Page 102 of Wounded King

I don't know what it is about this woman that distracts the hell out of me and makes me lose all track of time, but once again, she manages just fine. When Luciano texts me that they're on their way up, I haven't even told Violet that her family is coming, nor have I eased my way into talking to her about her father. Fuck.

Quickly, I finish what I was doing, making an espresso for me and a cappuccino for her, then fill her in. "Luciano is on his way up with your family," I say, since I'm out of time to ease her into it.

She nearly chokes on the cappuccino. Funny, I never realized before that she was accident-prone. Gently, I clap her on the back, "Better?"

"Yeah, did you say my family is on the way up?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Her hazel eyes are wide in bewilderment.

"I wanted to talk to you about this before, but…" I raise my hands, "We ran out of time. Do you trust me?"

My beautiful Violet nods decisively, "With my life."

"Good, you might be tested on that in a few."

"I don't understand, what?—"

She doesn't get to finish as the door opens after a short knock, and Luciano ushers Violet's family inside. Unsurprisingly, she jumps up to hug them. Luciano's eyes meet mine over the excitement.Anything I need to know,mine ask.

Nothing serious, his answer.

"Come," Violet rushes to my side and pulls me forward. "Marcello, meet my mom, Linda."

Her mom looks just like an older version of the picture I saw. Her hair isn't blonde anymore, but brown; the color is not washed out, so it's recently dyed. Interesting. Her eyes are blue, very different from Violet's, and a quick glimpse at her brother and sister tells me they share their mother's eyes.

"Nice to meet you," I say, staying civil for now, even though I want to shake this woman in front of me and ask her a hundred questions. I do, however, understand that is not the way to greet my future mother-in-law.

"Mom, this is Marcello," Violet beams.

Linda looks sourly at me. "I know who he is. I thought you ended this nonsense."

"Mom." Violet glares at her and pulls Elaine forward. "My sister, Elaine."

"Pleasure," I shake her hand.

She looks at me more curious than hostile. Her handshake is strong, just like her husband's, who is next, holding a baby in his arms.

"My brother-in-law, Lee, and my nephew, Mark." Violet's face turns tender when she takes in the baby. She holds out her arms, moving her fingers rapidly in an adorable, gimme, gimme way. Indulgently, Lee passes Mark to her. "And this is my brother, Sebastian."

We shake hands and nod, but I'm fucking distracted by the baby in Violet's arms. I've seen her soft before—usually when she's talking to that spoiled cat—but this is different. Deeper. The way she looks down at that sleeping face, like the whole world just narrowed to one tiny heartbeat in her arms, does something to me.

Something dangerous.

A new emotion—richer, heavier—floods my chest. Possession, yes. But more than that.Hunger.

I want that. With her.

I want to see her belly round with my child. I want to feel her fall asleep beside me, our baby between us, safe and soft and loved. I want sons who'll carry my name and daughters with her fire in their eyes.

And I want to be the one who gives her all of it.

The thought isn't some passing fantasy—it's a need. A claim. A vow.

"Can we now please know why we are here?" Linda demands, bringing me back to reality.

"Please, have a seat." I ignore her request. She needs to understand right fucking now that I'm the one in charge here, and no matter that she is Violet's mother, I will do anything to keep her daughter safe, even if it means pissing her off.