“Adrianna!” Hannah Taylor-Muccino, her best friend and adopted cousin, greeted as she came in.
“Hey, Hannah. No, don’t get up.” She waved her hand. “How’s Blaise?”
Hannah glanced down at the bundle in her arms. “She’s mostly sleeping through the night and eats a lot.”
She smiled at the tiny infant, nestled against her mom, her large, light hazel eyes wide open. “She’s growing so much. I swear it’s only been two weeks, but she’s filled out a lot more.” The beautiful little girl giggled when she reached over to tickle her.
“All the milk goes to her cheeks,” Hannah laughed, then stopped suddenly. “Er, who’s your friend?”
She froze, then turned her head. Darius was right behind her, his large frame towering over her. For a moment, his normal dismissive expression flickered into … wonder? Curiosity? “This is Darius. He’s my bodyguard.”
That earned her a stunned look from Hannah. “Bodyguard?”
“I’ll explain everything … in a bit.”
“Would you like me to wait outside, Miss Anderson?” he asked.
Thank goodness he offered. “Yes, please.” She didn’t need him eavesdropping on her and Hannah’s conversation.
He gave her a nod and turned to leave the room.
“So …” Hannah began as she placed Blaise in the infant carrier propped up on the chair next to her. “You finally agreed to have a bodyguard?”
Being her best friend since childhood, Hannah knew everything of course. “It’s not what you think.”
“Well, I’m glad,” Hannah sat down and faced her. “You’re so damn stubborn about this bodyguard thing. This is your safety we’re talking about. Of course, if I had someone like that, I wouldn’t say no.”
“Excuse me?”
Her friend chuckled. “Where did you find him, anyway? Beefcakes R Us?”
“Hannah!” she admonished. “You’re married, and you just had a kid! What would Anthony say?”
“What? I can’t look?” She gave her a sly look. “Do you plan to do more than looking?”
“Oh, please,” she said. “He doesn’t even want to be here.” She quickly explained to Hannah about The Family and how Darius had been offered by his uncle as a bodyguard.
“Ooh, a bad boy, huh?” Hannah teased. “I could tell right away, from those tattoos and those muscles. I’m not sure about that hipster dye job, though. But c’mon, you don’t find him the least bit attractive?”
“It doesn’t matter because he’s obviously not interested.”
“I don’t know, he’s got this vibe—”
“Excuse me, Ms. Anderson, Ms. Muccino,” a female server came in with a tray. “Your starters are ready.”
Thank God. She really did not want to discuss Darius anymore. “Excellent.” She turned to Hannah. “Let’s eat.”
As they enjoyed their meal, they didn’t broach the subject of Darius again. She deliberately manipulated the conversation, asking Hannah all about Blaise. It was obvious the new mother was only too happy to chat about her child, and Adrianna couldn’t blame her. Blaise was adorable and very much loved by her parents. Anthony and Hannah waited almost five years before having her as he was still working on his career as a top lawyer in New York and her wedding gown boutique was booming.
Hannah wiped her mouth with her napkin. “I need to use the ladies’ room,” she declared as she stood up. “Do you mind looking after her?”
Adrianna shook her head. “Not at all.”
“Thanks,” she said gratefully as she headed to the back door where the private facilities were. Unfortunately, as soon as Hannah disappeared, Blaise’s tiny lips stuck out and her mouth turned down into a frown.
“Oh, no! Baby …” When the tears pooled at the corner of her eyes and threatened to spill down her chubby cheeks, Adrianna quickly unstrapped her from her carrier. “There, there. Mommy’ll be back soon.” She brought Blaise to her chest, making soothing motions down her back, but her little body began to rack with soft sobs. She flipped the baby around so she could face the kitchen, hoping the activity would distract her. “Look, Blaise! Did you see that? It’s—”
Cobalt blue eyes staring at her made her stop, and her heart gave a nervous jolt. Darius was right outside the glass windows, facing her. How long had he been staring at her? And what was that look in his eyes? His gaze flickered down to Blaise and then he turned away, giving his back to her, settling into a defensive position like he expected the mages to come bursting through the door.
“Adrianna?” Hannah had come up beside her. “Is there anything wrong? Was she fussy?”
Blaise seemed distracted by the noise and the bustle of the kitchen and had gone quiet in her arms. “She’s fine now.” She handed the baby back to Hannah.
“Thanks. Oh, look, my brother finally decided to show his face,” Hannah nodded toward the door.
She turned around. “Ah, looks like the lunch rush is slowing down.”
Gio Muccino, who ran the kitchen when Uncle Dante wasn’t around, waved to them from the other side of the glass wall as he walked toward the dining room. He slowed down as he passed by Darius, his eyes narrowing at the other man. Darius paid him no mind, but stepped aside to let him pass.
“Hey, Adrianna, Hannah,” he greeted, then went straight to Blaise. “Hey, how’s my bambina? Did you miss Uncle Gio?” He tickled her chubby belly, sending Blaise into peals of laughter. “So, who’s Mr. Serious out there?”
“Adrianna’s bodyguard,” Hannah said.
“Really?” Gio looked at her like she had grown another head.
She rolled her eyes. “Really,” she said.
Her cousin nodded in approval. “Good for you. I know you don’t like it, but you really do need someone protecting you.”
“I’m going to be Alpha.” If her tone sounded annoyed, it’s because she was. “Don’t you all think I’m capable of taking care of myself?”
“It’s not that, Adrianna,” Gio began, his mismatched eyes turning concerned. “Those mages mean business. We gotta do everything we can to keep you safe.”
She knew he was
