Page 14 of Ruthless Secrets (Alpha Mafia Daddies #6)

Chapter Twelve

CLARA

I wake up drenched in sweat with my heart pounding in my chest as I gasp for air. But I don’t wait to try and catch my breath. I’m out of bed in an instant and rushing over to the porta crib where Zoe is sleeping soundly, cuddled up with her pink bunny.

She’s safe.

I sink to the floor beside the crib to watch my daughter as she sleeps, so blissfully unaware of the dangers that lie outside of these four walls.

Marco is in the room next door, which I find oddly comforting. It’s nice to know he’s nearby, and that I’m not completely alone.

I was sure he was going to put up a fight and insist on staying in the room with Zoe and me, but I’m glad he didn’t. I think it’s best that we keep a safe distance from each other while we try to navigate our new situation.

The sun is starting to stream through the windows, which means it’s close to morning. I must have fallen asleep for a few hours, which is surprising. Though any sleep I did get was haunted by the phantom sounds of gunshots, and I think it will be for a while yet.

I feel even more exhausted than I did last night when I climbed into bed.

I lean against Zoe’s crib and doze a little more until she eventually wakes, and I get her fed and changed.

If it weren’t for the fact that my stomach is growling, I would be tempted to hide away in this room for the entire day, just the two of us.

But at some point I’m going to have to face Marco, and by extension, his family.

I put Zoe back in her crib with some toys while I take a shower and get dressed for the day.

The dark purple bruising under my eyes makes me look like I’ve been beaten, and my complexion is deathly pale.

But I don’t have the energy to put on makeup or do anything with my hair other than tie it in a ponytail.

What’s the point when I have every intention of coming back to bed to take a nap after getting the two of us some breakfast.

My stomach flutters with nerves as I open the door to my room and peer out.

The faint sound of voices filters up the stairs, and when I glance to my right, Marco’s door is open.

It seems Zoe and I are the last ones to wake up.

I tighten my hold on her as I pad along the carpeted hall and down the vast staircase. I was too exhausted last night to take in this incredible house but right now, as the sun streams in through the windows, the place looks spectacular.

It’s something right out of film, and I’m terrified to even be walking along the carpet barefoot.

“Please don’t throw up on anything,” I mutter to Zoe as I cross the foyer.

The black and white tiled floor is cold against my bare feet.

There are vases of fresh flowers everywhere which smell incredible, and countless family photos on the walls.

For such an enormous house, it feels homely, which I find surprising.

Part of me pictured Marco’s family living in a dark, gothic mansion with bats flying around the attic.

I eventually find the kitchen, which is easily double the size of my entire apartment. There are even more flowers in here, and the walls are painted a sage green color that makes the whole room feel like a garden rather than a kitchen.

Zoe squeals in my arms as she spots the baby sitting in a chair at the round breakfast table.

I look at Lila. “This must be Holly.”

“Clara! Come and sit, I’m making pancakes.” She waves her spatula in the air, and Holly bangs her fists against her tray, which has Lila huffing. “All right, missy, they’re coming.”

I take a seat at the table beside Holly and offer her some blueberries that are on a bowl on the table. I glance anxiously over at Lila and watch as she spoons some more batter onto the skillet.

She seems so at home here, making pancakes for her child while wearing yoga clothes, with her dark hair piled on top of her head.

It’s so domestic and normal . Two words I was not expecting to use when referring to the De Lucas.

I look around. “Where is everyone else? I thought I heard other voices.”

And by everyone, I specifically mean Marco. At some point we’re going to have to sit down and have a proper talk, and I’d rather get it over with sooner rather than later, before I get too used to living in this incredible house.

Lila adds another pancake to the growing stack beside the stove. “The boys just went into Andre’s study. They tend to be early risers.”

Yet another thing I find surprising about Marco .

Zoe waves her hands at Holly, and I laugh as the two girls interact with each other.

“She looks so much like Zoe,” I comment.

“I know, right? It’s honestly freaky. They could be sisters!”

My throat is thick with emotion as I watch them.

All my life, I’ve wished to be a part of a big family with lots of brothers and sisters and cousins to play with. Maybe it’s because I had the exact opposite growing up. I always thought when I was ready to have kids, I would have at least three or four, just so that they wouldn’t feel so alone.

As Zoe laughs at Holly, my stomach twists in knots.

I wanted to give her so much more, and now I might have a chance to give her the life she deserves. But at what cost?

