On the way to JP's office, I run into my mom, and I can see the stress and worry on her face.

"Mamma, are you mad at me, too?" I pull her into a hug, and her arms wrap around me in return tightly.

"No, no mad, Stellina mia." She tells me as she sniffles. "I just scared for you, but you are so strong, no like me, but I proud of you. You protect those you love."

She pulls away and cups my face. "You talk to John Paul?"

I shake my head, "No, not yet. I'm on my way to his office," I bite my lip as I look around, "How mad do you think he is?"

She smiles at me softly, "Not mad like yesterday. Yesterday, it's like whole house shake with his anger." She chuckles when I widen my eyes. "I joke, Stella, but he very upset; he loves you so much, figlia. He no want to lose you again, but hard to watch you with someone else, too."

I take a deep breath, "Well, I'm sure you'll hear some more yelling soon."

She smiles, "Good luck," She kisses my cheek before she heads to the kitchen. I watch as Cristian walks out and greets her but then follows her back into the kitchen; I smile as they talk with one another.

As I approach JP's office, I raise my fist to knock but stop when I hear shouting in Italian coming from within the office.

"I do not apologize for my choice, Adonis. Yes, I understand the risk involved, but there is always risk, no? I would do it again."

That sounds like Nicky.

"Yes, there is always risk, Nicola. But you do not take risks when it comes to Stella," Adonis counters.

"She's not some fragile kitten. Her plan was efficient for not having a lot to work with or time to prepare, and she took most of the men out before I even had a chance," Nicky argues.

"You know what the expectation is when I brought you on."

"Yes, she is John Paul's queen; she's been treated as such, has she not? And as his queen, she has as much authority as he does. She gave an order, and I followed it, and I would do it again."

JP's queen? I press my ear against the door to hear a little better.

"You put her in danger, Nicky. You know the consequences for that. I'm sorry, but you will no longer be working here."

I rush into the room.

"You're not firing anyone, Adonis. I put myself in danger, and Nicky did what I asked. So don't take this out on him," I glare at Adonis.

"I'm sorry, Stella, but the decision's been made," Adonis stands.

"Va bene, non preoccuparti, Signorina Stella," Nicky stands and buttons his suit. (It's okay, don't worry, Miss Stella)

"Siediti non vai da nessuna parte!" I order Nicky, and he plops down on the chair. (Sit down; you're not going anywhere)

I turn my attention back on Adonis. "He stays. He'll be my personal detail at all times whether Enzo is around or not. I don't want anyone else. If that doesn't work, then I don't need any other guards."

"John Paul will have to make that decision," Adonis states firmly.

I step up to him, "No. It's my life, my choice. Where is John Paul, anyway?"

"In his room, I believe," Adonis informs me.

"And where is that?" I question, trying to keep my voice still firm, realizing I've never actually been to his room.

Adonis looks at me, amused for a moment. "I'll take you there."

I nod and follow him but stop and turn back. "Ci vediamo domani, Nicky." (I'll see you tomorrow)

Nicky stands and walks towards me, taking my hand and kissing it. "Come desideri," (As you wish)

The walk to JP's room is long. "So...how is he?"

Adonis gives me a side glance. "You know him better than I do, Stella. But let's just say we need to patch several holes in the gym. Apparently, the punching bags were not enough for him to utilize. However, he seems significantly calmer today, but then again, he did ask me to dismiss Nicky in fear of committing murder."

I swallow nervously; that doesn't sound like he's calmed down at all. Then, finally, we come to a set of large double doors, and Adonis turns to me.

"I should warn you, he asked not to be disturbed unless it was regarding the children or an emergency," Adonis smirks at me before he turns away.

Great.

I look back at the doors and take a few deep breaths. I smooth my hair and straighten my clothes, but then I frown at myself.

What am I doing?

The way I look will not stop him from being angry or keep him from yelling at me. I take another few deep breaths, then square my shoulders; I might as well get this over with.

I hear nothing from the other side of the door after I knock. He can't be asleep already, can he?

I place my hand on the doorknob, but then the thought that he could be indisposed comes to my mind; what if he's showering?

I step back and bite my thumbnail, playing this out in my head.

Maybe I should text him?

No, stop being a coward, Stella.

I knock again before I turn the doorknob and walk in. The room is dimly lit with a single lamp, and I'm surrounded by the scent of JP instantly; and I close my eyes, inhaling deeply. There's soft music playing, but I can't see where it's coming from.

"This better be a fucking emergency, Donny." JP's deep voice pierces through my thoughts, and I open my eyes to look around; and as my eyes adjust to the darkroom, I see him sitting in a chair, leaning forward with his head in his hands. His hair is loose and falling over his face. A drink is set near his chair.

I close the door behind me, "It's me."

