Page 16 of Capone (Sinful Warriors MC #6)

Chapter Thirteen

GIOVANNA

I t had been a few days since I got Gabi back. I took the time to just love and embrace having her with me again. We'd been to the pool, spa, park, and the beach. She’d been having the time of her life. In her eyes, she has gone on two impromptu vacations.

From what all Gabi was able to explain, Asha took great care of her. I was pissed she went as far as kidnapping Gabi but also grateful that she didn’t mistreat her. Gabi didn’t even realize that she was kidnapped, so I had to take whatever good I could from this situation.

Derek’s family had been calling since the day after I got Gabi back. I hadn’t answered any of their calls. I wasn't ready to talk to them. The anger I harbored toward that family would only lead to arguments, so I would deal with it later. Right now, it was all about my baby girl.

I spoke to Cara and Sara to thank them. Without them, Tech, and Capone, I didn’t know if we would have found Gabi.

Speaking of Capone, he’d returned to work, but he still made it a point to stop by my hotel every day after he gets off work. Gabi wouldn’t have it any other way. When she woke the morning after I got her back, the first thing she asked was where’s my Pony?

I had to call him just to soothe her. It was crazy watching how fast my baby clung to him.

She wasn’t even this needy for Derek. With Derek, there was always a middleman when it came to his dealings with Gabi.

He wasn’t too attentive to her. Don’t get me wrong, he defiantly loved her, but he never took time to play with her or nurture her.

Capone, on the other hand, colored with her, played dolls, and let her ramble about whatever it was she wanted to talk about, all while being completely in tune.

Today, I wanted to find a special way to thank Cara and Sara for everything.

Capone was off today and agreed to help me.

I wanted to bake something special for them.

It was easy to figure out what I wanted to bake for Cara.

The woman had been eating honeybuns from the moment I met her.

I ended up asking Capone what Sara’s favorite dessert was.

He had to ask her Ol’ Man Bear, and he told him cheesecake.

Capone let me use his kitchen to bake everything. I fell in love with his kitchen.

It had a spacious layout with a nice-sized island in the middle. It also had a built-in refrigerator, and double-deck oven, beautiful marble stone countertops and a wine cellar. I felt like I was coming home as I pranced around his kitchen, baking.

This was the kind of kitchen I begged Derek for, but he said it was a waste of money. I was like a kid in a candy store.

Capone kept Gabi preoccupied in the living room with a paint set he bought her.

I wasn't surprised Gabi chose to paint instead of baking with me.

Painting was her first love. Before I knew it, I was boxing up the desserts.

Capone loaded everything up and now we were walking up the steps of the clubhouse.

I had the containers in my hand while Gabi rode in the crook of Capone’s arm. I swore this little girl acted like she didn’t know how to walk when he was around. And Capone wasn’t any better. Even though it has only been a few days, he truly spoils her, never telling her no.

The front door of the clubhouse swings open, and Dice was standing there with a teasing smile. “Aww, now isn’t this just a picture-worthy moment.”

“Cheese!” Gabi struck a pose with a beaming smile.

Her innocence made us laugh. She had no clue Dice was just messing with us. Dice placed his hand on his chest, then whipped out his phone. “Now, I have to take a picture.”

After Dice snapped the photo, Capone told him to send it to him, and we made our way inside. The common room was littered with kids. Gabi clung to Capone a little tighter. She had always been shy when it came to large crowds.

Everyone was trying to be subtle about their staring, but they weren’t as slick as they thought. Cara and Sara made their way through the crowd, greeting me with a hug.

“Hey, I just wanted to do something special for you two as a thank you. Sara, I made you a cheesecake, and, Cara, I made you some honeybuns,” I said as I handed them their containers.

“Thank you so much, Giovanna.” Sara popped the lid on the container to take a whiff of the cake. “Oh, that smells so good.”

Cara stared at her container like she was in love.

She popped the lid just like Sara, except she grabbed one of the buns and popped it in her mouth.

I watched in satisfaction as her eyes bucked and then rolled into the back of her head.

