Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“You’re a smart boy, aren’t you?” I run my hand through his thick locks. They’re so silky. Not as dense as my natural hair, but soft and just as shiny.
He unlatches as if to answer me. However, he only breathes at me. He’s been doing that a lot. As if he can’t wait to talk to me. I’m amazed by him.
“Here you go,” Dario says as he places a glass of water and a sandwich down on the bedside table.
Matteo woke us both and my stomach wasn’t happy about it. Dario offered to go down and make me a sandwich. He leans to kiss my lips, then plants a kiss on the baby’s cheek.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. You need anything else?”
I shift Matteo so I can burp him. “No, I’m going to change him and try to get him back to sleep.”
“I can do that. Here, let me have him.”
He takes the baby and places him on his bare chest. Matteo looks so small in his arms. I’m not going to lie. Rio looks hot as he burps our son while cooing at him.
“What are you looking at like that?”
“You. Being a dad looks good on you.”
“Your ass will be knocked up again you keep looking at me like that.”
“Ha, you got four more long dry weeks,” I tease.
“Not too dry, your mouth still works.” He winks.
“I’m going to ignore that,” I say through my laughter.
His phone rings on the other side of the bed. I reach over to grab it for him and hand it over. He answers and places it between his face and shoulder.
“Hello.”
Dario
“Are you sitting down?”
“No.” I hand the baby back to Carleen and take a seat. “What’s going on?”
“Dante was shot at. He’s fine, but this makes me want to come to Italy to see what’s going on with management there.”
“Fuck,” I say and rub my palm into my eye.
I’m exhausted. I don’t need this shit. Carleen already feels trapped here. I hope I don’t have to lock shit down even more.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Not right now. We can have a sit-down when I arrive. I think it’s best to show a united front with these guys. I just wanted you to know. I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon.” I hang up and toss my phone.
“Babe, what’s wrong?”
“Someone shot at Dante.”
“Oh my God, is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine.” I run a hand through my hair. My heart is racing. Dante isn’t just my brother, he’s my twin. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to him.
Carleen moves behind me and presses against my back with Matteo in her embrace. Peace washes over me as I draw strength from the love of my wife and son. For them I can hold it together.
Chapter 48
Going Home
Carleen
Four weeks later…
I sit on the bed humming to myself as I pack Matteo’s tiny clothes into my suitcase. I peek over at him in the middle of the pillows I’ve surrounded him with. He’s so adorable in his sleep. He’s starting to look more like his father. He has my smile though.
Lizzy thinks he’s all me. Dante agrees with Dario that my son is all his father. Gio only stares with a look I’ve yet to place, while Jace always has this look of…longing?
It’s been good to have everyone here. I’ve gotten to know Lizzy more and I was so happy to see Dante propose. It was so romantic, and it felt good to get back in the kitchen to cook for them. I think Nonno enjoyed himself while babysitting that night.
Dario has become lax in security with his brothers here. It’s been a month of good times and laughter. It’s been good to see Dario with his brothers and grandfather.
It’s not lost on me that Lucas returned to the States, at least that’s where I assume he went. I had thought he would stay behind to spend time with his three sons. However, once Dario warned me not to mention who Lucas truly is, I got the feeling that secret isn’t fully out of the bag and won’t be for a while.
All in all, I was happy to hear we’re going home today. Matteo has just turned six weeks. My family can’t wait to meet him. I also have a wedding my mother can’t wait to plan. It’s been hard trying to pack and take care of the baby. I have so much stuff I’ve accumulated while here.
“Hey, you need me to help out?” Lizzy asks as she pops her head into the room.
“Could you sit with him while I run down to grab a bite? He’s sleeping, I don’t want to wake him,” I reply.
“Sure, no problem. If you want, I can watch him while you finish packing. Bella and I are all done. Dante took off to wherever Gio wanted to go.”