Maximus

Stepping out of the car, my fingers went to loosen my bowtie.

A lead on Carnellio had me working all day to try to find the bastard which meant not being able to pick up Stella. Not that the leads we had were of any help, the bastard is underground along with who-ever he worked with.

I hate that now I have to be at this stupid gala, with people I don't like when all I want to do is go home to Stella and hang out. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy giving to charity, I don't however see the point in spending a night with people I have to play politics with.

I waited for Stella outside, my brothers already walking into the venue. Thankfully I didn't have to wait long when Tate pulled the car up to the curb, my feet taking me over before he had time to park.

Opening the door, my hand went up to help Stella step out. The moment I saw her I took a sharp intake of breath; every time I see her I'm remind of her beauty and tonight is no different.

"Evening Max." She greeted.

"Stella, you look absolutely gorgeous." Helping her down I kiss her cheek softly.

She blushed putting her hand in mine. "Thank you. You look dashing. Your third date is a gala, that's setting the bar high."

Chuckling I tuck her hand in my arm and walk us into the venue of the fundraiser. "What can I say, I aim to please. Plus, I wanted any excuse to see you in that dress."

Her cheeks blushed, her body leaning into mine. "You didn't have to buy it for me, we had only known each other for a few weeks."

Kissing her temple, we walk into the building, a clerk at the coat rack giving us a ticket. Stella took a step back taking off her coat, the dress looking better on her then I could have thought.

The blue compliments her light skin tone and her eyes shine brighter with the colour. The shape of the dress showed her body perfectly, an image that will stay in my head forever and make me remember what she looks like under it.

I let out a small whistle. "Amour, I knew then you would look stunning but you are more beautiful than the north star."

Her cheeks went a flame, her hand lightly hitting my chest. "Stop with your formal words, you are no longer sounding like an under boss but a bad poet. But thank you for the compliment."

Chuckling I put her hand back in my arm leading us into the gala. "My mother made sure her sons know how to compliment a woman, but any fool could see your stunning."

She gave an unconvinced hum. "Or you were a fuckboy for a few years so you got a silver tongue. Ah shoot, I already broke Anthony's rules for being in a formal event."

Smirking, I looked over to her. "First, I was never a fuckboy. Secondly, you had Anthony give you rules?"

"No, he gave them without asking. Told me no swearing, smile through anger, yatta, yatta." She teased. "He grew up in high society and knows how to act."

Looking around the room I turned us in a direction. "Is this the part where you tell me you are going to give me hell for bringing you to high society? With two-hour notice?"

Stella laughed. "I haven't thought to much about it, as you said I had only two hours to get ready. Give me a day and I'll let you know, though you buying this gown may save you."

Humming I walked over to where my brothers were standing. Romano looked like he hoped the chandelier above him will drop on his head to put him out of his misery. Lorenzo on the other hand looked far more relaxed overlooking those in the room to see how he can use them.

"Good evening Lorenzo and Romano, you two look miserable even in your handsome suits." Stella greeted when we stood next them.

Lorenzo smiled. "You look beautiful Stella."

Romano gave a small head bow to her. "Evening, Stella. Honestly, I don't know why I have to be here I already wrote a check."

Lorenzo chuckled looking to Romano. "Because it's important to build relationships within the community. Buck up brother, I won't force you to talk to anyone. With your scowl, not even the waiter will bring you drinks."

My little brother swore in Italian under his breath making Stella laugh. She took a step forward letting go of my arm and took his. "Come on Romano, it won't be too bad. If we get annoyed with people I was told to start stealing silver-wear."

Romano cracked a small smile. "Think we are rubbing off on her."

Lorenzo chuckled at Stella. "A dangerous thought."

Rolling my eyes, I take a step forward, my arms going around Stella's waist pulling her back to my side. "Anthony won't have you swear but will have you steal?"

She leaned into me. "No, he wouldn't, it was Cody who told me to steal spoons. However, I don't have any fancy wine or champagne glasses, maybe I can steal those for when I can drink again." A waiter came by offering drinks, Stella the only one who declined. "So, what do we do now?"

"Mingle." Romano spat the word as if it was venom on his tongue.

Stella laughed. "If it's so bad why didn't you bring Anastasia. If you brought her, you could speak to her which looks like your mingling. She would look stunning and if anyone tried to talk to you, she could curse them for you."

Romano shifted. "She wouldn't have wanted to come."

My woman tilted her head. "Did you ask?" Romano shifted again. "You didn't... right because no woman likes to dress up for a night, feel like a million bucks and steal things from rich people."

My little brother scowled even more. "You done?"

