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“You got it,” Lorenzo said, smirking down at him. “What do you want see first? The fort I built when I was your age, or the—”
“Fort!” He punched the air. “I’ve never been in a fort.”
They turned a corner and I lost sight of them. But I knew he would be safe here. If anything, this was probably the safest place we’d ever be.
“Well, looks like they’re fast friends,” Aida commented, standing up and waving us inside.
“Cardo will do that to you,” I told her, winking down at Chiara. “I fell in love with him the moment he shouted, “hey lady,” at me.” I laughed, remembering how he accosted me and started a conversation with a total stranger.
Aida led us down the wide hallway and to a room
on the right. Sofa’s took up the middle of the room with a swinging chair attached to the ceiling. “He’s Mateo’s brother, that’s for sure.” The sound of Mateo’s name had my stomach dipping, and I couldn’t help but wonder how he’d act toward me now we were around Aida and Lorenzo again. Would he ignore me like he did at home, only talking when he absolutely had to, or would be act like we were as close as two peas in a pod?
“Can I go on that?” Chiara asked, pointing her little finger toward the swing chair.
I swung my gaze toward Aida, and when she nodded, I placed her on the swing chair, pulling her sneakers off so that she could put her feet up. She crossed her legs, amazed by the egg type shape, and leaned back, the swing moving with her.
“I’m nervous,” Aida whispered to me. “Can you tell?”
I shook my head, not taking my eyes off Chiara. “Not at all.” Turning to her, I asked, “Where’s Mateo?”
“In the command center with Romeo.” She rolled her eyes. “Remember the guy I told you about that refused to talk to me that day at coffee?” My breaths sawed in and out as I realized she was talking about the man I’d stolen from. The one who had hit me over the head and dragged me here. My hand unconsciously drifted to the healing cut.
“Is he erm…staying for dinner too?”
“Probably. He’s Lorenzo’s cousin—”
“Luna?” My shoulders stiffened at the deep voice. “What are you—”
“Mateo!” Chiara shouted, trying to get off the swing, but each time she lunged forward, the swing took her backward.
I rushed forward and helped her off it, trying not to meet Mateo’s stare as I turned. I kept my attention on Chiara as she ran toward him, jumping through the air. He caught her effortlessly, wrapping his arms around her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked her, his voice softer than it had been when he was talking to me.
“Luna brought us to eat.” She tilted her head at him, her smile taking over her entire face. Now that Mateo was here, she was comfortable. It amazed me how much she doted on him. He was her world, that was clear to see.
“You’re going to love Aida’s pasta.” He made a humming noise. “It’s super yummy.”
She giggled at him. “I love pasta.”
“No way!” Mateo gasped, acting like he didn’t know that Chiara had eaten pasta every night since I’d moved in a week ago.
“Yes way!” She placed her little fist on her hip. “You know it’s my fav-favor-favorite.” She stumbled on her last word, still not quite able to pronounce it properly, but she never gave up when a word stumped her. She’d use it over and over again until she could say it the same as everyone else.
Mateo chuckled, tapping her on the nose with his finger. “Can you stay with Aida for a couple of minutes?” He walked closer, and I took an involuntary step back. “I need to talk to Luna.”
“Okay.” She slapped a kiss on his cheek and then he let her down. She went running right back to the swing, and Aida followed her.
“Luna,” he murmured. He didn’t say another word as he spun around, and I took that as my cue to follow him. With one last look at Chiara and Aida, I headed after him. He turned the way we’d come in and walked right out the front door. My nerves rattled through me as I got closer to him, but he didn’t stop until he was halfway down the driveway, just past the water feature.
“Ma—”
“What the fuck are you doing?” he growled out, spinning around. His hands clenched at his sides and his lips were in a flat line.
“Aida called and—”
“And what?” He slammed his hand through his hair, pulling at it. “You decided to bring them over?” He stepped toward me. “They’re my brother and sister, Luna. Mine. You don’t get to decide where they go—”
