Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 112 Summary In this chapter, Gen reveals to her friend Jada that she is pregnant, sparking a lively and supportive conversation between them. Jada reacts with surprise and humor, teasing Gen about the timing and their respective partners. Despite some apprehension about telling her father, Gen feels reassured by Jada's encouragement, highlighting the close bond and candidness between the two friends. Shortly after the call, Gen is visited by Leo and Frankie, who have already learned about her pregnancy from Matteo.

Their excitement and warmth provide comfort to Gen, as they bring her a thoughtful gift basket filled with items to help her through the early stages of pregnancy. The men's playful banter and genuine care underscore the strong, protective relationships surrounding Gen. Matteo then sends Leo and Frankie to fetch Gen for a special evening. She is dressed in an elegant black dress, feeling radiant and curious about the occasion.

The trio drives to a familiar location, and Gen initially mistakes the destination as the fight club but soon realizes they are headed to Matteo's mother's restaurant for dinner. Upon entering the restaurant, Gen is overwhelmed by the beauty and romantic atmosphere created by an abundance of flowers and candles. As she takes in the scene, she notices Matteo's cigarettes on the bar, and a familiar voice addresses her, setting a tender and intimate tone to end the chapter.

The emotions of surprise, love, and anticipation are woven throughout the events, capturing Gen's journey as she navigates her new reality. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter One Hundred and Twelve "Wait, you're what?!" Jada's voice cracked sharply through the phone, her tone a mix of shock and disbelief. Gen pulled the phone away from her ear, but the grin on her face only grew wider. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the petals of the bouquet Matteo had left on the kitchen island. She guessed he must have dropped them off before changing clothes and heading out to run errands.

"I'm..." she began cautiously. "Pregnant?!" Jada's voice rose an octave. "You're not supposed to get pregnant before I do!" Gen laughed softly. "Well, tell Louis to get moving then." Jada snorted. "Please, he keeps saying he's not ready. Joke's on him-I'm about to grab a toothpick and poke holes in his condoms before he even walks through the door." Gen raised an eyebrow. "Uh, maybe don't go that far." "Whatever. What's he gonna do? Dump me when I'm the best he'll ever get? Did you tell Dad yet?" For the first time since sharing the news with Matteo, Gen's smile faltered. "No, not yet.

I'm not sure how he'll take it." "Oh, Gen. Don't stress about him. Dad'll be thrilled no matter who the guy is. Trust me on that," Jada reassured her with warmth. Gen sighed. "I guess we'll see. You know how he was about us getting married before starting a family." "That's just talk. He mainly didn't want us knocked up in high school. You're a grown woman now-you're allowed to sleep with hot mafia guys if that's what you want." Gen smirked. "So you think my mafia guy is hot, huh?" "I can appreciate a fine painting even if I prefer sculptures," Jada teased back.

A soft knock at the door interrupted them. "I have to go-someone's here," Gen said quickly. "Alright, call me later! I want every detail about Accardi's reaction!" Jada squealed excitedly. "It was great. I'll tell you all later," Gen promised, laughing as she moved toward the door. "Ugh! Such a tease!" "Love you," Gen said softly. "Love you too." She ended the call and peered through the peephole, spotting Leo and Frankie waiting patiently outside. Disarming the alarm, she opened the door to find both men trying hard to suppress their smiles.

"Uh, hey guys," Gen said, glancing between them, curiosity flickering in her eyes. Without warning, Frankie lunged forward, enveloping her in a tight hug that lifted her feet off the floor. Gen glanced over his shoulder at Leo, searching for an explanation, but Leo's lips were pressed together tightly, as if he was fighting back tears. "What's-" "We're so happy, Preggers!" Frankie exclaimed loudly. "Careful, Frank. Don't hurt her-she's delicate right now," Leo warned gently. Gen laughed, the warmth of their joy easing her nerves. "So Accardi already told you?" Leo nodded.

"Who else knows?" she asked as Frankie finally set her down. "Just us two," Frankie said, pointing between them with his thumb. "And Lucy," Leo added, pulling a gift basket from behind his back and handing it to her. Gen's eyes softened as she examined the basket. Inside were soothing lotions for swollen feet, honey lozenges to ease nausea, bath salts for aching muscles, a heating pad, herbal teas, fuzzy socks, and two pregnancy books-one for her, one for Matteo. "It's just some things Lucy said helped her through those first few months," Leo explained, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

Gen leaned forward, wrapping one arm around him in gratitude. "Please tell her thank you. This is so thoughtful." "It really is," Frankie agreed, raising an eyebrow at Leo. "Almost made me forget that Accardi said he didn't want us telling anyone else." Leo rolled his eyes. "Go fuck yourself." Frankie gasped, placing his hands firmly on Gen's flat stomach. "Language! The baby can hear you!" Gen chuckled, shaking her head. "So what are you two doing here besides congratulating me?" "Accardi sent us to get you," Leo said. Gen's brow furrowed in confusion. "Really?

