13. Sandro #2
We had just reached the top of the stairs when my phone chimed in my pocket. Leo smiled at me, then went to sit on the side of the bed. “I’m sure that’s Rio.”
I was as well, as I hadn’t messaged anyone else, nor did I get a large number of messages. I pulled out my phone and sat beside Leo. We read the reply together.
Rio: It’s never inconvenient for me to come and help.
There are two options. I can bring some tea for Leo and the two of you can continue your time away from the coven.
Or I can bring the two of you back to Italy and we can see to Leo’s care here.
It is completely your choice. I’ll wait for a response before dropping in either way.
Leo looked over at me. “I’m happy either way,” he said. “It might not be terrible to go back to Italy. You can have something to do while I sleep the afternoons away, apparently, because I’m obviously tired.”
“Are you certain? We will, of course, have privacy, but it’s not going to be like it is here. There will be activity in the house.”
Leo snorted. “I grew up in a pride house. There was always activity there.”
After a moment of us looking at each other more intensely than I think the moment warranted, I nodded and then messaged Rio back.
Me: We’re ready to return to Italy. Leo’s energy is low and we’ve explored everywhere here we could. He’s ready for real carbonara and naps. Give us a bit to pack up, and then we’ll be ready to return.
I sent the message and then stood, handing my phone to Leo. “You hold this, and I’ll go into the bathroom and grab our things from there.”
“All right. I can help. And I’d really like to brush my teeth after getting sick. And I have a cracker stuck in the back on a molar that is being extra stubborn and won’t come out.”
I chuckled at that. “Then you can brush your teeth while I get our things packed,” I told him.
Leo and I went into the bathroom, and even though it only took me a few minutes to grab our things, he was finished and left before I did.
I placed everything in the smaller bag that was specifically for them, and then I went back to the bedroom, where I found Leo sitting on the bed again.
He had my phone in his hand, and he held it out to me.
“Rio messaged again. He said he will be here in ten minutes, but that was a couple of minutes ago.”
“Not an issue. We have very little here with us, and we’re not exactly messy people.” That was something I was grateful for. I would accept my beloved being messy, but he was inherently tidy, which was a bit of a relief.
“Are you excited to get back to the coven?” Leo asked. “I know from your memories that it can cause you pain because your brother isn’t there anymore.”
“I will always miss Vitto. He was much more excited about life than I have ever been. But his time was cut short, and I have learned to accept that. There was nothing I could have done to prevent that. It is sad, yes,” I said, “but I have you, and although you aren’t a replacement for him and never will be, you give me a purpose.
You might not believe me when I say it, but you are an amazing man, Leo.
I’m very much looking forward to making memories with you in Italy. ”
“I’d like that,” Leo said. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do though.”
I smiled at my beloved. “Whatever it is that you wish. For the time being though, I’d very much like for you to take things slow and rest. That’s it. You are growing a new little being, and it’s going to take a lot of energy from you.”
Leo sighed. “I don’t know if I can sit around doing not much of anything.”
“You won’t be. You’ll be sleeping. Which is what your body is telling you that you need.
Growing another person is hard work. Your body needs rest because it’s working overtime doing that.
I’ve shown you all of my accounts. We’ll get you added to them as soon as we’re back in Italy.
You can spend your days shopping online.
Or if you prefer to go to the shops, we can arrange that as well.
” Even though I wasn’t one of the more active men in the coven family business, I was still a target, which was quite obvious after I’d been captured by Piscano’s men.
Unfortunately for Leo, being my beloved now meant that his life was going to forever change in that he wouldn’t be able to leave the villa alone.
Ever. But despite that, Leo was going to live a cozy life.
I put the bag on the bed before I went to the cassettiera and started opening drawers. Once I had my clothes stacked, I brought them over and placed them in the dresser. I did the same for Leo, and it seemed to be perfect timing because Rio called out from below just as I was zipping the bag.
“Ciao?”
I smiled at Leo.
