“Why would you get involved in this? Why don’t you send your men to deal with this? My father would never risk his life in an attack.”
Cassio smiled ironically. “That’s why your father isn’t the best Underboss. If you want your men’s loyalty, you have to show them that you’re willing to fight at their side.”
I shook my head. “That’s how people get killed.”
“Are you worried about me?”
I wrapped my arm around his middle and pressed my cheek to his chest. “Promise me to be more careful.”
“I’m always careful.”
“The wound tells a different story.”
“Let’s get you into bed now. It’s—”
Simona’s cry rang from the speakers. “No bed for me.”
Cassio pressed his palm to my lower back and nudged me toward the bed. “You go to sleep and I’ll handle Simona.”
“You need to rest—”
“No. Let me handle her.”
I realized he needed to do it, to hold his little daughter. Maybe it was his way to remind himself of the good in this world.
“All right.” I sank down on the bed, feeling completely drained. Cassio kissed me briefly before he headed for the nursery.
I’d grown up in the mafia world. Death and danger were constant companions, but Dad had never come home injured. He knew how to stay out of trouble and let others risk their lives for him. I admired Cassio for his bravery. Yet at the same time, I wished he were a coward like Dad so he’d be safe. For his children… and me.
Daniele and I settled on the floor. It was bonding time, not just between him and me, but also with Loulou, while Simona had her afternoon nap. The last couple of evenings Cassio had come home late again, and I hoped it wouldn’t turn into a permanent thing. For now, I focused my main attention on Daniele, Simona, and Loulou. They kept me distracted enough.
Loulou trotted closer with a ball in her muzzle as she usually did when I sat down on the floor. I took the ball from her and rolled it over the floor. Daniele followed everything with curious eyes. After two tosses, I held the ball out to him. He took it and flung it away then smiled widely when Loulou chased her toy. We did this for a couple of minutes before I put the ball away and patted the spot in front me. Loulou came closer, her pink tongue lolling about adorably. I stroked her gently then crossed my legs and motioned for Loulou to come even closer. She curled up in my lap, and I stroked her ears gently, amazed at how silky this spot of her felt to the touch.
Daniele moved closer until his knees bumped against my thigh. I could tell how much he wanted to touch Loulou. I regarded her for a while to see if she was ready for more closeness. In the last few days, she hadn’t tried to avoid Daniele anymore. Now, she seemed completely relaxed, her eyes half-closed as she watched Daniele. “Do you want to touch her?”
Daniele gave a quick nod.
“Try to move slowly, so she can get used to your presence, all right?” Another sharp nod.
“She’s shy. She needs to get to know you and see that you’re her friend.”
I took Daniele’s hand and put it on Loulou’s back. Her ears twitched in curiosity and her eyes opened a bit more. Slowly, I moved Daniele’s hand along her side, staying away from her head for now because I’d read that dogs often felt threatened by a touch there. Loulou’s eyes drooped once more as she enjoyed the caresses. “See? You have to be careful. Loulou is small. Don’t tug at her ears or tail, all right?”
Daniele nodded, watching his hand on the fur, mesmerized.
I pulled away, allowing him to do this on his own. Maybe we were on the right path. Even Cassio had stopped complaining about Loulou. Simona allowed me to calm her at night often now, which gave Cassio the chance to sleep more.
I smiled, feeling a wave of optimism.
I was half asleep when Cassio returned home that night. A week had passed since the killings, and the kids and I had barely seen him.
I watched him get ready for bed. Then he stretched out beside me.
“When will you be home for dinner again?”
Cassio touched my hip, pulling me closer. His lips found mine but despite the rush of heat, I drew back. Our only interactions apart from a few exchanged words had been sex. He sighed. “Work is important. I have too much to do. I’m tired. I only want to take my mind off things when I get home and not argue with you.” He kissed me again, and this time I pushed him back, angry.
“You treat me like a nanny and whore, Cassio. I deserve better.”
“I would never treat you like a whore,” he growled. “You are my wife and I want you. If I remember correctly, you always enjoy it.”
I did. Cassio made sure I came before and during intercourse. “That doesn’t mean I don’t need us to form an emotional bond as well. I thought we were on a good path, but now you’re pulling back again. Is it really just because of your workload or is it something else?”
He was silent for a moment. “I’m trying to make sure you and my kids are safe. I need to be in absolute control of my city to guarantee your safety.” He kissed me again, softer this time, but I could feel the urgency lurking just beneath. “I’ll try to be home around dinnertime.”
Was it to appease me? I allowed him to deepen the kiss, to slide down my nightgown and awaken my body with his lips.
The next day, I browsed party ideas for third birthdays. Daniele’s special day was in a week, and I wanted to surprise him with a cake and a themed birthday party. Clutching the edge of
