Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 123 Summary After stepping out of the shower, Genevieve finds her husband Matteo waiting with a warm towel, his tender care easing her nerves. They share playful banter as he helps her dry off and invites her to dinner, where the comforting smell of pizza finally breaks her afternoon-long refusal to eat. Earlier, they had a stressful meeting with lawyers to finalize plans, with Matteo insisting Genevieve stay out of the direct talks for her safety, though she listens in from a nearby room.

As they eat, Matteo's protective nature shines when he instructs Leo to keep red meat away from Genevieve while he is gone, revealing that he will be leaving soon. Her anxiety about his departure surfaces, but Matteo reassures her it will only be a short time. To lift her spirits, he surprises her with a temporary tattoo of their family coat of arms, explaining that because she is pregnant, a permanent tattoo isn't possible yet. Together, they apply the tattoo, and Matteo shares the meaning behind the symbols: bravery, protection, family unity, loyalty, and strength.

The moment deepens their connection, culminating in a passionate kiss as Matteo admits he no longer fears marking her skin with his name. Their bond is tender, protective, and full of love, even amid the looming uncertainty of his upcoming absence. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Three Genevieve stepped out of the steaming shower and immediately spotted Matteo waiting patiently with a towel in hand. A soft smile played on her lips as she shook her head affectionately, watching her husband approach her.

He gently began to massage her damp skin with the warm towel, his touch tender and reassuring. "You're certainly keeping your vows well, Husband," Gen teased, laughter bubbling up from her chest. Matteo raised an eyebrow playfully. "Isn't the rule that seventeen times makes a habit?" he quipped, gliding the towel down her stomach and teasingly running it between her legs. Wrapping the towel securely around her torso, he cupped her face in his hands and pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "Dinner's here." "Oh, thank God," Gen sighed with relief, lightly pushing past him toward the kitchen.

Her nerves had kept her from eating all afternoon. Earlier, they'd met with lawyers to finalize their plans, a tense session filled with raised voices and frustration. Gen had insisted on being present when they spoke with Bennett's superiors, but Matteo had convinced her to stay out of it for her own safety. He promised he could pretend she wasn't there, hiding her away in some secret place he refused to reveal. She'd only agreed after he let her listen in from the next room. The scent of pizza wafting from the counter made Gen's mouth water involuntarily.

She hurried over, yanked open the box, and stuffed a slice of Neapolitan pizza into her mouth as if she hadn't eaten in days. Just then, a plate appeared beneath her hands, and she turned to see Matteo smiling warmly. "No need," she said between bites. "Yes, need," he insisted with a chuckle. "Sit down, Weakness." Matteo guided her toward the dining table while he grabbed his own slice. "I take it Baby prefers this over the pasta we had last night?" Gen wrinkled her nose at the memory.

Matteo had lovingly prepared homemade pasta the night before-a thoughtful gesture that had taken painstaking effort. Unfortunately, she'd thrown up the moment it was set before her. "No red meat, so I think we're safe," she said, nodding as she reached for a second slice. "No. Red. Meat," Matteo repeated firmly. She glanced over her shoulder and caught him scrolling on his phone. "What are you up to?" she asked curiously. "Hm? Just telling Leo to keep red meat away from you while I'm gone," he replied before setting the phone down. Gen's cheerful mood instantly faded.

"Oh." When she sat back down, deflated, Matteo clicked his tongue and pulled her chair closer to his. He reached out, gently lifting her chin to meet his gaze. "It'll only be a week. Two tops," he assured her softly. "I don't care. I'm nervous for you," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. *I'll be fine. As long as you and Baby are safe,* he amended, placing a protective hand over her stomach. Gen wiped a stray tear from her cheek as her emotions swung wildly from hopeful to anxious. "I have something that might cheer you up," Matteo said, pride coloring his tone.

"Yeah?" she replied, curiosity piqued. "You want to see it?" he asked, and when she gave a pitiful nod, he chuckled. "Come on, Weakness, it's in the bedroom." Gen allowed Matteo to take her hand and lead her back to their room. "Matteo, if your surprise is your dick..." He laughed loudly. "No, Weakness, it's not that grand," he teased with a wink. He pulled an envelope from a drawer and emptied its contents onto the table. Picking up a white laminated slip about the size of his hand, he turned to present it to her.

Gen reached out and took the printed image of the family coat of arms, her eyes searching his for answers. Matteo rubbed the back of his neck nervously-an unusual gesture for him. "Since you're pregnant, we couldn't do the traditional tattooing. If you end up breastfeeding, it might be another year or two before you can get it done. I looked it up and found there's nothing stopping us from using a temporary tattoo, so I had this made. I thought... before I leave... we could put it on together, and I could tell you about it.