“We’re up here,” I called back. “Are you ready to head home?” I asked Leo.
“I am. I’m excited to meet your family and to see where you live.”
“Then I guess it’s time. At least to see where I live.
I’m certain that several of the others have already retired to their suites for the evening.
But there is always tomorrow morning. We try to eat together as a family, but the food is always available for a window of time.
And you can always go to the kitchen and have whatever at any time.
The kitchen never closes, but those who prepare our food are off after the evening meal until breakfast.”
Leo shrugged at me. “I’m good with whatever. I’m not picky, and I know how to cook if I get hungry.”
Leo stood and went to retrieve his smaller bag that he’d had stashed in the locker. It was heartbreaking to think about him running from his pride with only what was in that bag. I was certainly going to see that he was spoiled for the rest of his life.
“I’m ready,” Leo said once he had the bag slung over his shoulder. I picked up the larger one, and we slowly made our way down the stairs to a waiting Rio. He was leaning against the back of the sofa, and when he saw us, he smiled.
“It is good to see the two of you,” he said. “I had wished for another week before doing so, but I do understand the reasoning.” He turned his attention to Leo. “How are you feeling now? Still nauseous?”
“A little. I’ve only had ginger ale and crackers. Maybe something else to eat would help.”
“He’s not had a whole lot to eat in the last day or two. It was when I first picked up on the baby.”
“Yes, certainly. I can give him a tin of tea, and it should help with the sickness. It’ll also help improve a bit of his energy, but not all. It simply happens in the beginning.” Rio looked back at Leo. “Are you good to travel, or do you wish for tea and some time for it to take effect first?”
Leo shook his head. “I’m good to travel. I’m thinking some of your tea, some more crackers, and then a sofa or bed for a nap.”
Rio and I both chuckled at that. “Those can certainly be arranged,” Rio told him. “Let’s get you home, then. Everyone is excited to meet you, but none more than Abel again. He’s looking forward to having another shifter in the villa. Although I would imagine you can no longer shift.”
Leo sighed. “Yeah, no. That went away last week, and I should have realized then what that meant. We’ve been busy hiking and visiting the little towns, and I’ve just not thought about it.” Leo looked up at me. “I’m sorry, Sandro. If I’d thought about that, I could have told you last week.”
I reached out and cupped the side of his face.
“There’s no need to apologize. We have been busy, and knowing now is just as exciting as knowing last week.
” I kissed his forehead, and Leo leaned into me, and I felt his body relax.
I wrapped my arm around his shoulders, and when I looked up at Rio, I nodded.
That was all it took for my stomach to feel the familiar flip, and we were suddenly standing in the middle of my own suite back in Italy.
It was dark outside the windows, reminding me of the time difference once more.
“Here’s the tea,” Rio said. “There is a tin of it for you on the counter in the kitchen. Sandro knows how to brew it and where everything is. I’ll leave him to give you the tour.
But the tea will help with the stomach. There is a light meal over on the table in the corner,” Rio added.
“If there is anything else either of you should need, Sandro, you know where I am.”
“Yes. Thank you, Rio. For everything.”
Rio nodded once and then offered a smile. “My pleasure.” He was gone just as quickly as we had arrived here.
I looked down at Leo, who was holding the mug of tea and looking around the room.
Mine was a bit different than some of the other suites in that I had two rooms already.
I had an outer room that we were in, and the bedroom was in the other room.
We were also on the first floor, while many of the others were upstairs.
“Your place is really nice, but I’m thinking a tour tomorrow. Or whenever. But I want to drink the tea and then crash. You have a bed, right?” Leo asked, looking around.
I chuckled again. “I do. It’s through the door there,” I told him as I pointed to it. “The bathroom is in there as well. Perhaps we can sit, and while you drink your tea and eat a small something, you can think about what you want to see first tomorrow?”
Leo nodded, and when he smiled up at me, I could see just how tired he was. We would take care of that very soon. But first, he needed to, at the very minimum, drink his tea, or he was going to end up running to the toilet yet again.