“Hey, pumpkin,” I greeted her, stuffing my gun away as I knelt to see her. She wrapped her arms around me.
“You’re yelling,” she whispered. “Are you mad?”
I swallowed and looked at my family. Evan quickly threw a towel over the mess on the coffee table.
“I’m a little upset,” I answered.
“Mommy says to just breathe and count,” she murmured, pulling away and cradling my face between her small hands. “Like this. Watch.”
I took in her tiny chest moving with her deep breaths.
“See? You try!”
“Oh, Ellisandra,” I murmured, brushing her blonde curls away from her face.
“Try, Daddy,” she said, blinking at me.
I did as she said, breathing in and out deeply.
“Better?” She stared at me with those pretty blue eyes of hers.
I smiled. “Better, pumpkin.”
She grinned at me. “Do you want to play dolls? I will let you be the boy this time.”
“I have to work,” I said softly. “To protect you and Mommy. I’ll be back in a little bit, though, and if you’re still awake, we can play dolls.”
“And if I’m not?” She gave me a worried look.
“Then we will play tomorrow.”
She leaned in and hugged me tightly. I closed my eyes and breathed out, hugging her back. So much love filled me that I held her tighter, making her grunt. In all my life, I’d never been as happy as I was with my family. I’d fucked up years ago and missed out on my boys, but now I had this second chance, and I had to protect it at all costs.
“Take her,” I said.
Anson took her, and I gave him a curt nod before turning and walking to the door, Dante Church on my heels. I didn’t think I’d go alone, so I wasn’t surprised that he wanted to be with me. He likely felt the same way I did.
We left the room, passing the security guards who looked away guiltily. I’d deal with their asses later.
We got into the elevator, the doors closing behind us.
“I appreciate that you love my sister and niece the way you do,” Dante said.
I said nothing.
“When are you going to commit to her?”
I blinked and looked over at him. “I am committed to her.”
“We married our girl,” he continued. “Why don’t you marry Rosalie?”
I swallowed hard and looked away from him. I knew of places that allowed such things. In fact, I knew it was being proposed as a new law in some states.
“She married Evan,” I said. “Seems silly to ask for her hand when she’s been officially claimed.”
“If you love her, you marry her,” he replied. “I expect you to ask her and seal the deal.”
I scoffed. “Did you give Alessandro this same speech?”
