Page 17 of Single Mom's Mafia Daddies

Leo tucked his hands beneath his chin and buried his head on Lila’s shoulder. “No.”

Renzo and Alessio stood with their heads bent together. I needed to join them, but Lila and her boy held me captive. His sudden shyness reminded me of Alessio as a boy, back when we’d run together with nothing more important to us than getting into mischief and seeing how long it took for our fathers to find us.

“It’s just as well.” I winked at Lila. “If he smiles too much, his face might break.”

“Maybe it would get stuck that way and he’d have to smile all the time.” Lila tickled Leo’s belly. “Wouldn’t that be funny?”

The giant soldier tipped his head in our direction, listening to us as we poked fun at him, but remained focused on Alessio.

“How about those drinks?” I scooted into the closest chair. “I’d be happy to show you around, let you get a feel for the place.”

“Not sure it will help.” Lila patted Leo’s back. “Pretty sure you could fit a city block in here.”

“Half.” I shrugged when she gaped. “We like having plenty of space.”

“A beautiful prison is still a prison.” Her chin jutted out, stubbornness turning her eyes cold. Even with her suit rumpled, her hair disheveled, and a streak of what looked like blood trailing down the side of her neck, she was a stunning woman. Her long curls draped over one shoulder, Leo snuggled in on the other, and her body was tense as strung wire even as she soothed him.

“And you’ll find no safer one than this. Here with us.” It was a promise I intended to uphold.

“Matteo, walk with me.” Alessio’s commanding tone forced me to comply.

I stood and adjusted my suit, winked at Leo and Lila, and followed Alessio into the hallway.

“What are you doing?” He tunneled his hands through his hair.

I maintained my relaxed posture but crossed my arms. “Keeping them from falling apart. She’s not from this world, Alessio. She needs reassurance.”

“Don’t.” He poked me hard in the chest. “Don’t tell me what she needs.”

“Why not?” I tipped my head to the side. “You don’t seem to want anything to do with her. You won’t look at her. Won’t speak to her. If I hadn’t stepped in, she’d have bolted. We both know how that ends.”

“Fuck.” Alessio tore his jacket open, sending buttons flying. The rush of anger reddened his face and all the tiny scratches I’d noticed earlier darkened.

“You need to tell her.” I’d thought it from the moment he had me investigate Lila. “The timing of Leo’s birth aligns with your time at the college. He’s likely your son.” My mouth twisted hard enough I felt it pull to one side. “Hell, he looks exactly like you.There’s no doubt he’s yours. If any of the Verduccis saw it, they’d know too. That’s probably why they attacked the boutique.”

“I can’t tell her.” His clipped response begged for a rebuttal.

Alessio stiffened when Renzo joined us. “Where’s Lila?”

“With the boy. She asked to see their rooms.” He stuck his thumbs into his belt. “They’re safe.”

“As safe as she’ll allow.” I shook my head with a sigh. “She’s a firecracker, Alessio. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“Fuck off, Matteo.”

I grinned despite the anger in his face. “You’re afraid. The great Alessio is worried that if he tells her he’s part of the mafia, she’ll leave.”

It was a valid concern. Once she knew the truth, she became a liability if she had no loyalty to us. The boy gave us that loyalty, even if she didn’t know it.

I signed as the analytical part of my brain overrode the flirty playboy. This was business, not pleasure.

9

RENZO

Iwelcomed the night and the shadows that came with it. Soft air skimmed my cheeks and brought a lingering touch of memory I avoided before it pulled me back into years I’d rather forget. Nothing had prepared me for war, for the kind of death and destruction that came in the sand, heat, and grit of another world. I’d lived a lifetime in those few years of service and lost far too many friends.

Tightening my grip on the pistol tucked into the holster on my right side, I skirted around the edge of the house and checked the tall stone fence for any signs of invasion. Nothing moved. Holding my breath, I counted to ten, assessing and calculating the likelihood someone had jumped the fence and were on their way into the house to kill Alessio. No alarms rang. One of my men approached from the other side of the house, saw me, and tapped the rim of his cap in a silent signal that all was well.