It twisted something in my chest, seeing her let someone else in like that. She was a nervous fucking wreck when I brought her here, but I knew in that moment she’d eventually be okay. She had an army of people around her now. She just needs some time to heal and learn to trust again.
Dante, his brother, Alexander, and their wives and kids are gone by the time I move back out to the main room.
Lil’ Peach is crashed out on the sofa, completely exhausted from living her best life. Her curls are a wild mess around her face, and one tiny fist is tucked under her cheek, the other hanging off the edge like she fought sleep until it finally won.
The sight grounds me, reminding me there are good things in this world. Safe things. Things worth protecting. And now Emily’s part of that, whether she realises it or not.
Romeo’s elbows are leaning on the kitchen island as he types something on his phone.
“Dante has one of our soldiers heading over to Emily’s place now,” he says.
“What? I want to be the one to dish out that fucker’s punishment.”
“Don’t fret, big boy, he’s all yours. He’s just going to let us know when that woman basher gets home so we can pay him a visit.”
“We?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.
Romeo drops his phone onto the marble countertop and raises both hands in front of him. “I’m just coming along for the ride in case you need me.”
“I won’t,” I grumble.
“The boss wants us to make sure he disappears. He wants a clean job so nothing can come back on us. He said the last thing he needs is those crazy fuckers breathing down our necks.”
“I have no problem with that.”
I’m sitting on the sofa beside a sleeping Peach, and Romeo is opposite me, nursing his son, Gabe, when Lucia comes out. She’s been in there with Emily for a good hour.
“Hey,” I say, sitting up in my seat. “How is she?”
“I’ve set her up in one of the spare rooms. The poor thing was exhausted.” She closes the distance between us, leans down, and places a soft kiss on her son’s head before her lips meet her husband’s. “You hungry?”
“For you, yes. For your cooking, also yes.”
He reaches around and palms her arse, and I’m suddenly feeling like a voyeur. It’s no secret these two are disgustingly in love. I saw this coming before they were even officially a thing.
I never thought this would be something I’d want, but watching them together, hits a place in me I didn’t know existed. Maybe it’s the way Lucia looks at him, like he hung the moon just for her; it’s full of devotion and fire. I’ve never had anyone look at me like that, never had someone choose me with that kind of certainty.
And maybe I want it more than I’ve ever admitted.
Lil’ Peach deserves it, too. She deserves softness. A constant. Someone who’ll be there in all the ways I can’treplicate, no matter how hard I try. I can give her safety, a roof, a future where she never has to worry about the stuff I grew up worrying about. I can protect her with everything I am. I can make sure she never goes without.
But I’m not wired like a woman. Hell, I’m not even sure I’m wired like most people. The nurturing and delicate stuff doesn’t come naturally. I’ve been in survival mode too long. Peach needs someone who can be gentle, someone who can hold her with soft hands instead of calloused ones.
And maybe I need that, too.
I place my hand on the armrest of the sofa and push up onto my feet. “Maybe I should get the girls and go,” I say. “You’ve had a house full of people for the past two days, so you’re probably itching for some alone time.”
“Don’t be silly,” Lucia replies. “Your girls are asleep. Let them be. I’ll make us all something to eat while you wait.”
Your girls.
“Are you sure?” I ask. “I feel like I’m intruding now.”
“You’re family, Dom. You’ll never be intruding. Besides, I’d like to get some pictures of Emily’s injuries when she wakes … if she’s okay with that, of course. I think it’s important to document things. She may need them in the future.”
“Why?” Romeo asks, frowning. “You can’t prosecute a dead man.”
My eyes narrow at Romeo, and Lucia’s widen simultaneously. “You’re going to whack him?”