Stella shrugged and Lorenzo hid his smirk behind his drink.

I turned Stella away. "Alright, let's leave Romano to suffer."

I took us to the food, I need to make sure she keeps her blood pressure up. My head started to spin with the different pregnancy books I read about what should and shouldn't be eaten during pregnancy.

"Are you hungry, I should have made sure they had real food tonight." I cursed myself looking at the tiny sized appetisers, if you could even call them that.

Stella chuckled beside me, her lips gracing my cheek. "I could nibble but don't worry about me. I had barbeque wings before coming."

I tilt my head back laughing. "You did?"

Looking back to her she gave an innocent shrug, her hand grabbing an appetiser. "Anthony and Cody made me eat. It was a good idea since our son is always hungry. They didn't want to take the risk of me getting hangry when I could be enjoying a night out with you."

Still chuckling I pull her back into me where she belongs. "A son huh? Is that what you want?"

She blushed with a shrug. "I don't know, whenever I picture them I see a mini you. What do you want? God this is not the place for me to ask you that..."

Kissing her cheek, I sigh. "Well that is my fault, I have been too busy for us to talk about our child. As for what I want, a daughter, one who will have me wrapped around her finger like her momma."

She rolled her eyes. "Glad to know I will be the 'bad' parent and you will fold to their wishes."

I laughed. "I will do my best not to." She hummed unconvinced. "What?"

She shrugged picking at the food. "Your family job title is hardcore yet you are going to be bowing down to our child's wishes."

Her hand paused over the food. "You are reading parenting books?"

Nodding I took a sip of my drink. "I have read two on pregnancy and now on my first parenting. Have you?"

She cringed. "I tried the books but they were too intimidating instead I have been listening to podcasts."

I looked at my drink then back to her. "Yeah I feel that intimidation. But you shouldn't worry about anything, it's obvious you're going to be a great mom."

Stella smiled and melted against me. "You will be a great father, particularly if you are reading so many books."

Noticing her baby bump seems to be growing I thought about what we need to do. "When is your doc's appointment, we really need to go."

"The reason we haven't had that appointment is because I was scheduled in when she had an open appointment. It's next week, think I would be fourteen weeks pregnant? But we are not doing this here. I'm fine, relax."

My head went back. "Relax? I am relaxed, I am being perfectly calm."

Stella laughed. "Mhm. Look I'm fine, I went to the doctor and they said I'm healthy and they heard a healthy heartbeat, we can spare time to see the obstetrician at Cody's practice."

I rolled my shoulders back. "I know, I read your doctor report. I'm just used to being control and pregnancy isn't something I can have control over."

"Hey." Stella gave me one of her warm smiles. "We are getting to know each other, that's you doing what you can."

"Maximus." Lorenzo called my name softly to not disturb the room and motioned his head to follow him and Romano. The two walking to the outside balcony.

I blew out a breath. What could they want? I spent the entire day with them and finally am spending time with Stella. I can't ask her here, not pick her up and then abandon her in a party she doesn't know anyone at.

Stella sighed standing up on her toes, her lips went to my ear to speak privately. "They have their mafia faces on, go, I'll be fine."

Looking back to her I smiled. Glancing to Sebastian I motion my head. "Watch her. I'll be right back."

Pecking her cheek, I walk away hearing Stella talk to Sebastian about there needing food improvements.

Walking out to the balcony and my brothers I let out a growl. "What?"

Lorenzo lifted a cigar to his mouth, lighting it with a chuckle. "Don't worry brother, Sebastian is there making sure no one bothers Stella."

"What?" I asked again.

"Luka is picking up chatter." Lorenzo started. "He is deciphering it but doesn't think it's anything good. Could be him."

Carnellio.

I adjust my suit watching Lorenzo smoke. "And we need to talk about this now? Have him go through the chatter, figure out what it's about, then bring us to speed."

Lorenzo ticked his jaw. "We need to be ready."

"Ready?" Romano asked. "When aren't we but Maximus is right, we shouldn't be talking about this here."

"Thing is, this event may be beneficial to us at the moment." Lorenzo's eyes scanned over the room. "Police commissioner is here, political appointees of the city and other people of power. Play nice and mingle, we need to make sure we still have them on our side incase we need them soon."

I withheld a groan. One night, that's all I wanted with Stella. "Alright, who wants who?"

"Cazzo." Romano swore, his scowl darkening at the fact he has to talk to people. "Don't tell Stella, but she was fucking right, I should have asked if Anastasia wanted to come."

Taking a sip of my drink I smirk. "I won't need to say anything, one look at you and she will know exactly what you're thinking. Now who wants who? I have my woman to go back to."