JP's head snaps over in my direction. He looks at me for a long moment before he picks up his drink and finishes it before setting it back down again. He takes a deep breath then exhales as he leans back into the chair.

I move away from the door and make my over to him. I stand in front of him and lean against the window sill he's facing. His shirt is unbuttoned and hangs open against his body; my eyes travel over his exposed torso, and when I look at him, I see he's watching me.

The silence stretches on for a few minutes longer before I can't take it any longer. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Aren't you going to yell or scream at me?"

He looks back at me before he runs a hand through his hair, "I'm not in the mood."

I scoff, "Not in the mood?" I push myself away from the window sill. "Since when?"

JP stands and walks to a dresser, he slips out of his dress shirt and pulls on a T-shirt, and I should look away as he changes out of his pants into a pair of shorts, but I don't, and then heads to the bathroom in his room.

"You're just going to ignore me?" I follow him and see he begins to brush his teeth. "Fine, I'll do the talking then."

"I took it upon myself to follow Enzo, and I don't regret it. They would have killed him, and you know what that would have done to me, JP. Yes, I understand it could have meant my death, too, but it didn't; I just wish I moved quicker so Rocco wouldn't have died. And yes, I could have handled my leaving better with the older kids and everyone else, but I didn't want anyone to worry."

JP keeps his eyes focused on anything other than me as he brushes his teeth.

"If you're worried about me creating bigger problems with the Albanians, I'll take care of it. I don't know how exactly, but I will. It's my mess, so I'll figure it out."

JP spits out the toothpaste and turns around so quickly I back up into the door. "You think I care about what the fucking Albanians are going to do? They started a war with me when they attacked my men over some bad dealings that occurred decades before you or I were even fucking born."

I grin up at him, "Gotcha talkin'."

He looks down at me and groans in frustration as he heads back into his room. "You're so infuriating." He mutters.

"Yeah, well, you're stubborn." I follow him and watch as he removes his watch and sets it inside a drawer with several others. "Talk to me, JP. Yell or scream if you have to, but don't shut me out."

"You think I'm shutting you out?" He walks back to me.

"Well, you're not exactly telling me what's going on in that delicate yet thick skull of yours." I put my hands on my hips. "But that's always been our issue. Communication isn't our thing."

"You want to know what I'm thinking?" He steps closer to me.

I gesture at him to go on.

"I'm thinking about how I fucked everything up from the beginning. I'm thinking how fitting it is for me to have to watch you be with someone else after what I did to you. I'm thinking about how nothing is what it's supposed to be like for you, for Melanie's kids, for us.

And yes, I was furious, but not because you helped Enzo. It was because you went behind my back, and I know it's because you don't trust me. And that's on me. You don't confide in me enough to talk to me, so you risked yourself by doing this on your own," He turns away and looks out his window. "But...as I watched you, I was in awe of you, Stella. The way you moved so focused, so expertly and efficient; it was amazing to see."

He moves again towards his bed and sits on the edge.

I walk over to him and notice his hands that he's placed on his knees. I pick one up and trace over his knuckles, evidence of what Adonis said happened, mark his hands.

"And I was scared I'd lose you." He says quietly as he lifts his other hand to my face before he pulls me close to him, and he inhales deeply as he wraps his arms around me.

"You are so amazing, Stella," He says against my stomach. "So brave, strong, and smart."

"You forgot funny, talented, and beautiful." I joke. He moves his head away to look up at me, and he chuckles.

"Those go without saying, amore mio."

"Still, they're nice to hear," I continue to banter with him.

"I'm sure your boyfriend does his fair share of complimenting you, love."

I take a deep breath and step away from JP, "Actually, Sean was angrier than you believe it or not. He wants me to walk away from everything with him. He says we weren't meant for this world; that he would help raise the kids with me."

I look over my shoulder when JP doesn't say anything; his gaze is focused on the floor.

I stare out the window again. "The thing is, I don't want to leave everything and everyone." I look back at him again, and he lifts his head to look at me. "My family is here, and I'm a part of this world whether I want to be or not. My name will follow me wherever I go."

JP stands and walks closer to me, "What are you saying, princess?"

"I'm saying, I haven't made an actual decision yet, and I don't want to get your hopes up, but I told Sean I need space."

I shake my head, amused as JP's face break into his handsome smile, but then he tries to hide it to look serious as he tucks his bottom lip in his teeth. He picks my hand up and kisses the palm of my hand, and then interlaces his fingers with mine. "I think space is good." He nods to himself as he looks at our hands before his eyes meet mine. "It's good to take time to assess things thoroughly."

I nod as he trails his fingers along my face lightly.

"I love you; I never stopped, and I know you love me, Stella, but you're scared I'm going to hurt you the way I did again," He lifts my chin, so I meet his gaze. "I swear on every one of the kids' lives that I won't. I'll probably say stupid shit and make you angry at me, but I would die for you, amore.

