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I swallowed hard. “Someone had to take care of him. He’s been abandoned often enough in his short life.”
“You didn’t have to. You could have handed that responsibility over to my parents. They wouldn’t have expected you to help them.”
“That responsibility is a little boy who already lost his mother and then his father because they both didn’t want him. By the time you left, Battista had formed a bond with me. Handing him to your parents would have been another hard hit in his short life. I couldn’t do that. Not before I was sure he wouldn’t suffer.”
“You still haven’t. You’re still taking care of him, and Dad said he started calling you Mom.”
My heart swelled thinking of it. It had shocked me to my core when Battista had called me Mom one morning when he’d woken beside me in bed, and he’d kept doing it ever since. “I didn’t make him. He just started it.”
“Because you act like a mom should.”
I didn’t say anything to that. I felt like Battista’s mom, which was strange because I’d really never intended to let it happen. What had been meant as a temporary solution, had turned into something I didn’t want to lose. Battista had become part of my life. I supposed that what he and his father had in common. They’d both wormed their way into my heart and simply wouldn’t leave.
He motioned at my clothes. “You even wear matching outfits.” Battista and I both wore short denim overalls, which had happened by accident.
“When you bring Battista over, I thought we three could spend some time together,” Nevio said.
My first instinct was to say no. I didn’t want to spend time with Nevio. But I was also worried about how Battista would react to Nevio trying to spend time with him, so I nodded. I squared my shoulders and narrowed my eyes. “Battista was left twice. Once by his birth mother and once by you. I hope you’re one-hundred percent sure that you’ve come to stay and not run off again, because I’m sick of picking up the pieces after you. I don’t want Battista to get to know you again, to spend time with you again, only to have that taken from him yet again.”
Nevio gave me a strange smile. “This is exactly why I won’t stop until you’re mine, why I left Battista in your care. There’s no better person in this rotten world than you.” He kissed my cheek, startling me. “I won’t run. I’ll stay, because of Battista, because of you.” He pulled back. I took a few steps back and cleared my throat. “You should probably go inside before you catch a cold, and I’m sure your family wants to talk to you.”
“Except for Dad, no one knows I’m back, and he only found out last night when he ran across me in the common room. But I’ll give you some time to yourself now.” He headed for the patio and disappeared inside. I let out a shaky breath and walked over to Battista. He showed me what he’d build so far, and I smiled in response, even if it cost me. My thoughts were a mess. I needed time to wrap my mind around it.
My decision to return home had been spontaneous. I’d felt ready for a few weeks, but then one day I’d simply known it was time. I was still a messed-up motherfucker, but I felt like I wasn’t haunted by this irresistible urge to kill anymore. I felt more centered.
Twenty-four hours after my decision, I had already been on a plane back home. I hadn’t told anyone, except for a text to Alvize before I’d boarded.
When I entered the code to the Falcone mansion after midnight, I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn’t in a long time. This house and city were my home. I’d missed both, but especially the people who made this place special. My family and Aurora of course.
The house was silent when I stepped inside and made my way into the common room.
I sank down on the comfy couch and crossed my arms behind my head, letting out a sigh. Fuck, this felt right.
Steps sounded. Heavy, male steps.
“You better be a burglar because if this is who I think it is, I’m going to have to kick his ass for another solo run,” Dad muttered.
I opened my eyes with a tired smile. He towered over me, in pajama bottoms, and with a stern look. But he wasn’t really angry. I knew all of his angry expressions, and this wasn’t one.
“It’s good to be back.”
Dad didn’t say anything for a while, then asked, “Are you back for good?”
“I am,” I said. “This is where I belong.”
“Took you a long time to realize it. Your mom will be ecstatic to have you back.”
I pushed to my feet. “And you?”
Dad pulled me against him and patted my back hard. “You belong here.” He moved back. “I think you know that not everyone is going to be excited about your return.”
“Aurora.”
“And Fabiano. He’s still pissed at you.”
“I’ll talk to him. I’m sure I can make him see reason.”
“You are not the person I’d pick to make someone see reason without torture.”
