Page 6 of The Guardian

The twins along with Gabriela were sitting at a table. They were all smiling and having a conversation.

An older woman stood at the counter, pouring milk into glasses.

“Come and join us,” Gabriela invited me. Then looking over at Henry she added, “And you as well.”

“I will stay at the door,” Henry replied.

Gabriela narrowed her eyes at him. “You will do no such thing. I realize you are a guard, but we are all safe here.” She then smirked at him. “Did you not see the army that patrols the estate?”

Yes, she was right no one would get close enough to hurt anyone here. That MC army was quite scary. I turned and gave him a nod. “Sit with us.”

He nodded back then went over to pull a chair out for me.

I felt my cheeks get a bit warm as he did not have to do that.

“The British,” Gabriela spoke up again. “They are all so polite. Pulling a chair for a woman. I haven’t seen that since…” She shook her head and chuckled. “Well, I have as Alberto does that for me.”

Henry gave her a polite nod as he sat next to me but he kept his gaze moving around the large room. Seems he would guard us no matter what anyone here claimed.

The older woman at the counter brought a tray over and set it on the table.

“This is Mrs. Santorini,” Gabriela introduced her. “She has been with the Mancini family for many years. We would all be lost without her.”

Mrs. Santorini smiled at us as she set out glasses of milk. “I am blessed as I am so lucky to be here. This familia is my family.” Next, she set several plates of cookies out on the table in front of us. “I hope you like Amaretti and Biscotti. Then if not, there is jam-filled Pizzicati.”

“I love the names,” Gabriela gushed. “I mean Spanish is a beautiful language but Italian is so musical and lyrical really.”

I nodded in agreement as I looked up at Mrs. Santorini. “Grazie per questi biscotti. Sembrano deliziosi.” Thank you for the cookies. They look delicious.

Mrs. Santorini paused in surprise and then she grinned at me. “Parli italiano? Che meraviglia!” You speak Italian? How wonderful!

I smiled at her then glanced at Henry.

Looking surprised, his eyes were rounded a bit. “Very impressive.”

I shrugged. “Not really.”

“Maya is the smartest person in the whole world,” Hope said. “She knows like five languages and we have learned them too.”

Everyone looked from her to me.

I lowered my head. I surely never wanted to draw any attention here. I just wanted to be sure the twins were safe and would be treated well. I didn’t need anyone to wonder about me.

“Well, try the cookies and we shall see which ones are your favorites,” Gabriela broke the silence as she seemed to realize I did not wish to talk about myself.

I picked up the Pizzicati. I loved these and it had been at least three years since I’d tasted one. With the first bite, I moaned a little. “Raspberry,” I said after I swallowed it. “Muy bueno.” Curious to see if Henry would relax for once and eat a cookie, I looked over at him.

He stared at me unblinking.

I paused, then I asked, “You do not like cookies?”

He seemed to catch himself staring. “Yes, of course. Which one did you just eat?”

“The Pizzicati. It is filled with raspberry jam.” I picked up the biscotti and added, “These are great as well. They weren’t originally cookies at all, but like a twice baked bread. Then an Italian baker added almonds and sugar...” I paused as I realized I was talking too much. Taking the spotlight as it is called. My cheeks heated up and I bowed my head. “I am sorry to interrupt.” I grabbed the glass and took a sip of milk. So much for not drawing attention to myself.

“I told you she was smart,” Hope said, then took a sip of milk.

“She is,” Alex agreed. “I learned more in a year than all of my life before we met her. Just from her being our nanny.”