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“Grandpa,” Anthony yells as he wiggles out of Malcolm’s hold and runs over to Joe, who with practiced ease picks him up and smiles at him.
Fuck. I have missed out on so much. Anthony has made so many memories and connections to other people, ones I don’t have with him. It fucking hurts. But I know deep down that had Gabriella and I gotten together four years ago, I’d have been a fucking bastard. I wasn’t ready for what I’m ready for now, and a small part of me knows that finding out about Anthony now is a blessing in disguise. Now, I know what I want, what I need, and that’s my family. Gabriella and Anthony.
“Gabs, sweetheart, I’m sorry. I was shocked, I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” Joe says softly as he looks at his daughter with love and adoration.
“It’s okay, Dad. I get it,” she replies as she leans against me.
Joe glances around the room. “Is there a party I didn’t know about?”
Raylee giggles as she moves toward him, and the two embrace. “No, Gabby was ambushed by Alessio’s family, who thought they could make her do as they wished.”
Joe chuckles. “My Gabby do something she doesn’t want to?” He shakes his head. “Better men have tried and failed.” His eyes narrow on me, and I see the warning there. The man hasn’t yet put two and two together and found out how we met. “Malcolm, it’s good to see you again.”
Malcolm and Joe shake hands.
“Wait,” Makenna says. “You two know each other?”
Joe chuckles again. “Of course we do. Who do you think helped him when Raylee was taken? Makenna, dear, I always know those who are closest to my daughter. She may have beenhundreds of miles away from me, but she was always looked after.”
“How come you’ve kept her hidden?” Dante questions. “A man like you, no other children other than Gabriella, surely you’d want to find someone to take over from you?”
“My daughter’s safety is more important than that, Dante. Surely you, as a father, would put your child above all else. My enemies find out that I have a daughter, they’d use her for leverage against me. Gabby is my daughter. I’ll do anything to protect her, including keeping her under wraps.”
Anthony wriggles from his grandfather's arms and moves to his mother, who expertly scoops him up and chats away to him. My boy has too many people in the house and is constantly looking around, he doesn’t have the capability to stay in his grandfather’s arms.
“So, now that you know about Anthony, what are you going to do?” Joe asks as he takes a seat on the couch.
“She’s mine,” I say simply. There’s no two ways about it. Gabriella Sanchez is mine.
Joe doesn’t respond to my proclamation, but he also doesn’t object to it.
“Now, how about we order some food in and let Anthony get to know his family?”
Dante agrees, and I’m shocked. Usually, my brother despises small talk, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen with dinner. I just pray there’s no bloodshed with this meal, because the tension in the room could be cut with a knife.
Chapter 17
Gabriella
Sitting down for dinner is an awkward affair. I’m just glad my dad, Raylee, and Malcolm are here with me. It’s been hard since the Bianchi’s walked in. I understand why they’re upset, and I even understand that they’re trying to protect Alessio, but they’re not helping matters. They want to ensure the best for their brother and nephew, but all they’re doing is trying to railroad me, and that’s not something I’m okay with.
Conversation moves smoothly, thanks to my father’s ability to speak to everyone and anyone and not annoy them. Something that completely missed me when the genes were being handed out. No, I’m awkward as hell, and I’m more of a loner, whereas my dad is a people person. It’s what makes him a great boss.
He hasn’t yet demanded answers, something I know is going to happen sooner or later.
Alessio’s bitchy sister-in-law has been glaring at me. She thinks that because she’s the boss, she can intimidate me. Hell no. I smile sweetly at her. I know that I’m poking the bear, but I can’t help it.
“Gabby,” Alessio says, and I turn my attention to him. His lips are curled at the end, and his eyes are dancing with humor. He’s trying not to laugh. “You doing okay?’
I nod. “I’m good. Are you? Today’s been…” I pause, trying to find the right answer, “shocking. But you seem to be taking it well. Hell, better than I could have expected.”
He smiles at me. “Not sure if you’ve been listening or not, Gabby, but I’ve been searching for you. Told you, baby, I’m fucking obsessed.”
My heart batters against my chest at his words. He seems sincere. Everything he’s telling me is all the right words, but I have my reservations. I know what I felt waiting on my father to come home. It sucked. It hurt. It shaped me in a way I don’t want my son to be shaped.
“I’m so angry,” I whisper. “You let all these people into my home, Alessio, and not one of them has even tried to talk to our son.”
It’s the truth. The entire time they have been here, they’ve demanded answers and they’ve wanted explanations. But not once have they thought, fuck it, let me get to know my nephew. I don’t want my child around people who don’t want him around. I had that with Christina, and never again. I won’t allow someone to make my child feel unwanted, and I’m sure as hell not going to let it happen in his own home.
