Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Alessia studied her Daddy’s face as she sat cuddled on his lap on Sunday morning.
Titus still hadn’t explained what had happened on Friday night.
She’d gotten scared when he’d slammed down the drinks he was making and ran from the bar area after barking, “Stay!” at Alessia and Carina.
Another bartender had stepped into his place immediately, seamlessly picking up the drink-making process.
Concerned he was ill, Alessia had stood up to follow him when Carina grabbed her arm.
“He’s okay,” Carina assured her. “Just something behind the scenes that he needs to take care of.”
“Tell me what’s going on,” Alessia had demanded.
“I’m not getting my butt spanked,” Carina had blurted, shaking her head vigorously.
Trusting that her friend wouldn’t reassure her if something was truly wrong, Alessia turned her attention to Carina’s intriguing statement.
“Your Daddy spanks you?” Having a friend with a Daddy had helped Alessia compare her relationship with Titus to someone else’s.
Alessia appreciated that insight tremendously.
“Too often,” Carina had confessed, not looking upset at all. “Sometimes I deserve it.”
The two had been immersed in that titillating conversation when Titus reappeared. She’d smiled at him when he’d dropped a kiss on the top of her head before vaulting over the bar and diving into his entertaining drink concoctions. Titus patted his chest three times as their secret signal.
Distracted by Titus’s reminder that he loved her, she didn’t notice his change of clothing until her Daddy alerted Gio that he had some dirty laundry in the trunk. Titus didn’t answer her questions other than to share that it was handled.
“Are you ever going to tell me what happened on Friday at Nightfall?” she asked as they chatted during breakfast the next morning.
“Nope.”
“Daddy!”
“Everything is fine,” he assured her.
Alessia wrinkled her nose at him, hating that answer but accepting it. Titus never changed his mind. She’d learned that during her time with him. Making up her mind not to fret about minor details, Alessia devoted herself to exploring their relationship.
Since she’d arrived, Titus had cared for her with a degree of kindness and genuine connection that Alessia hadn’t ever experienced. She had no doubt she was number one on his list of priorities and treasured every moment with him.
“Little mate, this bite is perfect. See what you think,” Titus said, lifting the crispy edge of one of his pancakes to her lips. She opened her lips to accept the treat and leaned against his shoulder, savoring it.
“No more, Daddy,” she refused when he offered her another piece. “I’m full.”
“Then this one’s all for me,” he teased and popped the bite into his mouth. “Yum!”
She studied his handsome face, marveling at how lucky she was to live with him. “What should we do today? Maybe go to the zoo or shopping?”
“Is there something you need, Alessia?” he asked as wrinkles appeared on his forehead.
“No. Not really. I thought heading out somewhere would be fun. We always hang out here.” A idea popped into her mind. “Are you ashamed of me? Because I’m related to Enzo?”
“Absolutely not, Little mate. Your relationship to Enzo doesn’t affect who you are. Are you getting stir-crazy? We could take a trip away.”
“Like out of town?”
“Sure. I’d need to be back in town Friday night, but we have several days to explore another city. What sounds fun to you? We could jet off to Chicago? Have some deep-dish pizza?”
“I’m supposed to get together with Carina on Wednesday. She’s going to show me her nursery.”
“Fun. You’ll enjoy that. How about if we drive to the lake? It’s about two hours away. We could rent a hotel room for a couple of nights and have some fun.”
“Hmmm, I don’t know, Daddy. Are you worried that someone will see me around here? We could go to one of my favorite restaurants. It’s on the east side of the city.”
“I’ll be honest. Your family doesn’t have a clue where you are. You’re safer if no one alerts Enzo that you are still in town.”
“So, I’m a prisoner here?” The idea that she’d never be able to go anywhere—that her freedom was over forever—pissed Alessia off.
She’d thought being out from under Enzo’s thumb would allow her to do all the things she’d always dreamed of experiencing.
After her father’s death, Enzo had restricted her movements, but she’d always had hope that she could be free of him.
“You are not a prisoner, Little mate. Your brother is a problem now. He won’t be forever.”
“Do you promise?” she asked, searching his face to make sure he wasn’t lying to her.
“I promise, Alessia. Alaric tries not to interfere with the power structure of any town. Most people realize they can continue on with their lives before we came in, leaving us alone. Occasionally, a power-crazy madman can’t exist if he isn’t completely in control.
Unfortunately, Enzo may decide he can’t exist in conjunction with us. That choice eliminates him.”
Alessia stared at Titus, processing his words.
Images of her older brother when they were children popped into her mind.
He hadn’t always acted like this. Enzo had saved her kitten when Hazel got stuck on a high branch.
He’d played catch with their father and allowed her to join, giving Alessia his mitt so her hand didn’t sting when she caught the ball.
They’d made wonderful memories together in childhood.
“Enzo still has time to stop these attacks, but Alaric will cut the head off the snake if the beast continues to attack,” Titus said softly.
“Before the idea of preventing Enzo’s demise even pops into your head, shut it down.
You cannot rescue Enzo from his poor decisions.
At this point, I doubt Enzo can save himself. ”
She considered those words. They rang true in her head. Enzo might have listened to her as a child, but those days were long gone. The choices he’d made since her father’s death had changed him.
Titus wiped the moisture from her cheeks. The tears surprised her. When had she started crying? Her frustration with how powerless she felt now mingled with anger at her brother’s actions.
“I’m sorry, Little mate.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Let’s do something fun. Would you like to see your nursery?” he asked, tucking her hair behind her ears.
