Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Aurora let out a sigh and took him from me. She frowned at me. She didn’t look angry, only disappointed. I would have preferred her anger. “If this is you trying, then we really have a problem, and you need to talk to your parents sooner than later. And I really think you should only come over when Carlotta is here in the future.”
Ouch. I nodded slowly. “I told you so.”
“I think the problem is that you’re telling yourself that you can’t do it, when you simply don’t want to.”
I could see and feel Aurora pull back from me, but it was like we were connected by an invisible rope, and the more she tried to pull away, the more I wanted to drag her back to me. “Fuck, I’m trying, Rory. This isn’t easy for me either. I haven’t slept with anyone in months. I’m here with you and Battista when I should probably grab some sleep. Give me some time.”
She sighed. “Okay. Then let’s all have breakfast together.”
I nodded and sank back down at the table. Aurora put Battista in his high chair before preparing his morning meal. Battista eyed the colorful donuts with interest. I pushed them over to them. His eyes widened, and he snatched up the pink one closest to him and squeezed it tightly until the filling shot out. He slammed his palm down on the white cream with a giggle and brought it to his mouth. His eyes grew even wider when he tasted the sugary filling, and he began to lick it off his hands eagerly.
Aurora raised her eyebrows. “I suppose keeping sugar off his meal plan is a fail.”
Aurora’s phone beeped. My eyes immediately checked who had messaged her. Of course, Aurora noticed and sent me a glare. It was from her mother.
Aurora scanned the message with a frown. “Mom asks me to come over for dinner tonight. Apparently, a big Falcone-Scuderi feast is planned. Kiara went all out.”
She and I both glanced at Battista. “Carlotta can watch him, right?”
Aurora nodded, but her hesitation was plain on her face. “I have to ask her. I can’t just expect her to babysit whenever something comes up.” She bit her lip. “Tonight would be a good chance to tell your family.”
“No,” I said immediately. “I’m not going to tell them before I have figured it out myself. This isn’t just any news. It’s a huge mindfuck of news.”
When I returned to the mansion afterward, I felt erratic, as if last night’s raid hadn’t happened. Maybe I could convince Massimo and Alessio to go on another hunt with me tonight.
Mom sat on the couch, reading a magazine when I entered the common area. I headed over to her and plopped down. She put away her magazine. That was Mom. She always made time for us, no matter how annoying we were. Her blue eyes scanned my face, and her brows crinkled in concern. “Are you okay?”
“Sure,” I lied casually. “Not enough sleep, that’s all.”
Mom never asked about the details of my nightly hunts. The only time she’d been witness to my depravity had been on my twelfth birthday when she’d walked in on me torturing a guy who Dad had given me as a present. She knew what I was. She tried to pretend I wasn’t.
“I love you no matter what. You know that, don’t you?”
I gave a terse nod. Mom made a habit out of loving monsters. “It’s because I’m your child. You have no choice.”
Mom’s frown deepened. “That’s nonsense. I love you for who you are, for the man I know you’ll become.”
“Mom, you should lower your expectations if you don’t want to be disappointed.” I could tell she was going to argue with me, so I changed the topic. “Did you think Dad would be a good father? Or did you worry he’d mess up because of what he is?”
“I worried, but I shouldn’t have. He’s a good father.”
I nodded. He was. Maybe not in the conventional sense. My twelfth birthday present would probably be frowned upon by most people.
Mom watched me closely, worry clear on her face. She often worried about me.
“I can tell something is up.”
I considered telling her for a second, but instead, I patted her hand and rose to my feet.
Savio sauntered toward me. “My favorite psychopath.” He clapped my shoulder. “And the reason I’m happy being a girl dad.”
“I’m sure you’ll change your mind once they start dating.”
“They won’t. I’ll shoot whoever goes near them. I hear you’re trying to get Fabiano to do the same to you?” Mirth and curiosity danced in his brown eyes.
“Aurora and I are friends.”
“So were Gemma and I.”
“I don’t have a bull in my pants,” I said with a smirk.
“Only a tally list on your back.”
“And it’s growing.”
Savio rolled his eyes. “Your dad wants to talk to you in his office.”