35. Alina
Chapter thirty-five
Alina
ONE MONTH LATER
Why do you seem nervous?
I remove my jacket as we enter Cecilia’s house. “I’m not.”
You are.
“You’re imagining it.” I stand on my tiptoes and press a chaste kiss to Mauro’s cheek. “I’m just excited to see everyone.”
We always see them. In fact, I think we’ve been seeing everyone too much.
He was right. Ever since the incident that nearly took Mauro from us, everyone has been around much more than usual. Because of that, Mauro hasn’t had much time alone.
But it’s only because they love him.
And if he really wanted to have his alone time, I know he’d tell them.
He’s just too much of a softy when it comes to his family and won’t admit that he enjoys having them around.
I playfully smack his chest. “Be nice.”
I’m always nice.
I lift a shoulder. “I think you’ll enjoy this dinner.” I step away, but he grips my shoulder, gently pushing me against the wall. His body towers over mine, his eyes darkening.
I don’t like surprises. His hand grips my waist, his body angling toward mine.
“Oh?” I trail my finger across his chest, back and forth.
“But I think you’ll like this one.” I flatten my palm, dragging my hand down his torso.
I trace his belt buckle and slide my hand lower over his hardening cock.
I grip him through the denim, and he groans, closing his eyes.
“I think you’ll like it a lot. And if you behave…
” I remove my hand, and his lids pop open.
“I’ll finish what I started.” I slip under his arm and stride toward the dining room.
When I glance over my shoulder, he’s fixing his pants with a devilish grin.
You’re going to pay for that.
I wink. I’m looking forward to it.
“There you two are.” Cecilia approaches, wrapping me in a warm embrace. “Dinner is almost ready.” She looks past me and, seeing that Mauro is a safe distance away, whispers, “We must have practiced at least a dozen times this morning.”
Mauro appears by my side, snaking his arm around my waist.
“Darling,” Cecilia coos as Mauro lowers his head so she can kiss his cheek. “How are you feeling? Did you get the soup I sent over?”
He nods.
“Good.” Her attention returns to me. “And how is Gregory doing?”
I smile. “He’s doing much better. I think he’s adjusting to his new residence nicely. They’ve all been great with him.”
One of the first things Mauro did after leaving the hospital, besides taking care of Kazimir, was to find a highly recommended memory care facility with some of the world’s top doctors in attendance. He also ensured a team of security personnel was assigned. Money was no object for him.
The only downside is that it’s almost a two-hour drive, but I’ve been able to see him a few times. And every time I do, I swear he’s somehow getting better.
Or maybe that’s just me being optimistic.
“Look who it is,” Madeleine says in a high-pitched voice. “It’s your uncle Mauro.”
She walks over with Clara in her hands, secured to her chest. The little girl’s chubby fingers reach for Mauro, who takes her in his arms. She strokes her hands over his beard, laughing, which causes Mauro to grin, rubbing the tip of his nose over hers.
Oh, shit… I think my ovaries just exploded.
“How adorable is my granddaughter?” Cecilia gazes between the two of them, her eyes glossing over.
“Where’s Alex?” I ask, discreetly tugging at the collar of my sweater to get some air.
“He’ll be here soon,” Eli tells us, sliding up beside the group. “I think he’s in the process of firing the current nanny, so Madeleine offered to take Clara off his hands.”
“Is that the third one this week?” Leo asks, standing beside him.
“Be easy on him,” Scarlett remarks, patting his chest. “He likes things done a certain way, and this is all a lot of change for him.”
“Where’s my favorite little princess?” Vin asks, stepping up to Clara with outstretched hands. At the sight of him, she beams, her hands eagerly reaching for him.
“Win, Win,” she says excitedly, unable to pronounce her v’s.
He scoops her out of Mauro’s arms and snuggles her against his chest. “I have a surprise for you after dinner, but you can’t tell your daddy because he thinks I get the worst gifts, but he’s just jealous of my amazing gift-giving skills.” Clara bubbles with laughter.
“Just face it, you’re the worst with gifts,” Alex states as he advances to Clara. “Hi, sweetheart.” He looks at her with so much adoration in his eyes, extending his arms out for her, but Vin spins her away from him.
“You see her every damn day. It’s my turn with her.”
Alex grins. “Maybe I’ll consider hiring you as the new nanny.”
“Nah,” Vin says as Clara’s tiny fingers curl around his index finger. “I heard the hours suck and the boss is a major s-t-r-o-n-z-o.”
Alex sighs, rubbing his temple. “You’re probably right.”