Four seconds later, the dessert was gone, and Cara was pulling another out.

Sara barked out a laugh. “Is it that good, sis?”

Cara faced Sara and bunched her brows. “Is it? This has to be the best honeybun I’ve ever had.” She took another hefty bite. “Can you make me another batch of these? I’ll pay whatever you want.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at how serious she seemed. This right here was all I ever wanted to do. Watching her devour my dessert was everything. Her enjoyment was all the payment I needed. “That’s no problem. Just let me know when you want another batch.”

Dice approached us, eyeing Cara’s container. “Don’t even think about it. And if you try sneaking some, just remember I’m always packing.” She tapped her hip, reminding Dice of the gun she had there.

Dice grumbled and walked away, as we laughed at the sullen look on his face.

A little girl who had Cara’s eyes approached us, watching Gabi with curiosity. She raised her arms to Cara, and she swooped her up. She and Gabi continued to stare at each other.

“Angel, this is Ms. Giovanna and her daughter, Gabi. Gabi, Giovanna, this is my daughter, Angel.”

“Hi,” they both said in unison with a wave.

“What about us, Aunt Cara?” Three identical little girls walked over with the same bright amber eyes as Cara and Angel.

“And these are my nieces, Mari, Abigail, and Naomi.”

They waved at each other with small smiles. Gabi seemed less nervous now that it seemed she’d found some friends. I watched with a grin as Gabi chitchatted with the girls, like long-lost buddies.

“Mama, can Gabi make meatballs too?” Angel asked.

Gabi whipped her head over to Cara in excitement. “Can I?” she bounced in Capone’s arms.

Cara turned to me, and I nodded my approval. Gabi cheered and tried shimming her way out of Capone’s arms. “Down, Pony.”

“Pony?” Cara questioned with a giggle.

“Don’t,” he growled at her.

Cara and Sara laughed before telling Gabi and me to follow them into the kitchen. Once we were inside the kitchen, Sara pulled out a drawer full of kiddie aprons. The girls all picked out an apron before stepping up on a step stool. The end of the island was already set up for them.

“Okay, Gabi, these are the kitchen rules. You always stay on this side of the kitchen. Our side is too dangerous, and we don’t want you getting hurt. Okay?” Cara told her.

“Yes, ma’am,” Gabi replied.

By the time we finished showing the girls how to shape the meatballs we were joined by the other Ol’ Ladies and Cara’s mother. When Crystal asked who would tackle the desserts, I jumped at the task. Seeing how Cara reacted to my honeybuns had me on a high.

Once everyone was focused on their task, I completely understood why they had the girls set up on the other side of the kitchen. Everything was fast-paced on our side. The girls could easily get trampled from how we were moving around.

As I cooked, I would occasionally look over to Gabi to make sure she was okay. Every time, she was giggling and chatting with the girls. I guess my baby had found some friends.

I hadn’t thought much about when I would head back home, but I had a feeling it would be just as hard on Gabi as it would be for me.

CAPONE

“Sooo?” Thor drawled out as soon as I was seated at the bar.

He and the guys were all watching me with knowing smirks. They were like a bunch of teenage girls waiting for gossip.

I took a sip of my beer, pretending I didn’t see them watching and waiting for my answer. There honestly wasn’t much to tell. I had been back at work, getting back into my routine with my guys. After work, I would get food and spend time at the hotel with Giovanna and Gabi before heading home.

Never had something as simple as spending time with a three-year-old been so satisfying. Baby Girl was a character. She was always so animated when she talked to me. I found myself looking forward to laying eyes on her and her mother.

Giovanna and I hadn’t really talked about the status of our relationship, but I think it was pretty clear that I cared about her and her daughter.

Today, when we were at my home, I was at peace having them there.

Hearing Giovanna just a few feet away, clinking the pots and pans as she cooked, my house felt like a home.

“Are you going to say something?” Thor snapped impatiently, breaking me from my thoughts.

“What exactly is it you want me to say?” I raised my brow at him.

