Chapter 172: 172 ~ Mira
The morning started soft. There was sunlight spilling across the penthouse floor, the kind of golden calm that only comes after chaos has finally quieted.
Jace was buttoning his shirt when I walked into the room. He looked effortlessly composed as always, like he hadn’t been the same man who once walked through gunfire for me.
"You’re wearing that to the airport?" I teased, tilting my head. "Someone’s going to mistake you for a celebrity."
He smirked, glancing over his shoulder. "That’s the goal."
"Hmm, you wish."
He stepped closer, slid his hand around my waist, and murmured against my ear, "You’ll still be the one they envy."
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks betrayed me. "Flattery this early? You’re either trying to distract me or avoid your mother’s questions."
He grinned, and that was all the answer I needed.
By the time we reached the airport, Donna Carmela was already waiting at the VIP lounge with a small silk scarf wrapped elegantly around her neck, sunglasses on like she was about to star in an Italian film. She didn’t want to take the jet and Jace couldn’t convince her otherwise. A part of me wondered if it was because she wanted to meet up with her love, Alejandro. Who knows?
When she saw us, her expression softened, but that signature authority never left her posture.
"Finally," she said, glancing pointedly at Jace. "I was beginning to think you were trying to delay my departure."
Jace kissed her cheek. "You say that like it’s a bad thing."
"Because it is," she replied smoothly. "If I stay any longer, I’ll start managing your life again, and we both know how that went the last time."
I laughed softly as she turned to me, cupping my face with both hands. "Ah, Mirabel. You’re glowing as always,"
I smiled. "Thank you, Donna,"
Her eyes sparkled. "Now, I expect news soon."
I blinked. "News?"
She smirked. "Of a grandchild, of course."
"Mom," Jace groaned beside me.
"Oh, don’t ’Mom’ me, Jacopo. You’ve been married long enough. What are you waiting for? A miracle?"
I covered my mouth to keep from laughing, but the look on Jace’s face almost broke my resolve.
"Donna—" he started, but she held up a finger.
"No excuses. A house without children is too quiet. I want noise. Chaos. Someone to call me Nonna before I’m too old to chase them around the garden."
"I’m sure that won’t take long," I said, blushing slightly.
"Good." She patted my cheek, looking pleased with herself. "And don’t let this one overwork himself." She cast a sharp look at Jace. "You hear me, ragazzo? Less business, more romance."
Jace rubbed the back of his neck, muttering, "You make it sound like I’m the one who needs lessons."
"Maybe you do," she shot back, lips twitching.
I was still giggling when her flight was called. She kissed my forehead, then Jace’s cheek, and straightened her scarf. "Remember what I said," she warned one last time before walking toward the gate. "And make it twins!"
I swear I almost died trying not to laugh.
Jace stood there for a moment, jaw clenched, watching her disappear through security. "Twins," he repeated flatly.
I was grinning ear to ear. "I think she likes the idea."
He looked at me sideways. "You’re enjoying this way too much."
"Maybe I am," I teased. "She’s not wrong, you know."
He raised a brow. "About the twins or the romance part?"
"Both."
He shook his head, chuckling, and took my hand as we walked back toward the car. "You two are going to gang up on me, aren’t you?"
"Absolutely." I grinned.
The drive home was quiet at first. It was the kind of peaceful silence that hummed between us like background music. The city stretched around us, sunlight painting the skyline gold as the car moved through the streets.
I leaned my head against the window, feeling the calm seep into me. "It’s strange," I murmured. "Saying goodbye this time doesn’t feel heavy."
"That’s because we’re safe," Jace said simply. "And she knows it."
I smiled faintly. "She’s going to call every hour, you know that, right?"
He frowned. "She can try. I’m blocking her the minute we get home."
I laughed. "You wouldn’t dare."
"Watch me."
He reached over, intertwining our fingers. "You look so happy my baby."
"I am," I said softly. "It feels like the first time I can breathe."
He didn’t answer, but the way he looked at me said everything.
The car slowed as we turned into the driveway of our building. The guards opened the gates, and sunlight filtered through the tinted glass, spilling across his face.
That’s when he leaned closer, his voice low, teasing. "You know... maybe she’s right."
"About what?" I asked, smiling despite myself.
He brushed a strand of hair from my cheek, eyes darkening just a little. "About more romance...."
My breath caught. "Jace..."
"Hmm?"
"We’re in front of the building."
His lips curved. "So?"
"Someone could see us." I said even when I knew the glass was tinted.
He smirked. "Then we’ll give them something to talk about."
"Jace," I warned, but it came out more like a breath than a protest.
He leaned in, his hand sliding behind my neck, and that was all it took. My resolve crumbled.
The next few seconds blurred with the sound of our breathing, the feel of his fingers tracing down my spine, the soft hum of the engine still running. It wasn’t wild or rushed. It was slow. Intimate. The kind of kiss that felt like it had been waiting all day to happen.
I forgot about the world outside. I forgot about everything except him.
He pushed my seat backwards and spread my legs apart as he ate me out until I had a leg shaking orgasm.
I couldn’t get enough of him when he made me straddle him and he slid into me. There was something about having sex at times and places you weren’t supposed to. The thrill made it more enjoyable.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm against my lips. "Welcome home, Mrs. Romano."
I smiled, still catching my breath. "You’re impossible."
"And you love it."
"I do."
We stayed like that for a while, tangled up, laughing softly, pretending the rest of the world didn’t exist.
And maybe, for once, it really didn’t.