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“Sebastian? As in Sebastian Romano?” she asks, and I continue rubbing her back. I know she is not sure about him, about that part of my life.
“Yep,” I reply, watching her mind work overtime.
“How does he know about me?” she asks warily.
“Because I told him how special you are, and he told me to come here and make sure you knew it,” I tell her frankly. Her eyebrows rise then, so I continue.
“He is my brother. I know many people hear different things about him, about what we do. Some are right, some are wrong. He is decent. He took me in, gave me a home when I had nothing, gave me guidance when I had no direction. He made me into the man that stands here before you today.” She nods slowly, and I decide to say the one thing that might have her running.
“He is going to be wanting to meet you soon.” Sebastian has to meet everyone we bring into the family. It’s just how it is done.
“Me? He wants to meet me?” she almost squeaks out, and I chuckle.
“I’m sure his wife, Goldie, will be there too. Actually, I think the two of you would hit it off. Plus, you already know Dante and Annie sooo...” I drift off, letting her take it all in. Waiting to see if she jumps out of my hold, runs a mile, or looks apprehensive in any way.
Is it presumptuous of me? Absolutely. But this is my life, and I need to lay it all out for her so she can make an informed decision about being with me or not.
Her eyes move from my chest, to my face, back to my chest again. I know she is deep in thought. I can almost hear the wheels turning in her brain, and if she pulls away from me now, I know it will be the end. I know there is nothing else I can do.
“What does it mean… being in the mob? I mean, what do you do? No, you know what. Don’t tell me that,” she rambles, obviously full of questions and not sure what to ask.
“Ask me anything. I will be honest.”
“I just need to know one thing,” she says firmly.
“Okay, what’s that?” I ask, intrigued, though my palms sweat a little.
“Will we be safe? Will Ivy and I really be safe with you? Considering what you do and all…”
I look at her seriously as her eyes search mine, wanting her to know what is about to come out of my mouth is honest and will never change.
“You will be safer with me than anywhere else on this earth. I know you and Ivy are a package deal. I know that you’ll both have different needs, and as she grows, things will change. You work a demanding job too, so there is a lot to consider. But the one thing I know with absolutely certainty is that you and Ivy will be safe, secure, and protected with me. I will never let anything happen to you. Either of you. Ever.” My hands grip her tight as she stares up at me, and as I wait for her final say, my stomach does an unpleasant flip.
“Okay…” she whispers tentatively.
“Okay?” I ask her, ensuring that I heard right because it could’ve gone either way. I am a little shocked that this could ever go in my favor.
“Yes, Carter. Okay. Let's try again. Let’s do this, together,” she says, with more determination this time, and I don’t hesitate. My hands cup her cheeks, and I slam my lips into hers and kiss the ever-loving fuck out of her.
“Ewww! You two are disgusting,” I hear Ivy say, and she better get used to it, because I will be kissing her mom every day from now on.
30
Catherine
Carter dropped Ivy and I off at home earlier and after a wash in the bath and early dinner, she is now passed out in bed, fast asleep. I can’t blame her; she walked for miles today and didn’t come down from the high she experienced at seeing all those animals. I am kicking myself for not taking her to the zoo earlier.
Now, as I stand in the kitchen, wiping the benches and tidying up, my cell phone buzzes. Grabbing it, I see that it is Carter. A smile reaches my lips at just the sight of his name.
“Hey, front door,” he murmurs as soon as I answer it, and I go to the security screen and look through the camera. This security system was one of the main reasons I leased this place. It is locked up tight and the feeling of safety I have being here is one of my few comforts.
I see him standing there at the door, carrying a large basket that looks heavy, and I immediately buzz him in. Throwing the dishcloth in the sink, willing the tap to stop dripping, I walk swiftly to the front door to open it for him.
“Hey, what have you got—” I don’t get to finish my sentence before he’s pressing his lips against mine, and although the basket looks heavy, he leaves it in one hand as his other wraps around the nape of my neck, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss.
My desire for him is growing, even more than it was ever before, and I know letting him back in was the right decision.
As his tongue swirls with mine, I moan into his mouth. I love the way he feels, the way that he doesn’t care who is around. Like he can’t wait another moment to touch me any time we’re together.
