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I went down the steps into the pool. The moment Greta’s feet touched the water her face twisted, but I made a low soothing sound and she relaxed. Shifting her so her head was level with mine, I lowered us further into the warm water. Greta held on to me, eying the water critically. After a while she smiled and hit the water with her palm. I went over to the flamingo float, but Greta tightened her hold on me when I tried to put her on it.
Nevio babbled, his tiny legs wiggling as Fabiano held him by the waist. Both Greta and Nevio were big on the babbling, but they both hadn’t said any word except for ‘Mom,’ and while Nevio was already making his first steps, Greta only crawled. She was a cautious kid and reminded me a lot of Nino.
Nevio grinned at me, squeezing the neck of the flamingo before he extended his arms with his grabby hands. “Dad. Daaad.”
For a moment, I froze, my expression stilling. Fabiano grinned and Nino squeezed my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around Nevio and pressed him to my chest. Greta pressed her wet palm against Nevio’s cheek, giggling. I waded through the water with the two, dipping lower, causing them to scream with joy.
Serafina headed toward us in a heart-stoppingly sexy white bikini, Kiara and Leona close behind her.
She lowered herself to the edge of the pool.
“Mom!” Greta called, and I handed our daughter over to Serafina. I stayed close and touched Serafina’s thigh. She raised her eyebrows. “Something the matter? You have a strange expression.”
“Nevio said Dad,” I told her.
She leaned down and kissed me, her expression so full of happiness it filled even my cruel heart with warmth.
“Dad,” Nevio confirmed, hitting the surface with his palm again and sending water everywhere.
Serafina shook her head with a soft smile as she slid into the water with Greta pressed to her chest.
“This is close to perfection,” I said, indicating the people gathered around us. “Everyone who matters is here.”
And I’d fucking protect them all with my life.
A shadow passed over Serafina’s face, and she averted her gaze, blinking. I curled my hand over her neck, bringing our faces closer together. She locked gazes with mine. “I know you miss them, especially your brother.”
She nodded. “I do, and I wish you could meet Sofia and my mom. I wish they could see you as I see you.”
Serafina saw me in a way most people never would because I’d never allow them to do so. “I can’t promise you peace. It’s not only my call to make, and there’s a lot of bad blood between the Camorra and the Outfit. I won’t back down, not when Cavallaro was the first to breach my territory.”
I still wanted to bathe in Cavallaro’s blood and I knew he shared the sentiment. Peace would never happen.
“I know, and I can deal with it. This is my new family now, and I’m happy that the babies and I are here where we belong.” She paused, sighing. “I can’t help missing my family, especially Samuel. We’ve always been so close, and now I haven’t heard from him in so long. It’s hard.”
I was used to handling things, used to things going my way, but this was one thing I couldn’t change for her. I wasn’t going to make a peace offering toward Cavallaro, even when the attack on Roger’s Arena was orchestrated by Scuderi, but the attack on our race in Kansas definitely wasn’t. He’d tortured my brother. That was another thing I couldn’t easily forget. I wanted them to bleed. At least Dante fucking Cavallaro.
Greta giggled again and Nevio fell in. Serafina’s expression brightened, and she smiled at me. Fuck. That smile got me every time.
SERAFINA
Nevio was a small whirlwind, and it had only gotten worse since he started to walk. It was the day before our wedding and only four days since the twin’s birthday, and Kiara was busy with last minutes preparation, even though it was going to be a small affair. Adamo had babysitter duty for Nevio, which mainly consisted in running after him and making sure he didn’t break his neck or got his hands on anything breakable.
Every time Adamo lifted Nevio into his arms, he began wailing in protest. I gave Adamo an understanding smile when he let out a sigh. “I can take over if you want?”
Adamo smiled sheepishly. “I need a break.”
Chuckling, I took Nevio from him and hoisted him up on my hip despite his loud protest. “Mom, no. No. No. No!”
“I was so looking forward to them speaking,” Remo said from his spot on a blanket where he played with Greta while trying to get work done on his iPad simultaneously. “But Nevio enjoys the word ‘no’ a bit too much for my taste.”
