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  Jamila Jasper

  Jamila Jasper Romance

  Copyright © 2019 by Jamila Jasper

  ISBN: 978-1520846071

  All rights reserved.

  * * *

  This book is a complete work of fiction. If any of these names, events or situations resemble real life situations it is purely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Visit deniadesign.com for more information about the cover design and cover design services.

  * * *

  Please contact for more information:

  [email protected]

  Dedicated to my aunty, the woman as strong as a bear.

  RIP.

  Text “BWWM” to 31996

  Receive this FREE interracial romance story when you text this number.

  Contents

  Matteo

  1. Happy Family

  2. Hell Hath No Fury

  3. The Dark

  4. Stuck

  5. Edoardo Returns

  6. The Harbor

  7. Return To Italy

  8. Brooklyn Bound

  I. Book Three

  Prologue I

  Text “BWWM” to 31996

  Afterword

  About Jamila Jasper

  Patreon

  Acknowledgments

  Matteo

  March 1st, 2019

  * * *

  Dear Diary,

  * * *

  I worry that I’m starting to tire of Italy. At first, things seemed great. And of course, Matteo has been the best thing to ever happen to me. It’s been amazing watching him grow and now that he’s six months old, I’m starting to realize that he’s ours. Despite everything that’s happened between me and Nico, we’ve created something beautiful.

  * * *

  Matteo right now has gained weight and he’s at around 18 lbs. Look at me. I would have never guessed back in Boston that this is where I would be right now. I would have never guessed that I’d be writing at my desk, facing a gorgeous pavilion, waiting eagerly for Nico to return.

  * * *

  Matteo is sleeping in the room, occasionally gurgling and I feel strong love flowing through my veins every time I hold him, look at him or feed him. I understand what it’s like to be a mother now. I never understood why women made such a fuss over husbands and babies but now, here I am — soon to be married and mother to a beautiful biracial child.

  * * *

  As I haven’t described him yet — Matteo has skin the color of caramel and his hair is a mixture of dark brown with streaks of blond. He has more hair than most babies and of course, I’m reluctant to cut it. I’ve sent pictures of him to all in the family and they rave about how much he looks like me. Personally, I hope that he ends up looking more like his father. I would love for him to have Nico’s strong jaw, his firmness and his sweetness. I suppose all of that is all up to chance either way. There’s nothing I can do about it.

  * * *

  Since moving to Italy, I worry about Nico more. At first, he seemed content with the way we were living. Everything was calm. Perhaps it was too calm for him. Then, I suspect he got pulled into business again. Though I have no real evidence of this, I noticed a change in the man I loved.

  * * *

  After everything that happened in Boston, I find myself wary of any of his business dealings. He promises me that nothing dangerous is happening and that he loves me and Matteo both. He promises me that nothing will go wrong — that he is simply doing what he has to in order to ensure we remain safe.

  * * *

  So far, it seems like Giuseppe is out of the picture. He doesn’t pla
n to return to Italy and I don’t think he’s willing to take on Nico again. He knows his son is strong enough to finish him. Nico was merciful in Boston, and I’m grateful for that. While Nico’s life comes with its fair share of thrills, I’m reluctant to be cavalier about crime.

  * * *

  We haven’t heard much about what is happening over in the United States but I get the sense that Giuseppe may be in prison — but I don’t know what to believe. Nico has ears everywhere, but I try my best not to get involved. I don’t think our relationship could handle more of that sort of thing again. How can we be expected to?

  * * *

  And now, things are different. I expect more from Nico and he knows it. Now that we have a son we cannot become deeply involved in his previous business dealings. I don’t care how much money is involved. That’s not the sort of life that I want for Matteo and it’s not the sort of life that I want for myself.

  * * *

  I haven’t returned to Boston, but my family has come here to visit me. It’s been rough not seeing them and I miss just hearing English all the time. But I can’t complain too much. We live in a gorgeous home and Nico is thinking of upgrading again. I have everything that money could buy. My closet went from J.C. Penney to Dior overnight and that’s all because of Nico. He’s provided for me in exactly the way a good man should and I’m beyond grateful for everything he’s done for me.

  * * *

  In this new place, we have two cooks, two maids and I have a personal assistant. Nico wants me to focus on the baby, but I’ve been itching to get back to work soon too. I have so much creativity and so many good ideas. I was thinking that maybe I could start catering baked goods or making candies again. Perhaps it is all too soon as Nico thinks. But I don’t feel as if I need more time to settle. Everything is stable — and I like it that way.

