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“Every day, every night,” he said through a forced smile in Bella’s direction. “What if we didn’t get all the informants? Whatif the syndicate is just waiting to infiltrate again? What if—I guess that’s life but, I’m almost more worried now that nothing horrible happened. We lost Louis, but he was working for them anyway. Everyone’s safe.”

“Safety and peace, both terrifying words.” I sighed and gently patted Lily’s back. She burped a bit and blinked up at me.

How could a tiny baby be so beautiful?

Fuck, I already wanted to kill every human who looked her way. I didn’t care who asked her to prom, I just cared that they thought I would let her leave the house without scaring them so shitless they apologized for even asking her without talking to me first, you know?

Raven looked sad. I mean she had a smile on her face. Her hair was pulled into a low ponytail. She was wearing a white tank top and matching yoga pants I bought her so she’d feel comfortable and cute, my actual words when I handed them over to her. She said she wanted more.

So I bought them in every color.

She thanked me.

I told her she was welcome, and we lay in bed, next to each other, and stared up at the same ceiling, and took turns with Lily only to repeat it all over again.

It was all so very civilized, our arranged marriage.

Sometimes it was so civilized I wanted to build a bomb and set it off so when Lily wasn’t crying something would break the tense silence.

Did I really used to hate noise when I tried to slept?

Last week, I finally broke and told Raven she could turn on Friends, “You know, if you feel like it.”

Pigs didn’t fly but you’d think she just saw one float between us and explode. “Yeah, um sure, I’ll turn it on.”

“Hey,” she said as she and Bella entered the kitchen. She smiled at a sleeping Lily and said without looking at me, “You guys ready?”

“Yeah.” I stood. “We should get her home.”

“Stay!” Bella pouted. “For dinner?”

“Actually…” Raven beamed with pride. “I cooked.”

Ivan’s eyes narrowed. “Food?”

“What else would she cook, dumbass!” Bella hissed.

Ivan smirked at Raven. He loved giving her shit. “Oh, I genuinely thought you meant you cooked as in slang and was about to ask what hobby you took up.”

“Hilarious.” Raven glared. “And all good Italian wives should know how to cook.”

“Yeah, but you’re not one of those.” Ivan pointed out. “I mean a good Italian, I’m sure you’re a wonderful wife.” He winked.

She lifted her hand.

He held up his finger. “Shhh, you’ll wake up Dante Junior and I just put him to sleep in his stroller.”

“His names Zach,” Bella deadpanned.

“That’s what I said.” Dante grinned. “Anyway, enjoy your more than likely not edible meal.”

Raven lunged for him, but he already knew so he started running off leaving Zach with Bella. “You really cooked?”

“Well, I mean…” Raven’s cheeks burned red. “I put the meat in a crock pot with potatoes and followed instructions.”

“I’m sure it’s going to be great,” I said quickly.

Bella shot me a look as if to say good save. “Alright, well, I’ll call at my usual two a.m. when we’re both up for our feedings.”