Chapter 17
MASSIMO
I make my way up to my room, where Zeno and Urso have already said all the women, minus Sofia, have officially gathered. We need to talk to them, and I’m the messenger the rest of the men think they won’t kill on sight.
Lucky me.
This is all a fucking mess. Everyone is putting on a determined front, but I know we’re all concerned.
The problems just keep coming from every angle, and we don’t have a lot of time to prepare.
Which is exactly why we need all the information we can get.
Nothing’s too big or too small, and we need Urso and Zeno to get back to work on decoding all of Orlando’s files.
We also need Lucy to tell us what she remembers when she was held. Maybe Leonardo slipped up and told Lucy something we can use.
I don’t like the idea of stressing out Lucy anymore than we already have, but feelings and worries have to be pushed aside.
I also hope she’s not overwhelmed talking with the women.
I don’t think the girls will purposely upset her, but we’re throwing so much at her all at once, I doubt she’s going to be just taking it in stride.
Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised to find her searching every window to see which ones will open so she can slip out with Soren.
Thank God for Nico’s parents obsessive need to be protected. All the windows in this place don’t open, and they’re bulletproof. They weren’t taking any chances. Though I’m still not convinced it was just for their protection, but also to make sure that no one could sneak out.
I’ll just make sure to keep those little tidbits to myself. Don’t need to give Lucy any other reasons to distrust us more than she already has.
I see Zeno and Urso talking quietly outside my room, but they straighten when they see me. “What’s up?” Zeno asks, brow furrowing when he sees my expression.
I tell him what I know. “We’re fucked if we can’t get more information,” I sigh, rubbing at the back of my neck.
Tension sits at the base, and I can feel a mild headache starting to form.
I rarely get them, but when I do, it fucking sucks.
“I’m here to get the women so we can talk. Including Lucy and Kida.”
Zeno and Urso exchange a look. “You sure that’s a good idea so soon?” Urso hedges.
“We don’t have another choice right now.”
“And you really think that letting her hear about assassins and shit is going to make her trust us?” Zeno asks dubiously.
I glare at him. The throbbing in my head worsens. “Do you really think I don’t know that? I don’t want to stress Lucy out anymore, but if we exclude her or her sister, they’re just going to take that as confirmation that we’re up to no good.”
“Or they’re going to make a run for it at the first opportunity.”
“Then we’ll have to make sure all the exits are blocked,” Urso states with a shrug.
“But they might surprise us and take it better. Especially if they see the other women are handling it okay. They’re all in there talking and no one is screaming or crying, other than the baby, and I’m taking that as a positive sign. ”
I fucking hope so.
“Well, if you’re going to be the scapegoat, I’m heading downstairs,” Zeno says with a sly smile.
“What, worried you’re going to get another bottle to the head?
” I taunt. Zeno flips me off. “Both of you need to get back to work on all the stuff you took from Orlando. We need to get into all that as soon as we can. There might be something on there that we can finally use to turn the tide. Every advantage is something we’re going to need before this is over.
” Both of them nod. “Okay, I’m going to talk to the women. ”
“Put on the charm and you’ll be just fine,” Urso grins. The two of them head off, and I take a deep breath. Why do I feel like I’m walking into a firing squad?
I knock and open the door, stopping just inside when I see all the women sprawled around the room. All but Lucy. Where is she? My eyes zoom in on the partially shut walk-in closet door. Maybe she’s changing?
“What’s up, handsome?” Rori asks, pulling my gaze to her. I take her in, and while the stress is clear on her face, she gives me an easy smile. Ever resilient.
“We need all of you to come down to Nico’s office. We have some new developments and we need to talk things through.”
Everyone goes silent, staring at me. Gia’s face turns fearful, and she rushes off the bed and out the door.
Sienna and Rori share a look before they nod and hurry out.
That just leaves Amara and Kida, both who are staring at me with a mixture of expressions.
Kida is distrustful, suspicious, while Amara is concerned and uncertain.
“Is everything okay?” Amara asks as she slowly gets to her feet from her position on the bed.
No, but no need to upset her more. “Everything will be fine, cara mia,” I assure her calmly. It will be, so I’m not lying, but it might take a bit more time than planned. “It’s a lot to talk about so we might as well say it all at once, yes?” She nods slowly.
“Why am I being asked to be there?” Kida asks softly. Her eyes never leave me.
“Because you’re part of this now, and you might as well meet everyone as well.
We’re not hiding shit from you, Kida. If we wanted to do that, would I be here?
” I keep my tone even, though the throbbing in my head makes me want to snap.
She has no reply to that, just watches me. Calculating. “Where’s Lucy?”
“She’s feeding Soren,” Kida finally answers. “I’ll get her.”
“I’ll talk to her,” I say instead, already moving toward the walk-in closet. The last thing I need is Kida telling her they need to run. And from the look on her face when I glance at her over my shoulder, that is exactly what she was planning on doing.
I give a quick knock on the door. “I’m coming out, Kida,” Lucy’s voice calls back softly. “Soren is refusing to burp for me. He might need your magic touch.”
The door isn’t shut completely, so I push it open and say, “It’s me, actually.
Perhaps I can try for you?” Lucy’s gaze flies up to mine.
She’s sitting on the ottoman, her clothes slightly rumpled, with Soren balanced on her thigh, her hand wrapped around his small little head to keep him steady as she pats him on the back.
I approach her carefully, extending my hands. “May I?”
She hesitates, but Soren lets out an angry sound, and she finally nods. I gently take him from her, sit next to her, and balance the baby exactly as she had him, and patting his back a little firmer. I can feel Lucy watching me, ready to snap him away from me if I do anything she doesn’t like.