I won't be as good as our usual guy, but..." Gen placed her hand gently on the center of his chest to halt his nervous rambling. Moving her hand to his cheek, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him softly. "That's so thoughtful of you. I love it. Can we do it now?" she asked eagerly. The smile that spread across his face revealed his dimple. He nodded enthusiastically. Shuffling through the papers, he found the instructions. Gen watched from the edge of the bed as he paced, reading them over and over. "It's temporary, Matteo. It's okay if you mess it up," she said with a light laugh.

He stopped, giving her a look of disbelief. "We have to do this right, Weakness. It's important. Lie back," he instructed. Gen wriggled backward on the bed until she was flat. Matteo sat beside her, holding the instructions in one hand and a damp cloth in the other. He carefully peeled back the laminated side of the temporary tattoo and studied the skin she'd exposed. He positioned the tattoo several times, trying to find the perfect angle. Then, placing it face down, he laid the wet rag on top. "Okay, just a few minutes," he said, nodding. "Easy peasy," she smiled.

"So tell me, what does it mean, Matteo?" she asked, reaching up to brush her fingers over the tattoo. "It's mostly a bunch of hogwash," he said, his ears flushing a charming shade of pink. "I don't care-I want to hear it. Please?" she pleaded. Clearing his throat, Matteo guided her fingers over the design. "As you know, my great-great-grandfather was a triplet. When Alessio's great-great-grandfather took over the Palladino business, the other two brothers were left without a family to lead." "They moved to New York and started their own," Gen recalled. "Exactly.

Because they split, they couldn't use the family name anymore. One brother chose the name Galante, meaning brave and courteous." Gen snorted in disbelief, making Matteo smile. "Believe it or not, most Galantes live up to those traits. Look at Conor-he's the perfect example. I still don't know what happened to his father." "What about Accardi? What does that mean?" she asked. He traced her fingernails over the name etched on his skin. "Sharp edge of a blade or guardian-a protector with a sword," he whispered.

"Hm," Gen said, pressing her lips together as she watched Matteo's chest swell with pride. "Very fitting." He tried to hide his smile, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward. "Anyway, he kind of stole the coat of arms from someone who'd been granted one." "How very mafia-like of him," Gen teased. Matteo hummed in agreement, peeling back the tattoo slightly to check if it was sticking. Thinking it needed more time, he pressed the rag back down and focused on her hand resting over the tattoo.

"The colors are red and gold: red symbolizes military strength in times of war, and gold represents nobility and generosity. These are traits we Accardis must continue to embody for our men, Weakness." He ran her fingers over the three mountains in the design. "The mountains stand for the strength and stability of a family. He kept three mountains to honor the original triplets-the original family. We must try to stay allies, even if one of us becomes corrupted. The star," he continued, guiding her thumb along the star above the mountains, "represents loyalty, kindness, and respect.

A holy devotion to our family and every member who follows us. The helmet atop the shield reminds us of our family's strength when we stand united. It protects us from outside forces and helps us remember what's most important." Matteo slowly peeled the tattoo template away from her skin. He rubbed his knuckles gently along the edges and blew cool air over the wet ink to help it dry. *One day, when you're ready, we'll get it done properly. The man who does it can explain it better. It's far more meaningful coming from him, I promise.* Gen touched Matteo's cheek, drawing his eyes back to hers.

"I don't think so." He leaned down and kissed her deeply. "How does it look?" she asked, craning her neck to see. "Hmmm..." His lips curved higher on the right side. Then he rolled her over, pulling her along until she straddled his hips. His hands glided up her bare thighs as he inspected the temporary tattoo. Looking up, he smiled. "Beautiful." Gen lowered herself to press another kiss to him. His hands slid up her sides, cradling her shoulders tenderly. "Why did you wait until tonight to do this? We could've done it the night of our wedding, like tradition," she wondered aloud.

A dangerous smirk tugged at his mouth as his teeth grazed his lips. "I didn't want to worry about messing it up." "And now that you've seen it?" she challenged, raising an eyebrow. A low rumble vibrated through his chest. "Now that I see my name branded on your skin?" He asked, eyes darkening with emotion. She nodded. He shook his head slowly. "I don't seem to care anymore." Matteo's hand gripped her hips firmly while the other curled around the back of her neck, pulling her down for a searing, consuming kiss.

Conclusion In this tender moment, the chapter beautifully captures the deep bond and unwavering support between Genevieve and Matteo as they navigate the challenges ahead. Their playful banter and intimate gestures reveal a love that is both comforting and passionate, even in the face of uncertainty. The temporary tattoo symbolizes not just a family legacy but the strength and unity they share, a promise to stand together no matter what trials may come. As Matteo and Genevieve embrace, the chapter gently reminds us of the power of connection and devotion.

The temporary tattoo they share is more than just a symbol-it's a testament to their commitment and the legacy they carry, hinting at the weight of family expectations and loyalty that may soon test their unity. As the couple clings to these intimate moments, the undercurrents of anxiety and protection are sure to intensify, revealing the depths of their fears and hopes. Matteo's promise to keep Gen and their unborn child safe will be put to the test, and readers can expect a delicate balance of tenderness and turmoil.