I know you have strong feelings for Sean. And as much as I hate to admit he may be the better man in a lot of ways, I know you don't love him."

I furrow my eyebrows.

He cups my face as he talks, and his voice is soft; there's no arrogance or smugness in his face. Instead, I see the sincerity in his eyes and even the love he has for me. "I know you, princess, and I know your heart doesn't skip a beat when you see him. You don't hunger for him; he doesn't light a fire within in you. He gives you a sense of safety and maybe security, but he doesn't make you feel alive."

I narrow my eyes at him, not liking how what he's saying is somewhat true...

JP smiles softly, "Dance with me." I start to move away, knowing it's probably not a good idea, but he pulls me up against him and starts moving, guiding us along with the song playing in the background.

He dips his head down by my neck. "I love this song," He tells me quietly. "It's says everything I feel about you, Stella." He brings my hands around his neck, and then his arms wrap around my waist.

He leans back to look at me, "You're the strongest person I've ever known, Stella. I know you don't need me, but I need you."

I can't look away as he looks deeply into my eyes, and then he leans his forehead against mine.

He presses me up against him as we move around the room slowly.

My heart rate and breathing pick up as he moves his head down again, and he trails his nose down the side of my face; his beard gives me a prickling sensation while at the same time sends a heat running through me.

Then he skims his nose against my neck as he inhales deeply.

His arms tighten around me and then moves me in a way that makes me lean away in a swinging motion while our waists are pressed against each other.

He pulls me back up to him, and I hold onto him tightly, inhaling his calming scent deeply.

He trails his hands down my back soothingly, and then I feel as his hands move down lower, and then he lifts me and has me wrap my legs around him. He leads us over to his bed, and he sits with me, straddling him. I brush his long hair away from his face.

JP watches me as I move my fingers through his soft, thick hair. My fingers trace over his beard and then his lips. His eyes move down to my mouth, and I find myself biting my lip as I think about the kiss he gave me at Annalisa's and Joey's wedding.

He lifts his hand to my face and pulls down on my lip with his thumb.

"God, I want to kiss you so badly," JP whispers.

"'kay," I whisper as I look at his lips, too.

"What?" JP looks back at me, confused.

I shrug slightly, "Just one kiss. Unless you're afraid, you can't control yourself."

JP smirks, "What if you want more?"

I shake my head in response.

JP chuckles, "We'll see."

I moisten my lips in anticipation, and he watches me carefully. "Are you ready?" He asks me, smiling.

I roll my eyes, but then he grabs my face, and I stop breathing as he looks at me so intently I get lost in his dark eyes as his thumb brushes against my lips, and I close my eyes.

I can feel as JP leans in and then lightly touches his lips to mine. He moves his lips slowly at first, and as he uses a little more pressure, I hear myself moan quietly. I don't know if it's because of his beard or if it's because of how it feels to be kissed by him, but a pulsing begins in between my legs immediately.

He deepens the kiss and kisses me so sensually yet passionately, and at one point, he bites my bottom lip as his hands travel down my back, and he grips onto my ass firmly and pulls me closer to him.

I have a tightness build deep within my core, and I find myself gripping onto him tightly. I feel a wave of pleasure building as he continues to kiss me, dragging his bottom lip along my mouth, and a moan comes deep within my throat. I try to match his intensity as his mouth moves over mine, but I'm feeling myself come apart.

What is going on?

The familiar tightening, deep in my core, is peaking at the edge, and I find myself trembling against him while trying to hold on at the same time as the wave goes through me.

JP pulls away from me, "Did you just---?"

"No. No, I just need to go." I stop him, not wanting to admit I just had an orgasm from just a kiss. I didn't know that was even possible. I scramble off of him and attempt to stand, and instantly collapse as my legs are too weak to hold my weight at the moment.

"Shit, are you okay?" JP kneels and helps me stand, and deja vu hits me when I wanted to seduce him as the embarrassment settles over me.

"I'm fine," I tell him, but I'm still coming down from the wave and having a hard time focusing; my vision seems blurry, too, but I try to take a step and start swaying.

JP chuckles, "Sure, you are." He lifts me into his arms and kisses my cheek; a mixture of a moan and whimper escapes involuntarily, my body betraying me, which makes JP chuckle again.

"Don't worry, amore, I've got you." He starts heading for his door to take me to my room.

"No."

He stops to look at me, and I look back at him shyly.

"Can I stay here...with you? Please?"

He moves away from the door and walks us over to the bed and pulls the covers back, and then lays me down in his bed. He turns the lamp off but keeps the music playing softly.

When he gets in the bed, he pulls me close to him, wrapping his arms around me, and I smile, moving as close to him as I can before I drift off to sleep.

~~~~~~

Super cute moment for these two with a little heat, hahaha.

They've come a long way from how they used to (or not) communicate with each other.