Page 119 of Bellini Born

Summer’s lower lip trembled. “Is it really safe for us to go back? Maybe I should stay here with the girls.”

“Absolutely not.” My tone grew firm. “We stay together.”

“B-b-but—“

Gathering her into my arms, I pressed my forehead to hers. “I understand that you’re scared, but know this: I will personally destroyanyonewho tries to hurt my family. Those Russian fuckers who came for us in the middle of the night will wish they never even thought of crossing the Bellinis.”

With two fists clenched in the fabric of my shirt, she let out a near-silent sob. “Matteo.”

“The penthouse will be on lockdown until I neutralize the threat. Only you and I will have biometric access to that apartment. No one will be able to get to you or the girls there. No one, do you understand?”

Summer sniffled softly, burying her face into my chest as she nodded.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” I whispered against the top of her head.

And that was a promise I would keep or die trying.

Chapter 27

Matteo

Aneleven-hourflightwithtwo little girls wasn’t an easy feat, but Summer once again proved she must possess some kind of magical abilities, because she kept pulling activity after activity out of her bag to entertain them. Though, despite my wife’s heroic efforts, there was still the occasional meltdown—moments when my sweet daughters transformed into hangry monsters or threw cranky protests over naptime.

But somehow, we managed to land in Chicago in one piece, even if we were a little worse for wear.

When the crew opened the door to the private plane, heavy booted footsteps sounded on the steps that had been lowered. I knew exactly who was making their way onboard before they came into view.

Enzo’s signature smirk graced his face. “Look at this gorgeously tan family. I’m jealous.”

I almost snorted. The man’s body was covered in so much black ink that even if he did spend hours in the sun, it would be nearly impossible to tell if the skin underneath got any darker.

Bianca struggled to free herself from her car seat. “Did you bring Cookie?”

My cousin stepped forward to help undo the buckles. “She’s waiting for you at home, and between you and me, I think she missed your cuddles.”

Jumping out of her seat, my daughter raced over to mine and began tugging on my hand. “Can we go? Cookie is waiting for me!”

My eyes lifted to Enzo in question, and he gave a firm nod. “Perimeter has been secured.”

“All right.” I scooped up Bianca. “Let’s get out of here.”

Summer unstrapped Serafina from her car seat and propped the baby on her hip before heading for the door.

Enzo held up a hand to halt her. “I’ll go first.”

With my cousin taking the lead and me taking the rear, we sandwiched Summer between us as we descended the few steps onto the tarmac. The final step was a bit higher off the ground, so Rico stood off to the side, offering his hand to my wife in support. “Welcome back, Miss Reynolds.”

“Mrs. Bellini,” I corrected, my harsh tone causing the head of every one of the dozen men on hand to escort us to the penthouse to snap in our direction.

Rico’s eyes went wide, but he immediately amended how he addressed the woman he was paid to lay his life on the line to protect. “My apologies, Mrs. Bellini.”

Summer peeked back at me, surprise written across her face that I hadn’t shared the news of our nuptials with my men.

I placed a hand on her lower back. “Let’s get the girls into the car and out of the cold.” Barely a month spent away, and already,I’d forgotten how unforgiving the wind coming off the lake could be.

Guiding her to the center SUV of the three-vehicle convoy, we got the girls buckled in before climbing in and buckling up in the center row.

Enzo craned his neck around from where he sat in the driver’s seat and shot a pointed look toward the diamonds gracing Summer’s left hand, before fixing me with an expression that said,What the fuck?