Maverick stops walking and crouches in front of her.
“Because I don’t want to be yourDon,” he says. “I don’t want you to look at me the way my men do. You’re not part of my business. You’re not part of my responsibilities in that way.”
Livy’s smile softens.
Maverick’s voice lowers. “If I am allowed in your life, I want to be there as Maverick. Or Mav, if you prefer. The man dating your mother. The man who makes you feel safe. The man who will one day grow to love both you and your mama.”
Livy studies him for a long second.
Then she nods. “Okay. Mav.”
His face softens. “Okay,piccola.”
She leans closer and whispers loudly, “But if I become the officialDonLivy later, you have to call meDonto show everyone who the boss is.”
Maverick’s mouth twitches. “Of course.”
Stefano bows dramatically. “We would expect nothing less,DonLivy. Now, let’s go eat.”
He hoists Livy over his shoulder again, earning another squeal of laughter before carrying her down the long hall and out of sight.
“I think I need a map to find my way around,” I say as Maverick slowly stands.
“At your service,” he says, smiling down at me.
My pulse trips over itself.
“You said some pretty crazy things just now.”
“Did I?”
“You know you did.” I look toward the hall where Livy disappeared. “You really shouldn’t promise little girls big things unless you know you can keep them.”
“Oh, I plan on keeping my promises,bella,” he says, cupping my face.
My breath catches.
“There are things we need to talk about,” he says. “Things about my life. What it means to beDon. How big my family is.”
“Yeah,” I say softly. “I saw a good bit of that at the fundraiser.”
His mouth curves.
“Oh, my beautiful, silly girl. That wasn’t even the surface.” His thumb brushes my cheek. “This estate is simply my favorite place to stay. Apart from this house, there are many homes we’ve built much further back. Over a hundred people live on this property.”
My eyes widen.
I look down the hall, suddenly aware of every quiet footstep, every guard, every closed door.
“This isn’t your only family?” I whisper.
“No,” he says. “It’s one very small piece of a very large world.”
“How large?”
His expression softens, but his eyes stay serious.
“Thousands of people, Amelia. Across states. Across countries. Families, businesses, alliances, debts, responsibilities. Men who answer when I call. Men who depend on my judgment.”