“I don’t have a nursery.”
“You do now. Let me show you.”
Titus carried her past the main staircase and the main bedroom.
He stopped at the next doorway and opened the nondescript wooden door.
A gasp of surprise burst from Alessia at the beautiful room.
Titus closed the wooden barrier behind him and walked to the oversized, padded rocking chair.
He sat down with her cradled on his lap.
“Titus….” Her voice trailed away.
“Daddy,” he reminded her softly. “I’ve noticed you prefer pink. Do you like the walls?”
She stared at the pale rose that glowed soft pink around her.
The muted floral pattern was understated and lovely.
Minute differences made her suspect the walls were hand-painted.
Alessia inhaled, expecting to enjoy the blossoms’ scent as well.
Instead, the air smelled like lemon furniture wax and maybe a hint of vanilla.
Instantly at ease, Alessia relaxed, sensing this was home.
Alessia pushed her Daddy’s chest to sit up straighter. “Did you paint this?”
“Yes, Alessia. I created this room several years ago. The design took several days to finish. As I added the faint petals on each blossom, I imagined how much I would treasure my mate when I finally found her.”
“It’s decorated with love,” she whispered in amazement as the sweet emotions he’d layered on with each stroke surrounded her.
“Yes,” he agreed.
“What if I hadn’t liked pink?” she whispered.
“I would have changed the color to something you enjoyed.”
His simple answer told her so much. The amount of effort he’d put into creating this gorgeousness wasn’t important. She was.
Alessia turned to meet his gaze. “Don’t change a brushstroke, Daddy.”
He smiled and nodded. “As you wish. This is your nursery.”
Scanning the room, Alessia noted a big, cushy chaise lounge that appeared perfect for two.
Piled with pillows and a soft blanket draped over the back, the beautiful chair invited her to stretch out and read for hours in comfort.
Above it, scattered books occupied several rows of shelves.
Space remained beckoning her to fill those spots with her favorites.
“That’s the perfect spot to devour stories,” she said, pointing at the corner. “How did you predict I’d love to read?”
“I put a few finishing touches on the room when I found you. Had you loved painting, I would have set up an easel and some art supplies. Just in case you feel creative, I’ve put those in the closet along.”
She shook her head in disbelief before scanning the room again. She pointed at the beautifully draped piece of furniture. “What kind of bed is that?”
“One made for a princess,” he said with a smile. “I thought you might like to nap there now.”
“I’m too excited to sleep.”
“Would you stretch out for Daddy and see if the mattress is comfortable?”
The fluffy bedclothes beckoned to her. Alessia nodded eagerly, and Titus stood with the athletic grace that characterized all his movements. He carried her to the bed and set Alessia’s feet down on the floor. With a sweep of his hand, Titus tossed back the covers.
“Whoa, Little mate.” Titus stopped her from climbing onto the mattress. “Let’s get you comfortable.” In a flash, he stripped off her comfortable leggings, panties, and tunic he’d dressed her in that morning.
He patted her on the bottom, not in a sexual way, but in an encouraging one. “Now, jump in.”
“Those are kind of like pajamas, Daddy. I could have worn those,” she said over her shoulder as she scrambled onto the bed. “Besides, I’m just trying out the bed.”
She stretched out and sighed happily. This was like sleeping on a cloud. “It’s so comfortable.” Alessia covered her mouth when she yawned widely.
“Someone else needs to check this out with you,” Titus said.
“You?” she asked, scooting over so he could join her.
“That’s a really good idea for another day. I was thinking of Hopper. Would he’d like to be here too?”
Instantly, Alessia regretted not remembering her stuffie.
Hopper always slept with her. Having her stuffie in bed had embarrassed her at first, but her Daddy had welcomed Hopper.
Some mornings, she woke up with Hopper cuddled up to Titus between them.
To her delight, Titus hadn’t cared a bit.
He simply kissed her first and then fist-bumped with Hopper.
“I’ll go get him,” Titus said.
“Don’t tell him I forgot him.”
“My lips are sealed.”
Titus returned in a flash with Hopper riding on his shoulder. He ducked down low, so he didn’t bash the bunny’s head on the doorframe. Alessia giggled at her Daddy’s silliness. She held out her arms for her stuffie.
“Hi, Hopper. Do you like my new bed?” she asked, hugging the sweet rabbit close.
Titus pressed a hand on the headboard, and a wooden railing rose between them. “I didn’t share with you that this bed is special. The crib can sense when Little girls are tired and raise a safety guard, so you don’t fall.”
“How do I get out?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.
“Everything is automatic. If you’re still awake in ten minutes, the protective barrier will lower. How about if I tell you a story while we wait?”
“That’s weird, but okay.” Alessia turned on her side to face him and snuggled into her pillow. Another enormous yawn stretched her mouth.
Titus tucked the covers under her chin and smoothed her hair back from her face. “Close your eyes, Little mate.” When she followed his directions, he began his story.
“Once upon a time, a beautiful woman named Alessia lived a solitary life. Although she was as sweet as honey and absolutely lovely inside and out, the townsfolk didn’t spend time with her because they feared her family.
One day, she ventured into a club and met a dashing bartender who immediately claimed her as his own.
He took her home and treated her like the princess she was.
He even built her a special bed that cradled her body in pure comfort. ”
His voice got softer as Alessia listened. She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled Hopper closer. Torn between wanting to hear the end of the story and the exhaustion that draped over her like the soft comforter, Alessia struggled to stay awake.
Sleepiness won.