closeness, and since then, the desire had only grown stronger. She sighed softly, staring at the ceiling as if the answer was written there.

Would he understand? Would he see it the way she did—as an expression of the love and connection that had been building between them? She wanted to be closer to him, to share everything, even if it meant being vulnerable in ways she never had been before.

The door to the bedroom creaked open, and Vanessa didn't need to look up to know who it was. Vincenzo's presence filled the room like a force of nature, strong and commanding, but also familiar and comforting.

He crossed the room and sat beside her on the bed, his gaze softening as he looked down at her. "You alright?" His voice was low, tender, as though he was afraid to disturb the fragile calm between them.

Vanessa turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. She could see the concern etched into his features, the same concern that had been there since the moment she'd fallen ill. He didn't need to say anything more—he could feel her unease, just like she felt his.

"I'm fine," she said quietly, though the words felt hollow even to her. She didn't want to burden him with her worries, not when he had so much on his plate already. But inside, the walls she'd built around her heart were slowly starting to crack.

Vincenzo didn't push her to speak, instead reaching for her hand and holding it in his. His touch was warm, grounding. "You don't have to hide it from me," he said softly, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

Vanessa closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to lean into his comfort. The bond between them was undeniable, but the world they lived in was ruthless, and she knew Vincenzo would do anything to protect her—even if it meant facing the darkness she feared.

She opened her eyes again, meeting his gaze with newfound resolve. "There's more to this… I can feel it. The danger is getting closer, Vincenzo. I don't want you to face it alone."

He exhaled slowly, his eyes darkening with the weight of the unspoken threat that loomed over them. "You're not alone," he murmured, his voice rough. "And I'll never let anything happen to you."

As his words settled between them, Vanessa allowed herself to lean into him, her head resting against his chest. She felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a reminder of the man who would fight for her.

And in that moment, amidst the chaos and uncertainty of their world, she allowed herself to believe in the peace she so desperately craved. Even if she feared what the future might bring, she knew one thing for certain: Vincenzo would stand by her side, no matter what.