There’s something I’ve got to do this morning and it’s going to be a hard but hopefully rewarding conversation. I press a soft kiss to Liliana’s forehead. She stirs a little but doesn’t wake up. Sliding out of bed, I head towards the bathroom for a quick shower, getting dressed in the closet.
Grabbing my phone, I send out a quick text to my brothers in our group chat.
Me: I’m calling for a meeting at the estate in thirty minutes
Matteo: It’s way too early for this shit, Raf.
Elio: Go away. I’m still asleep.
I roll my eyes.
Me: This is important. When have I ever asked you assholes for anything?
Salvatore’s reply comes in almost immediately.
Don: We’ll hear you out, Rafaelle. Everyone get your asses over here.
My big brother can be quite nice when he wants to be. Which isn’t often. But I’ll take what I can get. After one last look at the woman sleeping in my bed, I exit the room. Ira receives orders to bring Liliana breakfast in bed and inform her that I’ll be back soon.
Soon enough, I’m at the Vitale Estate. Almost immediately I step through the doors, two little feet come bouncing over to me.
“Zioo,” she squeals, holding her arms out towards me.
I chuckle as I lift my little niece in my arms.
“Hi, Isa. Missed me?” I question, placing a kiss on her cheek.
She nods enthusiastically, beaming with stars in her gorgeous eyes. My nieces and nephews are the most important things in the world to me. They make me wonder how it would be like to have a child of my own someday.
Fatherhood has always been a pursuit I’d hoped to embark on someday. Losing Tara derailed it but I’d very much like a daughter like Isabella that looks at me with the same adoration.
I wonder if Liliana wants kids.
The thought sneaks into my head nearly without my consent. It’s only been a night and I’m already thinking about having babies with her. I just might be screwed.
“Why are you up so early?” I ask my niece.
“Making breakfast with Papa,” she informs me. “Mama and Nico are still asleep.”
“That’s sweet of you, princess.”
I carry her towards the kitchen where my brother has on apron while holding a rolling pin. The sight is hilarious, mostly because I never in a million years would have thoughtSalvatore Vitale would end up so domesticated. Love has a way of sneaking up on you though, changing people for the better.
I would know.
My eyebrows are raised as I take the Don in. If only our enemies could see him now.
“Matteo got here two minutes ago and is already in the office,” he informs me gruffly, daring me to comment on his appearance. “Go on. I’ll be there in a minute or two. I just need to get one of the cooks to finish up here.”
“Make sure to wash up first, Sal,” I say, grinning. “You’ve got a bit of flour on your cheeks.”
I leave Isabella with her father while I head upstairs to our meeting location. The home office is stocked with a bar that’s tempting, but it’s too damn early in the morning for some whiskey, and I need my brothers to take me seriously.
In a couple of minutes, all three of them are present and ready to hear what I have to say.
“Go on, Raf. And considering you dragged me out of a bed that had a gorgeous Nubian chick with a nice rack, this had better be good,” Elio mutters, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
“Your promiscuity worries me,” Matteo says with a frown, prompting a laugh from I and Salvatore. Elio simply flips him off.
