Page 90 of The Temptation

“Peach ate a sandwich on the way over, but I was going to grab something on the road.”

“Don’t be silly,” Lucia says. “We just sat down to dinner when you arrived. There’s plenty. Come eat with us before you go.”

She scoops Peach into her arms, and I catch one last glimpse of her before they vanish inside the house. She’s a cute little thing, with a round cherub face, large brown eyes, and a cute button nose. Her pigtails are crooked—one sitting noticeably higher than the other—and the part running down the centre of her hair zigzags instead of being straight, but even I can recognise the effort Dominic put in.

She’s dressed in clean, pink pyjamas dotted with tiny rainbows and clouds. Her slippers are shaped like fuzzy pink bunnies. This little girl is cared for; that much is obvious, which feels like such a stark contrast coming from a man who breaks legs and snaps necks for a living.

When we’re alone, Dominic’s eyes meet mine. “I can leave if you’d prefer. I only came here tonight because I was desperate. That tiny human means the world to me, so I’m picky about who I leave her with.”

I blow out a long breath because I know I’m acting like an arsehole. He’sFamiglia. And he’s about to risk his life by heading into enemy territory. The least I can do is send him off with a full stomach and the knowledge that his niece will be cared for until he returns.

“Come in,” I say, stepping aside to let him through.

Peach sits perched on her uncle’s lap at the table, and I’m trying hard not to stare, but fuck, I can’t seem to look away. They’re sharing one plate of food as he feeds her delicate little forkfuls, between shovelling massive amounts into his own mouth. His huge hand makes her head look impossibly small, yet he handles her with such care it almost doesn’t make sense.

My attention swings towards Lucia when she kicks the side of my leg under the table. I shoot her a look, brow raised, clearly asking,“What the fuck was that for?”

She answers without a word. Just a sharp glare that probably translates to,“They’re not a freak show. Stop staring at them like a damn creep.”

I clear my throat and force myself to concentrate on my own meal.

When they have finished their food, he delicately wipes her face and hands clean and stands.

“You be a good girl for Lucia and Romeo,” he tells Peach gently. “Romeo will take you to Mrs B’s tomorrow, and I’ll be home in a few days.”

She replies with a soft “Kay” and nods, but I don’t miss the faint quiver of her lower lip.

He sees it too because his brow furrows as he leans in to press a soft kiss to her cheek. “I’ll be back in a few days,” he murmurs.

As he pulls away, he taps the tip of a finger against his own cheek. The toddler responds without hesitation, planting her lips right where he indicated.

His huge hand brushes lightly over her uneven pigtails. It’s a gesture so tender it clashes with the ruthless man I know him to be, and it’s made all the more jarring when he adds, “I love you, Lil’ Peach, never forget that.”

Two things hit me at once. First, how easily the words come out of his mouth. It makes something bitter twist in my gut. The second is the way he looks at her when he says them. I’ve seen that look before. I’ve worn it myself. There’s fear behind his eyes, buried under all that steel. He’s already thinking the worst … what happens to this little girl if he doesn’t come back?

“Wuv you,” she whispers back.

A breathy sigh escapes Lucia, and my eyes snap to her. She’s resting her chin in her hand, watching them with those damn heart eyes. They’d better be for that sweet moment, and not forhim.

I’m tempted to kick her back for staring, but of course, I don’t.

Lucia moves around the table and takes Peach out of Dominic’s arms, and thankfully, she goes to her with no trouble.

“She had a bath before we came here,” he says. “She usually goes to bed around seven, and she likes to sleep with her teddy. It’s in her backpack. She’s toilet trained, but I still put a nappy on her when she goes to bed just in case.”

“Okay,” Lucia replies.

“I packed her favourite book as well. If she won’t settle, you can read that to her.”

“She’ll be fine, Dom. Don’t stress.”

His eyes move from Lucia to me. “I appreciate you both doing this for me.”

“It’s no bother,” she says, and a sick, uneasy feeling settles in my gut as I watch them.

“Romeo has my number if there’s an issue.”

Lucia shifts Peach onto her hip and places a hand on Dominic’s arm. “Be safe, okay.”