Lila carries the stack of pancakes over to the table. “Holly, stop bothering Zoe.”

I smile. “She’s fine. I think she’s just excited to be around another baby. She doesn’t get much opportunity other than the few hours she’s at daycare.”

“It’s so nice that the girls now have each other.

” Lila starts serving up the pancakes. “I didn’t think Holly would get a cousin until Rosa starts popping out kids.

But that won’t be for a while yet. Or not at all if Andre has a say because that would mean her actually having sex which is strictly forbidden until she’s thirty. ”

“Rosa?”

“Andre and Marco’s baby sister.”

Marco has a sister?

Lila frowns as she looks at me.

“Did Marco not tell you that?”

“Marco and I don’t really know each other.” For some reason, my cheeks burn as I admit that.

Lila pours us both some coffee. “Well, I can assure you that Marco is a great guy. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a real pain in the ass, but a good guy nonetheless. ”

When I don’t laugh, Lila sets down the coffee pot and offers me a sympathetic look.

“I’m sorry if this is all overwhelming. I can leave you to have a quiet breakfast if you like?”

“No, you’re fine.” My eyes start to well with tears. “It’s just I’ve never really had the whole extended family experience. It’s a little…overwhelming.”

“Oh, really?”

“I was raised by my mother, but she died when I was eighteen.”

“Oh, that’s so horrible. My own mother died giving birth to me, so I sort of know how you feel.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Lila shrugs. “I feel like I’m making up for it with Holly, though, by getting to give her all the experiences that my mom missed out on with me.”

“That’s exactly how I feel with Zoe.”

Lila offers me a warm smile and for the first time in days, I feel a spark of hope.

Could something good come out of this mess after all?

Lila takes a bite out of one of her pancakes. “So, was it just you and your mom?”

I bounce Zoe up and down on my lap as I think of Ben. “No. I have an older brother, but we haven’t spoken in years.”

“How come?”

“He got caught up in some stuff, so I ended up cutting contact. Last I heard, he’s in prison. My mom did have a sister who she never spoke to, so even if I did have cousins, I wouldn’t know them if I passed them in the street.”

“Families can really suck, sometimes.” Lila stabs another piece of pancake with her fork. It seems there’s a story there, but I don’t feel comfortable enough to pry.

I sigh. “Yeah.”

Lila turns the subject onto the girls, and we spend the rest of breakfast comparing newborn horror stories and laughing at the similarities between them while I feed Zoe small bits of pancake.

The past twenty-four hours have been overwhelming in terms of Zoe going missing and me being shot at like I was in some kind of Fast and Furious remake. But I will say one positive thing that’s come out of it is meeting Lila and Holly.

I love the idea of Zoe being a part of a big family, and I find Lila to be great company. I’m sure over time we could become firm friends.

But then I remember the reality of this family, and I worry that at any point something is going to go wrong, and Zoe and I are going to end up hurt.

Is it worth risking our lives just for the sake of family?

“Why didn’t you make me pancakes?”

I jump at the sound of Marco’s voice. I glance over my shoulder and try not to balk at the sight of him in a fresh black shirt and slacks.

His face is freshly shaved, and his dark hair is neatly styled except for a few loose strands. It’s times like this when I realize why I ended up taking him back to my hotel room all those months ago.

But then Zoe starts to whine, and I remember my priorities. It doesn’t matter how attractive Marco is, I cannot afford to get involved with him. Not that there’s much chance of that happening after last night.

“I think it’s time for your morning nap, baby.” I get to my feet and cradle Zoe against my chest.

She buries her face in my blouse and starts to whimper.

I didn’t realize how long Lila and I have been chatting for, and I need to get Zoe up to bed, otherwise she’s going to be grumpy for the rest of the day.

Marco stares at us. “Can I put her down?”

“Uh…” I tighten my hold on Zoe as I look at Marco .

He’s watching my daughter with such awe in his eyes that I start to soften. How can I say no when he’s looking at Zoe like she’s his entire world?

“We can do it together,” I suggest.

Marco dips his chin, and I exhale at the fact he didn’t put up a fight.

I turn to Lila. “Thank you for a lovely breakfast.”

“You’re welcome. It was nice to have another adult to talk to for once.”

Marco huffs. “Hey! I talk to you.”

“My point exactly.”

I try to hold back my laughter out of politeness but when I catch sight of Marco’s expression, I laugh so loudly that Zoe starts to cry.