The Beginning

Chapter Twenty-Six

Time ticked slowly I stood on my knees looking down at the blood on my hands, I looked down at the lifeless body of Antonio. My heart began to beat faster.

"What have I done?", I asked standing up my body beginning to shake.

"You did what you had to, the bastard killed Greta he got what he deserved", Lance said.

I shook my head before looking at Lorenzo who was in the corner of the room.

"He's Aria's brother, how do I tell her?", I asked.

"You don't", Lorenzo replied. "She won't know it was you, I had a few guys set up a place to make it look like he was killed by someone else. You can't tell Aria she won't ever forgive you but Lance is right, he killed Greta and he got what he deserved.", Lorenzo said.

I didn't care that I killed Antonio, I wanted him dead the moment I found out that he was the one who killed Greta but I couldn't help myself but think about Aria. I loved her and we were finally good and okay, I was finally letting myself be happy with her and now if she found out that could change everything.

I wasn't going to tell her, I couldn't especially if there was a chance I could lose her.

"Come on brother, let's get you cleaned up before Aria comes for her daily visit to see you", Lorenzo said.

In the basement, I had a small office with a closet of any extra clothes I'd need along with a shower. I used to come here when Greta and I would argue and we'd need some time apart. Lorenzo handed me a pair of clothes and I made my way to the shower, once I washed off the blood I got out and dressed.

Lorenzo and I got to my office on the top floor I let out a sigh as I sat in my chair.

"If she finds out she's gonna hate me, man", I said.

"Gio, relax she won't find out", Lorenzo sighed. "I promise you, brother. Just act like it never happened", Lorenzo said waving his hands around.

Not too long after he said that there was a knock on the door, Lorenzo opened it. Aria gave him a smile before she walked into the office, Lorenzo gave me a nod and a wink before he left the room.

"Hey", Aria smiled.

"Hi hon", I said walking over to her cupping her face in my hands and placing a soft kiss on her lips.

She smiled then held up a bag. "I got us food", she said before walking past me and set the bag on the table.

"Thanks, Babe", I smiled.

She turned to me pursing her lips together her heels clicked against the floor as she walked closer to me.

"You okay? You seem distracted", she said gripping the sides of my suit jacket.

"I'm fine just admiring my beautiful wife", I smiled swallowing hard. I cupped her face and looked at her for a moment then kissed her. She smiled against my lips before wrapping her arms around my neck deepening the kiss.

I bit her lower lip softly before pulling back.

"How was your day?", I asked walking to my desk and sitting in the chair. Aria sat in a chair in front of me and started taking Chinese food out of the bag.

"It was great, I spent some time with my mother today. She adores you, by the way, we were talking about the wedding and how you were a little standoffish at first but I told her you came around", Aria smiled.

"Yeah, I was sweet to your mother but uh everyone else was a just...it was hard to open up.", I explained.

"I know", she smiled.

We began eating and we drifted into a conversation about anything. I pushed my thoughts away about earlier and didn't speak about any of it to Aria. I wasn't going to tell her, I couldn't.

"Hey", I said.

Aria looked up at me.

"Yeah?", she asked.

I sat up in my chair and leaned against the desk before looking into Aria's eyes.

"Let's have a second honeymoon. The first one wasn't a real honeymoon because of me. Let's have anyone, we can book everything tonight and leave tomorrow morning. We could go to the same place or somewhere different, it's up to you", I said.

"Really?", Aria said a smiling appearing on her face.

"Yeah, as husband and wife. Real husband and wife", I said.

Aria stood up before walking over to me and sitting in my lap.

"Sounds wonderful", she laughed.

She leaned down and kissed me, it was slow and passionate.

"I can't wait", she smiled.

It wasn't long until Aria and I set up our reservations and we booked our stay for two weeks. Aria left not too long after, I stayed at the office for a while. My father coming for a visit to talk about money and some of the products we were selling.

•••

I got home late, Aria was sleeping in our bed. I looked down at her before leaning over and kissed her cheek. She moved in her sleep before her eyes fluttered open.

"Hey", she smiled.

"Hi", I whispered.

I kissed her lips softly my thumb brushing against her cheek.

"I'll be in bed soon", I told her.

She nodded before turning around and going back to sleep. I took a long hot shower trying to forget what happened but I couldn't. I killed Aria's brother but only because he was the one who killed Greta. She was never going to find out, ever.