My face pales. “I’m so sorry.”
He shrugs. “He’s been ill for years with different ailments, and then he was diagnosed with cancer eighteen months ago. His condition has deteriorated a lot these past few months. He doesn’t have much longer left to live.”
“You should have said something.”
“I know.” He sighs, dragging a hand through his hair. “I had every intention of asking you to come here for a weekend soon. I have always wanted him to meet you and Rowan before it was too late.”
“He knows about us?”
“Of course. I told him and Natalia as soon as I found out,” he says, keeping a hold of my hand as he slides out of the car.
Rowan is clinging to Alesso’s back while Frank retrieves our bags from the trunk. Thankfully, Ben left Ciro in the city. That guy is always grumpy and unfriendly. I don’t like being around him. Ian has come with us, because Ben wants him to train with the security detail at the house, while Frank and Alesso will continue to be our permanent bodyguards. It seems unnecessary now if all we will be doing is hanging around the house and grounds. There are enough guards on the property to keep us safe, but this is one area I am happy to leave to Ben’s expertise. If he wants Frank and Alesso around, I’m not going to argue.
Ben takes Rowan from Alesso, letting our son crawl onto his back as I cling to his hand. Then we walk as a family toward his father and sister.
Natalia rushes forward to meet us when we get closer. “I’m so glad you are safe.” She bundles me into her arms. “I was freaking out when Ben told me what had happened.” She keeps me at arm’s length, studying the wound on my cheek and the clear bruising on my neck with a frown. “Does it hurt?”
I shake my head. “I barely feel it.”
“Daddy,” Rowan says. “Who is that pretty lady?”
“Oh my.” Natalia’s eyes fill up as she looks at Rowan. His chin is resting on Ben’s shoulder as he peers curiously at his aunt.
I slip my hand from Ben’s as he pulls Rowan around to his front. “This is your Auntie Natalia,” he says. “Natalia. This is my son, Rowan.”
Pride suffuses his tone and stretches across his face, and I find myself tearing up again. When Rowan asked Ben if he was his daddy last night, I could barely contain myself. It was one of the most emotional moments of my life, and I cried silent tears of joy watching them hugging. Nothing could have prepared me for the tsunami of emotion I feel every time I watch father and son together.
Seeing them together is beautiful.
Visualizing our lives together as a family is beautiful even if it’s scary too because so much is hanging in the air.
“I’m really happy to meet you, Rowan,” Natalia says, choking back tears. “You look so much like your daddy.” She glances briefly at me. “And you’re every bit as beautiful as your mommy.”
“I think you’re beautiful,” Rowan says. “A princess, just like my mom.”
Natalia laughs, swiping tears away. “Oh, you’re most definitely your father’s son.” She clasps Ben’s hand and mine at the same time. “He’s so precious.”
A gentle whirring sound captures all our attention at once, and we turn as one toward the man wheeling toward us. His clothes hang off his skeletal frame, and his arms look like they might break as he pushes the wheels of his chair with feeble strength. A thick gray-and-blue-plaid blanket rests at his waist, covering his legs. His breath puffs out in wheezy spurts as he comes to a stop in front of us. Ben kneels, bringing Rowan with him. “This is your Grandpa Angelo, Rowan.”
“Hello, young man.” Angelo extends a shaky arm, clasping bony fingers around Rowan’s hand. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for weeks.”
“Hi.” Rowan’s voice is meek as he clings shyly to his dad. He has never seen anyone in a wheelchair or anyone this sick before.
“Come sit.” Angelo pats his knee.
“Papa.” Natalia shakes her head, but Angelo raises a hand.
“Stop fussing.” A rattling sound erupts from his chest, and I’m questioning the wisdom of letting Rowan sit on his lap when an older woman, with her graying hair pinned into an austere bun, rushes out of the house. She’s wearing blue scrubs and carrying what looks like an oxygen tank. “Quick, Rowan,” Angelo wheezes. “Give your nonno a hug before Nurse Ratchet locks me away in my dungeon.”
Rowan looks petrified now, so Ben keeps a hold of him, leaning across and whispering in his ear. Rowan doesn’t sit on Angelo’s lap, but he gives him a quick hug from the safety of Ben’s arms.
“He’s a good boy,” Angelo says, beaming with pride. His gray pallor seems to warm a little under his shaky smile.
“Unlike some.” The nurse glares at Angelo. “What have I told you about exerting yourself?”
“It’s my fault,” Natalia says. “I got excited and left him at the door.”
“Relax.” Angelo waves his hands in the air, pushing the nurse away as she tries to fit an oxygen mask around his face. “I’m not dead yet, and I wanted to see my grandson.”
“Let’s go inside,” Ben says. “It’s cold out.”
“Not before I say hello to my future daughter-in-law,” Angelo says, wheezing heavily. The nurse tries to put the mask on him again, but he slaps her hands away.
I can see where Ben gets his stubborn streak from.
“I’ll make you a deal,” I say, crouching down so we’re eye level. “You put your mask on, and I’ll stop by your room after I get Rowan settled so we can get acquainted.”
His cold, trembling hands grasp mine. “Don’t go making deals with the devil. They’ll only land you in trouble.” He says it with a smile, and it’s hard to look at this frail, sickly man and remember he was once a fearsome mafia don. Angelo keeps a hold of my hands, ignoring my deal as he looks up at his son. “She’s even more beautiful than you said.” He lets go of my hands to point a finger at Ben. “Don’t go messing it up.”
“Inside, Angelo.” The nurse pins him with a “don’t mess with me” look that’s impressive.
Ben takes my hand as Angelo finally allows the nurse to fit the oxygen mask over his mouth. Natalia pulls the blanket up over his shoulders before pushing her father inside the house.
“Ready to see your new home?” Ben asks, just before we step over the threshold.
The moment feels huge. Like I’m not just crossing the threshold into a house but a new life. Ignoring the butterflies in my chest, I squeeze Ben’s hand and smile as I take a step forward. “Lead the way.”
37
SIERRA
“This is the east wing of the house,” Ben explains as we step behind tall double mahogany doors into an enclosed section of his property. He just gave us a fifty-cent tour of the main living spaces including the large kitchen and breakfast room, homey living room, family dining room, expansive sunroom, indoor pool and gym, movie theater, game room, and bar. He also has a formal ballroom, but it’s never been used since he doesn’t invite guests here. There are two offices, both on this side of the house, and he told me I’m welcome to use Angelo’s office as he doesn’t use it anymore.