  * * *

  I love my home, I love my baby and I love Nico. What more could a girl ask for?

  * * *

  I’ve been thinking about discussing a second child with Nico too. I know that it might be too soon since Matteo is only six months old. But each time that I see his beautiful face, I imagine what it would be like to have a daughter. One boy. One girl. That isn’t too much to ask, is it?

  * * *

  I must close this entry now because I think I hear Nico at the door downstairs and I’m certain Matteo will wake up. Isn’t it awfully quaint to be writing in a real diary? This one is nice and leather bound too — a gift from my fiancé. Nico has been encouraging me to document my feelings since moving here and the process isn’t entirely painful — though it feels corny.

  * * *

  It’s definitely Nico. So long.

  * * *

  — Eve

  1

  Happy Family

  Nico opened the door to the home he shared with Eve. He could imagine her already, sitting upstairs and writing in her journal. He’d been encouraging her to write ever since she got to Italy, if for no other reason than it would keep her occupied. Nico’s mother had always kept a journal and when she passed away, Nico had pored over the pages over and over again until his father had flung them into a fireplace a cold Christmas Eve morning.

  * * *

  Nico had news for Eve and he had a feeling that she might not like what she heard. He realized that Eve was smart; she’d noticed all the time he was spending out of the house and she’d noticed his renewed interest in business dealings. But in Italy, and especially considering his last name, business often came with a price.

  * * *

  And he could hardly be expected to conduct regular business. With the last name Riccardi, Nico had always attracted attention here. Certain sorts of people presented him with offers that he would be foolish to refuse.

  * * *

  He watched as Eve came down the stairs with Matteo wrapped in her arms. His son was half awake and bundled in a wool blanket.

  * * *

  “Hello my beautiful.”

  * * *

  “Hey,” Eve said, tiptoeing to kiss Nico on the lips. Once she pulled away, he bent his lips to his son’s forehead.

  * * *

  “How is our little one?”

  * * *

  “He just woke up. I think he can sense when you come home.”

  * * *

  “Hey there little guy… Matteo…” Nico said.

  * * *

  He whispered in Italian and kissed his son on the forehead. Eve smiled watching him with the baby. Nico’s hardened external demeanor softened the instant he came into contact with his son. Just as motherhood had changed her, fatherhood had changed Nico. At least as far as Eve could see, that was the case.

  * * *

  “Hungry?” Eve asked.

  * * *

  Nico shook his head. He looked his fiancée up and down for a second. He knew that what they were going to talk about next would make her less than happy.

  * * *

  “Not really.”

  * * *

  “You look like you have something to say to me,” Eve said.

  * * *

  Nico shifted uncomfortably and ran his hands through his hair. She could always pick up on his subtle mood shifts, like some kind of mind reader. Women’s intuition.

  * * *

  “Perhaps we should head to the living room — open the windows and have a tea.”

  * * *

  “Sure. Will you hold Matteo while I put on the kettle?”

  * * *

  Nico took his son from Eve’s arms and watched as she walked towards the kitchen. She hadn’t lost all of her baby weight, but the extra weight looked sexy on her. Her hips and her thick buttocks added to her feminine sensuality.

  * * *

  Her dark skin had grown even darker in the Mediterranean. All the time in the sun had suited Eve well. Shopping and wandering the streets of Italy had added golden undertones and a deep glow to her skin. She now wore her hair in long two strand twists that hit down the center of her back. Everywhere she went, she smelled like a delectable mix of Shea butter and coconut oil.

  * * *

  Her sweet scent aroused Nico whenever he saw her. A long day of hanging out with men that smelled like cigars and German sausages made coming home a delightful reprieve. Eve was beautiful, soft, delicate — the sort of person that made Nico feel at home.

  * * *

  Nico turned his attention to his son. Matteo started to crack a smile as he looked into his father’s eyes. Nico kissed Matteo’s forehead and Matteo smiled even wider. As Nico looked at his son, he pondered everything he’d already done for him and how much more he wanted to do still.

  * * *

  As far as Eve was concerned, they already had plenty of money. And in a sense she was right. But life wasn’t just about money. It was about connections and opportunity. Nico had just received a big opportunity. If he got in on this deal, it could change things for him. He would have more connections and more of a chance to ensure his son’s comfort throughout his life. And this wasn’t just about comfort. Nico worried that his family’s safety in Italy might be short lived. He’d heard of no imminent dangers, but that didn’t mean the dangers weren’t coming.