I thought he had a bunch of meetings tonight." "He does," Frankie said with a playful grin. "But you're one of them." Leo elbowed Frankie lightly. "He figured, with what you found out today, you might want to grab something to eat." Gen looked back and forth between Leo's serious expression and Frankie's twitching smile. "Okay... I'll just go get changed and-" Before she could pass, Frankie shoved a box under her nose. "This is for you." "A gift from your lady?" Gen teased. Leo looked horrified. "You have a lady, Frank?" Frankie narrowed his eyes at Gen. "No.

Frankie does not," he lied quickly, shooting her a warning look. Gen opened the box, shaking her head in amusement. Inside was an elegant black dress. "Accardi wants you to wear this," Leo said. Gen blinked, feeling the situation grow stranger by the second. "It's a celebration," Leo added. "He thought you'd want to look nice." "Alright, whatever you say," Gen replied with a smile, managing to slip past them to get ready. She changed into the long, flowing black dress that swept past her ankles. The halter neckline Matteo had chosen showcased her cleavage and left her back bare to the world.

She felt radiant as she swept her hair into an elegant updo and slipped on a pair of tall black heels. When she emerged, she found her two guards lounging on the couch, eyes glued to a basketball game. Frankie let out a low whistle, and Leo gave her a nod of approval before shutting off the TV and escorting her out. They drove through town, and within minutes Gen knew exactly where they were headed-she had memorized the route to the club weeks ago. A small smile played on her lips as she wondered what Matteo had planned. Why dress her up only to watch sweaty men beat each other mercilessly?

Maybe he'd arranged a private dinner in his office or was trying to throw her off by giving her a dress when he actually intended to put her in the ring. She quickly dismissed the thought. There was no way her fiercely protective alpha would let another man lay a hand on her, especially now that she was carrying his child. Again, she smiled, placing a gentle hand over her stomach, still trying to grasp the reality of her pregnancy. Her confusion deepened when the car pulled up to the front entrance of the club-the guest entrance, not the usual back door they used.

Frankie opened her door and offered his hand to help her out. Gen began walking toward the line of people waiting to get inside when Frankie cleared his throat. She glanced back, noticing that neither he nor Leo were heading in that direction. Leo smirked, pointing toward a different entrance. "This way, Miss Sinclair." Heat flushed Gen's cheeks as she realized her mistake. Of course-if they were going to eat dinner, it made sense Matteo wanted to take her to his mother's restaurant, not his father's fight club.

She laughed softly, changing course and following Leo toward the entrance, with Frankie trailing behind. Leo held the door open for her but stopped her just before she stepped inside. To her surprise, he bent down and kissed her cheek gently. "Good luck, Genevieve," he whispered. "Yeah, and congrats in advance," Frankie added with a cheeky wink. "You already said that," Gen replied, amused. "Just go," Frankie said with a dismissive wave and an exaggerated roll of his eyes. Gen furrowed her brow, glancing between the two men she had come to think of as friends.

Shaking her head, she stepped through the door. The first thing that hit her was the scent-an overwhelming flood of flowers that filled the air. She looked up and gasped louder than she ever had before, her hand rising instinctively to cover her open mouth. Everywhere she looked, the restaurant was adorned with blossoms: flowers draped over every table, lined the back of the bar, and decorated the window ledges. Cosmos, bachelor's buttons, black-eyed Susans, milkweed, coneflowers, yarrow, snapdragons, strawflowers, and countless others filled the cozy Italian space.

Flickering candles nestled among the blooms cast a warm, golden glow that wrapped the room in romance and a sense of calm security. Gen stumbled forward, still covering her mouth, weaving carefully through the flower-laden tables and candles scattered on the floor. Her eyes caught sight of something on the bar-a pack of cigarettes, Matteo's brand. She reached out to pick it up, but before she could open the box, a soft, familiar voice spoke just behind her shoulder.

"Do you need a light, Weakness?" Conclusion This chapter delicately captures the tender unfolding of new life amidst the complexities of love and loyalty. Gen's revelation of her pregnancy brings a mixture of joy, anxiety, and hope, underscored by the unwavering support of her closest friends. The warmth and care they show her, especially through their thoughtful gifts and gentle encouragement, highlight the deep bonds that sustain her through uncertainty.

The chapter beautifully balances the excitement of this new chapter with the lingering tensions that surround her, reflecting the emotional intricacies of embracing change while holding onto the past. As Gen steps into the flower-filled restaurant, the scene radiates a sense of celebration and renewal, a poignant contrast to the challenges she faces. The intimate setting, bathed in soft candlelight and blossoms, symbolizes the fragile yet resilient nature of love and family.

The delicate balance of joy, vulnerability, and the weight of unspoken concerns will surely come to the forefront, offering readers an intimate glimpse into their evolving connection. Tensions may rise as Gen navigates her feelings about sharing this life-changing news with Matteo's family, while the subtle presence of other characters suggests that loyalties and secrets could soon be tested. The mysterious voice at the end leaves a lingering question-who truly holds Gen's heart and trust in this intricate web of relationships?

Prepare for a chapter filled with heartfelt revelations, quiet strength, and the stirring of emotions that could alter everything.