It takes another minute, but finally Soren lets out a very loud burp. Lucy and I look at each other and smile. “I guess you have the magic touch as well.” She gives a rueful shake of her head. “You and Kida need to tell me your secret. It normally takes me forever to get him to do that for me.”
“Perhaps he can sense your anxiety,” I suggest, turning the baby to lie in the crook of my arm. “Or he’s just being stubborn like most sons are with their mothers. We like to test them from a young age.” I wink at her, and she smirks back.
“Perhaps.” She glances at Soren again. “Are you sure you want to keep holding him? He’s liable to spit up all over your expensive suit before long.”
“What’s a little spit up between men, yes, ometto?
” Soren kicks his feet in what I’ll take as an affirmative answer.
“As for my suit, it can always be cleaned, so don’t worry.
” She doesn’t look convinced, but she doesn’t argue.
Progress. However, I’m about to smash that to pieces, I’m sure.
“I came in to tell you that we would like to talk to you and the other women down in Nico’s office. ” My tone is gentle, even cautious.
She stiffens. “Why?”
“We need to talk to you about what you might remember when you were with your father and brothers—”
“Please don’t call them that,” she interrupts tightly. “I don’t care if they are biologically related to me. I have a father who loves me, and while I don’t have brothers, I have a sister and they are the only ones I’m claiming as family.”
She doesn’t mention the women, but perhaps she’s still wavering on them. “Yes, I can do that, dolcezza. We need to know what Leonardo and his sons said while they had you, but we also need to talk to a few of the other women about a few things. We felt it would be better to just do it all at once.”
“And you think that if we’re all there, I won’t be intimidated and try to run.”
Yep. Smart. I cock my head in acknowledgment.
Her lips pinch. “The sooner this is over, the sooner we can all return to normal.” I look down at Soren.
“And the sooner you and your son can stop worrying about what might be coming.” Am I an asshole for pulling her son into this? Probably, but it’s the truth.
She lets out a small sigh. “Do I really have a choice?”
“There is always a choice, Lucy, but this time we really do need your help. Please?”
Her eyes search mine then she glances at the open door.
I can hear Kida talking softly to Amara, not that I can make out what they’re saying.
Hopefully Amara is going to calm Kida down a bit, though to be fair, Amara is new to this as well.
When Lucy looks back at me, she nods. “Is everyone going to be there?”
“Yes, but there is no need to be intimidated, dolcezza. You’re safe with us.”
“You keep saying that, but time will tell.” She stands and moves toward the back of the closet. “I just need to put on another sling.”
I watch in fascination as she finds another long piece of fabric with a ring and makes quick work of wrapping it around herself.
How the hell does she know how to do all that?
It looks confusing as shit. She wraps it over her shoulder, and then around her breasts, tightening and knotting things in place.
It also plumps up and emphasizes her breasts, and I try not to stare at them too much, but it’s nearly impossible.
Fuck, she’s beautiful. Even with the bruises, cuts, and swollen lip, there is no hiding how stunning she is.
I noticed it this morning when I walked out of my room, but I was more focused on making sure she was alright, relaxed.
Now, I can really look at her. Strands of her dark hair have fallen out of her braid to frame around her face, giving her a soft look, and with the way she’s securing the wrap, it highlights her slim waist, and the curve of her ass.
Hell, she doesn’t even look like she’s had a baby in the last month. Other than the fuller breasts and the slight roundness of her belly, they’re the only signs that she’s had a child.
There isn’t a part of her that I don’t like.
Finally, she walks back to me and holds out her hands. “Hand him over.”
I carefully pass Soren to her, watching as she slips him expertly into the sling. Soren makes a sound of annoyance, clearly unhappy to be in this new position. Lucy murmurs something to him softly, brushing her lips over the top of his tiny head. There is such love on her face.
Something hard hits me in the chest as I stare at the sight.
Something that makes me uneasy, but also desperate to see more of it.
The lights in here are bright, making Lucy’s eyes sparkle as they look down at her son.
Seeing her like this makes something inside me ache.
I want that. I want them. I want to see this over and over again.
Is this what Nico, Alessio, and Lazaro feel with their women? Lust is second nature to me, but I’ve never wanted anyone for myself. And now I want a woman and her son?
No, I need to think about this.
I force myself to take a small step back and gesture for her to go ahead of me. “After you, cara mia,” I say gallantly, falling back into practiced easy charm.
When we emerge from the closet, Kida’s eyes narrow before she looks at her sister. “Did he tell you?” she asks Lucy.
Lucy nods. “It’s fine, Kida.”
Kida’s frown deepens, but she doesn’t argue. Instead, she looks at me. “I need a rundown of the players, dude. I don’t like going into anything unknowing.”
“I’ll tell you on the way,” I promise as I usher them all to the door.
Lucy falls into step beside me as we walk down the hall. I give Kida a brief rundown of everyone she’ll meet, and I can see her digesting the information with a thoughtful gaze. I am also keenly aware of how close Lucy is to me. Is she doing it on purpose? Is it because she feels safer with me?
A small frisson of pleasure skates down my spine.
When we finally reach Nico’s office, I open the door and gesture for them all to walk in.
Lucy looks apprehensive, letting Amara and Kida go first. I gently put a hand on her lower back and murmur, “Everything will be okay, cerbiatta.” The term little deer fits her as she stares up at me with big, doe eyes, unsure of whether to run or not.
Finally, she gives me a small nod and walks inside.