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I tuck my hands between my knees and squeeze them tightly, whispering automatically under my breath.
Lorenzo glances at me. “You praying, princess?”
“Catholic school habit. Who knows? Maybe it will help.” Just saying the words are calming, and I know Ginevra would appreciate it. She goes to church even if her brother doesn’t.
He reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. “There’s never a dull moment lately, is there?”
I can’t help but laugh. “And I thought having the Coldlake Syndicate as my boyfriends would be a life of peace and tranquility.”
“Oh, yeah. Like a fucking beach holiday.”
We park near the main entrance of the hospital just as Cassius is pulling in. Vinicius isn’t far away, and so we wait for his red Lamborghini to arrive before we all head inside together. We’re not allowed to see Ginevra, but we sit in the waiting room and I text Salvatore to say we’re here.
A few minutes later he pushes through the double doors from the maternity ward, his expression tense and his hair rumpled like he’s been pushing his fingers through it.
“Hey. She’s still in labor. No news yet.”
Cassius grips his shoulder. “I was born four weeks early and it didn’t do me any harm. I’m bigger than both my parents and as strong as an ox.”
“Ginevra’s strong and healthy,” Lorenzo tells him. “She and the baby will be fine.”
Cassius watches Salvatore, his brow wrinkled in concern. “You can go back to Ginevra if you like. We’ll wait here.”
Salvatore shakes his head. “I’ll stay with you. They won’t let me into the room, anyway. I’m just pacing up and down outside the door.”
I go over to him and take his hand, and he gives me a tight smile. “Baby, I’m so glad you’re here. Distract me?”
“Nicole has gone home,” I tell him. “Lorenzo gave her a tracking device. Her mom was so happy to see her.”
“I bet she was. How are you? Are you worried about her?”
“I am, but I think she’s better off where she is. She didn’t enjoy being at the compound and she and her mom will look out for each other. I’d feel better if her father were home, though.”
“Cowardly asshole,” Vinicius mutters on my other side.
We sit in restless conversation for nearly two hours. Salvatore turns expectantly toward the maternity ward doors every time they open, but it’s never news for us.
Finally, a tiny, gray-haired woman appears. It takes me a moment to recognize her. Guilia, Antonio’s mother and Ginevra’s mother-in-law, dressed in a rose-colored skirt suit with gold earrings. She scans the waiting room with intense eyes.
“Salvatore,ha avuto il bambino.”
I jump to my feet with a delighted gasp. “She’s had the baby? It’s a boy?”
Salvatore squeezes my hand even harder. “Is Ginevra all right?”
She beckons him over. “Sì,sì, the mother is fine. You have a beautiful nephew.” Then she adds, with pride in her voice, “My grandson is seven pounds, three ounces.”
I look between her and the doors, suddenly desperate to see Ginevra and the baby.
“Can I see my sister?” Salvatore asks, and Guilia holds the door open for him. Reluctantly, I let go of Salvatore’s hand.
“Do you want to come?” he asks.
“Well, yes, but I’m not family.”
Salvatore looks around at us. “Of course you are. All of you, come on.”
Guilia’s eyes open in surprise. “But—”
