Page 35 of The Mobster’s Present

“Good, I don’t want you to.”

“Aunt Dove,” Oriana’s voice is like sugar, “can I show you my room?”

Dove nods and is about to stand when there’s a knock on the door right before it swings open. Oaklynn’s voice rings out from the entryway, “Another house that needs to work on keeping the doors locked.”

“Another house behind a gate with armed security men and only one woman crazy enough to try the doorknob as a neighbor,” Maxim teases her, his voice droll.

Oaklynn makes a sound of dismissal and steps into the living room with her hand raised like she’s waving him off. “Don’t distract me,” she admonishes him.

Oaklynn takes in the room and gives a nod of approval before focusing on Oriana with a huge smile on her face. “Hello, I’m not officially your aunt, but you can call me Aunt Oaklynn or whatever you’d like.”

Oriana nods thoughtfully while blinking up at her. “You’re pretty.”

Dove pouts, “What about me?”

The placating look Oriana gives her belongs on a teenager, not a three-year-old. “You’re pretty too.” She frowns slightly before adding, “And Mommy.”

“Well that wasn’t a pity compliment at all,” Dove grumbles under her breath.

Oriana’s eyes move over the men behind Oaklynn and widen. “Do you always travel with so many big guys?”

“Yes,” Oaklynn chirps and points behind her. “They’re very useful. See? One of them has our daughter strapped to his chest.”

“You have a baby?” Oriana’s eyes go wide.

The group filters in, but no one crowds Oriana. They allow her to approach them and take everything at her pace. After Reign is gushed over a little bit, they pack it up and head out with the promise that they’ll see each other soon.

I breathe a sigh of relief when they’re gone. Not because they aren’t welcome, but because I don’t want to overwhelm my daughter.

When Carlotta comes into the room with a gentle smile, Oriana yawns and looks at Angelo. “It’s time for my nap. Will you come back?”

There’s a vulnerable hope in her voice that has my heart clenching. Angelo stands up and kneels in front of his niece. “I’ll come back whenever you want and you can come visit me too. Dove and I are just down the street. So are Oaklynn and her family.”

Oriana’s eyes light up and she launches herself at Angelo who catches her easily. I swear I see the man’s eyes go glassy with unshed tears, but I look away and allow him the moment.

I’ll remember it though.

When Carlotta leads a chattering Oriana out of the room, I pull Ashleigh onto my lap until she’s straddling me. My hands brush down over her hair and then down her spine before settling on her hips.

“Are you happy?” I pause before adding, “Do you feel safe?”

Ashleigh’s smile overtakes her entire face. “I’m safe. I’m happy.” The smile on her face is almost shy. “I’m something else, too.”

“Oh?” I arch one eyebrow in challenge, waiting.

“I’m loved.” I still as I look at her. Her voice drops lower, “You’re loved too.”

I’m up with her in my arms, my footsteps quickly taking us to the primary bedroom. Ashleigh’s laughter floats behind us.

She’s so fucking beautiful with her head tipped back and the long strands of her red hair skimming down her back. The way she’s glowing is something I want to remember for the rest of my life.

If she’s this radiant without any worries, what will she be like when she starts building the life she wants.

I stand her next to the bed and my hands land on her shoulders to hold her steady. I look into her blue eyes and say something to her that I have never said before.

“I love you, la mia piccola leonessa,” my voice is deep, rich, and holds a million promises I will always keep.

“I know,” Ashleigh’s voice is bright. Then her face turns serious. “I love you, Salvatore. The man I wasn’t expecting but needed in my life.”