Page 114 of Bad Medicine

“What?” I choked out, nearly dropping the box. “Why? What did you do?”

I was still having a hard time coming to terms with the van he’d already gotten me; what the hell was I gonna do if this box had something ridiculously expensive in it?

“Mia,” Rocco scolded. “Just open it.”

Taking a deep breath, I gently pulled on the ribbon, the silver curl bouncing back when I released it before moving to the opposite side and pulling there as well. Slowly, as though it was precious, I loosened the folded sides, carefully releasing the taped pieces one at a time.

“You’re killin’ me, Doc,” Rocco complained, but I refused to be rushed.

He couldn’t possibly know what this meant to me, and I just didn’t have the words to tell him.

Once the box was unwrapped, I removed the lid, finding myself staring down at a single brass key nestled in a bed of cotton.

“Rocco,” I breathed, my head spinning. “What is this?”

“It’s a house key, Doc.”

“You’re giving me a key to your house?”

“Nah,” he said dismissively, like the very idea was ridiculous. “This is a key to your house.” I stared at him in confusion while he stood from the couch, holding out one hand for me to take. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

Dumbfounded, I could do nothing but place my hand in his as he pulled me to my feet and started for the front door, hollering over his shoulder that we’d be right back.

“Jasper,” Sway called, giving me a wink as I passed him. “Come show me your new planes, dude. Which one goes the fastest, do you think?”

“Rocco, where are we going?” I asked as he slipped his feet into his boots by the door, motioning for me to do the same. Feeling ridiculous in my sneakers and pajama pants as we marched down the street, I followed as Rocco set a brisk pace through Francesca and Enzo’s neighborhood. We’d gone maybe five houses away when he stopped, turning to me with a triumphant smile, and gestured to the house in front of us.

“Merry Christmas, Mia.”

I gaped. Because what else could I do when the man was talking crazy?

Chapter fifty-three

Rocco

“Rocco,youcan’tbeserious.”

“Why the fuck not?” I asked, my smile turning to a frown real fuckin’ quick. “I’m serious as fuck, Mia. This place is yours. Free and clear.”

“But—” She blinked at me, confusion all over her gorgeous face. “Why?”

Why, indeed.

Truth was, I didn’t really know how to tell her thewhyof this whole thing. How did I explain the burning need in my gut to keep her and Jasper close to me. To know that they were safe and fed and healthy and happy was just something Ihadto have. No questions, no alternative.

Everything within me wanted to see Mia cared for, in all the ways that a man could care for a woman, and I wanted to be the one to do it.

I wanted to wake up next to her, see her sleepy smile as we shared coffee in the morning. I wanted to sit in the kitchen and eat dinner while they told me about their days. I wanted to see Jasper ride a bike and throw a football, or whatever the hell else kids did these days. I wanted to hear his happy screams the first time I took him flying.

And I wanted to end every day tucking him in, knowing he was safe and happy, before I climbed into bed beside my woman and fucked her good and long and slow.

That was the why.

“Baby,” I said, blowing out a breath and trying to say what I wanted without sounding like a sappy douchebag. “I know shit has been crazy, and I know this has all been fast. But, I need this, alright. Just let me do this for you guys.”

“Rocco, I’m... I don’t want to be a kept woman. That’s not what I’m looking for. I don’t need to be—”

“Baby, that’s not what this is.” Placing my hands on each of her cheeks, I tilted her face to me. “It’s not about what you can or can’t do on your own. Shit, I know you’re a badass boss babe, as Lexi likes to say.” At that, Mia gave me a watery smile. “I know you can do it alone, Mia. You havebeendoing it alone. That’s not what this is,” I repeated, desperately trying to make her understand.