“Anything. You act like you just didn’t walk in here like a family. You better tell us something.”

The guys around us laughed because he was dead serious. He needed to stop spending so much time with Cara and the Ol’ Ladies. He’d become one nosey bastard, always prying in someone’s business.

“There’s nothing to really tell. We’ve been spending time together and that’s it,” I said.

“So, in other words, you’re a soon-to-be taken man?” Gunner asked with sarcasm.

“Something like that.” I shrugged, taking a sip of my beer. Thankfully, the conversation moved on from me. After a little over an hour, the girls were setting out the chafing dishes. Giovanna wasn’t too far behind as she set up the dessert table.

She went all out with a red velvet cake, German chocolate cake, lemon cake, and a carrot cake. The guys were practically salivating as she placed each of the cakes down. When Giovanna turned around, she jumped from all the eyes that were on her.

I didn’t think anyone warned her how serious the guys take dessert around here. Giovanna spotted me and power walked over to me. “Should I be nervous?”

“If your desserts are as sweet as you, Sugar, then you have nothing to worry about,” I told her.

Her cheeks turned rosy at my comment. I chuckled, placing a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Mommy?” Gabi’s small voice broke through the connection.

“Yes, baby?” Giovanna asked, bending down to face Gabi.

I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it. My eyes dropped to that perfect ass of hers. Dirty thoughts took over and now I was envisioning bending her over the nearest surface and having my way with her.

I’d been trying to keep my dirty thoughts at bay but that was easier said than done.

I had never wanted a woman this damn bad.

The only reason I hadn’t really tried anything lately was because of Gabi.

I didn’t want her catching us in a compromising position.

Plus, I didn’t want any interruptions when I finally made my move, so I had been buying my time.

“Can I sit with my fwiends?” Gabi pointed to the table where most of the kids were. Angel and Blade’s three daughters were behind Gabi, giving Giovanna the biggest puppy dog eyes. Giovanna face softened, seeing how the girls didn’t want to separate from one another.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Giovanna agreed.

Dinner went on without a hitch. By the time everyone started in on the desserts, I watched Giovanna fidget in her seat, waiting for the verdict. Tiny was the most crazed brother for a good dessert. Giovanna watched as he took a bite quickly followed by another.

“Tell me it isn’t too late to claim you,” Tiny said with a serious face. The brothers around the table howled with laughter along with Giovanna.

Me?

I didn’t find one damn thing funny about it.

“Unless you’re ready to meet your maker, I suggest your greedy ass grab another slice of cake and shut it.”

I didn’t care if Tiny was six ten and built like a mountain. I’d chop his ass down like a tree if he even thought of making a move on Giovanna.

“Capone!” Giovanna admonished.

“Sugar,” I countered. I let my voice drop a few octaves. I watched as a shiver rocked her body. Her lips parted open before she hurriedly snapped them closed.

“I know that look.” Madison snickered.

“W-what?” Giovanna stammered, turning away from me.

“Oh nothing,” she sing-songed.

I chuckled at the blush coating Giovanna’s cheeks. When dinner was finally over, Gabi was bordering the line of a meltdown. She didn’t want to leave Angel and Blade’s girls and vice versa.

“I promise to bring you back tomorrow for a play date. How does that sound?” Giovanna tried bargaining with Gabi.

“O-okay,” Gabi sniffled. She walked over to me with a hung head, and I swooped her up, rubbing her back. Gabi placed her head on my shoulder, wrapping her arms around my neck.

Giovanna stared at us with the same look of admiration she had every time Gabi and I interacted with one another.

Before we left, Cara let Giovanna know Gabi was welcome anytime to play with the girls. With promises to be back the next day, I grabbed hold of Giovanna’s hand, and we left the clubhouse. By the time we made it to my truck, Gabi was fast asleep on my shoulder.

After getting Gabi strapped into her car seat, I took them to the hotel. I never thought much about having a family. I knew it would happen one day, but I didn’t exactly sit back and dream about it.

Now that I had Gabi and Giovanna, the only thing I could think about was how I didn’t want this to end.