The Family Secret: BWWM Romance Novel

By Jamila Jasper

Book #2 of the MAFIA ROMANCE SERIES, Becoming A Riccardi 

Eve never thought she'd fall for a guy in the mafia. 

But she did -- and now they have a beautiful baby boy.

A tragic event devastates their family.

For their love to survive, Eve and Nico will have to fight against something bigger than both of them.

...And more importantly, they'll have to save their son's life. 

This BWWM novel is an extra-steamy read so hot it might melt your Kindle.

Book #1: Mad Mafia Love
Book #2: You are here! 
Book #3: Out Of Bondage

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publisher s23991
• Release date: Nov 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9788827511268

Jamila Jasper

Jamila Jasper is a 32-year-old romance author who just moved to a small corner of New England. She's always been in love with black romantic comedies and writing interracial romance fan fiction. This love of writing has morphed into a passion for publishing BWWM novels. Jamila concocts, sweet full-length romance novels with guaranteed happily ever after endings, each one with a creative, strong female lead and an attractive, caring white man. Sign up for her e-mail list here to receive FREE stories, exclusive offers and an update of Jamila's publication schedule:  Bit.ly/jamilajasper  Hit this link to get text message updates from me: https://slkt.io/gxzM

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Mad Mafia Love Synopsis

Book #1 Synopsis [Spoilers]

Eve, an African American candy store owner meets a teenaged boy escaping from a dangerous man. Closing time approaches, and a man named Nico, who she presumes to be the dangerous man enters her store, searching for a boy exactly like the one who’d entered her store earlier. Despite his intimidating energy, Eve feels drawn to this tall Italian man with dazzling blue eyes. Failing to find the teenaged boy, he leaves her to close up shop.

On her way home after closing, Eve gets kidnapped by a fat Italian man named Giuseppe. This man is also looking for the boy -- the only difference is he’s far more terrifying than Nico, the man she met earlier. Giuseppe warns her against trusting Nico.

When Nico shows up in Eve’s life again, she can’t resist him. She finds that he is no threat and the attraction between them is difficult not to act upon. As she falls deeper in love with Nico, she must avoid upsetting his mafia father who believes he has her loyalty.

When their relationship is discovered, Giuseppe tells Eve some shocking news about Nico -- claiming that he killed his twin brother back in Italy. Again, Eve isn’t sure who to trust.

Nico comes to her with the truth about everything and with more evidence that he’s exactly who he says he is. Giuseppe grows angry and both of their disloyalty and seeks to punish them. In a blow out fight, Eve and Nico manage to escape. However, the city of Boston is no longer safe for them and they must return to Italy.

Before returning to Italy, Nico proposes to Eve and Eve reveals that she’s pregnant with his child -- a boy who they plan to name Matteo.

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 plan 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

Chapter 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.

While they had left the specter of Giuseppe behind for now, Nico was still concerned. Eve was naïve about his concerns — and Nico intended to keep her that way — but Giuseppe would never stop being a problem to him. What mattered now was maintaining that buffer and ensuring that Giuseppe stayed across the Atlantic while he built safety nets in his home country.

Nico rocked Matteo back and forth as he heard the kettle whistling in the kitchen.

​

Green tea? Eve called.

Black! Nico replied as he continued to rock his son.

Matteo’s smiling turned into giggling and Nico couldn’t help but crack a smile himself.

"Ti voglio bene," He whispered to his son before kissing his forehead again.

Eve walked into the room and watched as Nico rocked their son. He made an excellent father — a far better father than she could have ever imagined. He’d settled into the role well. Eve thought about the first time she’d met Nico. Back then, she never would have guessed that the tall, foreboding man who had entered her Boston candy store would ever be the father of her child.

​

I have our tea.​

She set the piping hot mugs on their coffee table and moved to the couch.

I’ll set him in the crib. Think he’ll start crying?

Eve shook her head. She’d been blessed with the rare instance of having a baby who wasn’t particularly fussy. Even as a tiny infant, Matteo seemed to possess his father’s cool demeanor. Funny how that worked. Even early on, Matteo seemed to possess bits and pieces of both of them. He had Eve’s hair texture, but Nico’s hair color. He had his mother’s face, but his father’s demeanor.

Nico set Matteo in his crib and then joined Eve on the couch. She settled in closer to him. Nico put his arm around Eve and allowed her to rest her head on his shoulder. Unwinding from the day was always a slow, ritual. A cool breeze wafted through the room and their breath synchronized with the soft breeze. Slowly, slowly, the day faded off of them.

The living room smelled like clean cotton and possessed an almost Scandinavian minimalism with teak woods and bleached whites. The room felt like how classical music sounds — sweet, peaceful and homey. Eve had never felt so relaxed in Boston. Back home, there was always noise, always some frenetic city buzz. Here, there was just quiet and maybe the sound of birds chirping as they sailed past the window.

Eve inhaled, taking in her husband’s scent. His cologne mixed in with his natural body odors from the day and that raw masculine scent wafted into her nostrils, causing her to feel more at home than before.

It’s crazy isn’t it?

​

What’s crazy? Nico said.

Since moving back here, his Italian accent had grown even stronger. His English was still good because that was what they spoke at home. But unlike while he was in the United States, Nico made no attempts to diminish his thick Italian accent.

It’s crazy that we met in my candy store so long ago… It’s crazy that we have a son… It’s crazy how much life we have left to live together.​

Crazy… but amazing.

Nico kissed Eve’s forehead.

Your hair smells delicious, He whispered.

He took one of her two strand twists