“Hey, not true,” Madeleine exclaims. “This is your daughter we’re talking about.
Your own flesh and blood.” She slips her fingers around Clara and takes her away from Vin, who pouts.
Eli wraps his arm around Madeleine’s shoulders, looking down at them.
“You just want what’s best for her, and no one can blame you for that. ”
“But what happens if I never find someone who I trust with her?” He stares at Clara. “I never thought there’d be a time in my life when I loved someone so much I’d take a damn bullet for them, and it scares me.” He sighs. “I just want someone who feels the same way.”
Madeleine frowns with sympathy in her eyes. “You will.”
“Dinner is served,” the chef announces as she enters the room.
Cecilia leads us to the dining room, where the servers finish plating the dishes before disappearing back into the kitchen.
As Mauro and I follow behind, I can’t help but chuckle at the way Clara’s big grey eyes widen with every word Madeleine says to her.
“She’s so cute,” I mention.
Mauro stops and grips my wrist.
“What’s wrong?”
He swallows hard, looking at Clara and then back at me. Do you want one of those?
I grin. “By one of those, do you mean a baby?”
He nods.
I lift a shoulder. “Maybe someday. But right now, I’m happy with how things are with just you and me.”
The corners of his lips lift. Me too. But I also wouldn’t mind seeing a little one that looks like you running around our house.
“What if they look like you?”
He nods, deep in thought. I never thought of that. He shrugs. I always thought that if I had a kid, it would be a girl.
“You’ve…thought about this? About having kids?
I didn’t. At least, not until you.
Warmth blossoms across my chest. I stand on my tiptoes and brush my lips across his. “I love you, Mauro. And someday, I can’t wait to have our babies.”
“I…love…” He swallows hard, bringing his fingers up to his throat. “You,” he forces out.
Our lips connect in a slow, soft kiss.
Pulling back, I take his hand in mine. “Come on, husband. We have an important dinner to attend.” I lead us toward two empty chairs. Mauro pulls one out for me and then takes the seat beside mine.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
All of our eyes regard Vin as he stands with his glass in his hand. His dark eyes trail the length of the table, stopping on Mauro and me.
“As this family continues to grow, not only in strength but in numbers…” He quickly looks at Clara sitting on Madeleine’s lap, his eyes softening.
“I’m reminded how precious our time together is.
” He focuses on Mauro. “It’s true that you are known as the muscles of this family, but you are so much more than that to us.
” He places his crystal glass on the table and then takes a steady breath before signing, You have the biggest heart among us.
Mauro blinks a few times, stunned at what he just saw.
“But not only that,” Madeleine says, then signs, You’re the best listener too. She looks down at Clara. “Isn’t that right?” She taps her nose, which makes the little girl break out into a fit of laughter.
Alex smiles, glancing at his daughter, then turns to Mauro. You’re always there for us.
Cecilia stands, fighting back tears. I’m so honored to call you my son.
Scarlett straightens. You’re the best trainer.
Leo removes his arm from around Scarlett and signs, And the best big brother.
“Wait.” Vin’s brows pinch together. “I don’t remember practicing that one. I thought you were supposed to tell him he has the best side hook?”
“Yeah, I did.” Leo winks, making Mauro laugh.
He turns, facing me. There’s confusion dancing all over his face. What’s going on?
I tuck my hair behind my ear and glance around the table before returning my gaze to him.
“I know you didn’t want your family to feel burdened by learning ASL, but that’s not the case at all.
I told them you speak it fluently and have for some time now.
” I shrug. “They all want to learn so they can communicate with you. I’ve been giving them lessons for the past few weeks and will continue to do so.
” I lean in closer and whisper, “Some of them may need quite a bit longer than others to catch on…”
“I heard that,” Vin remarks.
I grin, resting my hand on Mauro’s thigh. “You’re not a burden, Mauro. You’re an essential member of this family. And we all love you.”
Mauro looks around at everyone, overwhelmed. He clears his throat and quickly wipes the back of his hand across his eyes. Thank you.
“I’m learning to speak a whole new language for you, and that’s all you have to say?” Vin asks with a wide grin.
Mauro raises his hand and flips him off.
“Now that sign, I know,” Vin says, causing us all to laugh.
Madeleine covers Clara’s eyes. “Hey, we have an impressionable mind over here!” One of the staff members approaches Madeleine to take a sleepy-looking Clara off to bed.
As the second course is being served, Samuel enters the room, urgency evident in his eyes as he looks directly at Vin. Approaching his side, he leans over and whispers to him.