I shrug. For some reason I haven’t been looking forward to this part. I don’t want to look too hard at the reason. “None. I’ll be interviewing this week.”
He turns fully toward me with a wide grin. “Need help?”
I shake my head with a chuckle. “Sure.”
We head up to the sun deck where there’s a kidney-shaped pool, and an LED-lit, sunken jacuzzi large enough for a dozen people, surrounded by cushioned loungers. Also, a smaller scaled stage for evening shows beneath the stars and an outdoor bar. “Solar panels are on top.”
Sully parks his large hands on his hips and shakes his head. “Jaysus, lads are going to lose touch with reality here.”
I take it all in, imagining it through his eyes. “That’s the plan. And they’ll pay dearly for the privilege.”
Chapter 7
Samantha
I’m just about to leave Mac so he can rest when voices drift down the hall. A feminine laugh, a low male chuckle. Then Sandro and Lennon step into the room, their fingers intertwined. I knew they were returning from their honeymoon today, I just wasn’t sure what time they’d get in.
Lennon is beaming, her green eyes—which are the exact shade as Killian’s—are glowing, her smile wide as she gives me a little finger wave and walks toward her father. “Hey, Sam. Did he behave himself?” She leans over to press a kiss to his forehead.
They’d grown close after he almost died. Watching it happen had me fantasizing about my own absentee father suddenly popping up in my life. But the reality was, mine was probably in a shallow grave somewhere with a bullet in his head. Heavy gamblers don’t tend to have a long lifespan.
“Now what would be the fun in that?” Mac teases her. The way he’s looking at her stabs me with a pang of jealousy.
“Well, hello, Peaches.” Lennon smiles as her kitten unfurls itself from the bottom of the bed and stretches. She picks it up and snuggles it under her chin as it begins to purr. “You’ve grown so much in two weeks. What about you? Have you behaved yourself?” She rubs her nose against the kitten’s head.
“Absolutely not,” Mac chimes in. “Little demon, that one. Likes to hide under the bed and attack my feet when I get up.”
We all chuckle at the image of the orange piece of fluff terrorizing a mob boss.
Sandro is standing just inside the door, quietly watching his wife with a soft expression. He’s in casual travel clothes and his hair is mussed. An aura of happiness surrounds him. Lennon has definitely softened his razor-sharp edges.
“How was Italy?” I ask. I’ve always wanted to go there. I should consider it for a place to hide.
“Amazing.” Lennon breathes, her hand fluttering over her heart as she sets the kitten back down on the bed. “Beautiful and delicious. I got to meet Nona Pina, Sandro’s grandmother and his aunt and all his cousins.”
“They loved her, of course,” Sandro says lazily.
“Indeed.” Mac grins at the daughter he’d only discovered he had a few months ago. “You must travel to Ireland soon, love, meet our side of the family. Your brothers attended the International School of Dublin growin’ up, you know.”
I tilt my head. That explains why they have Irish accents. I thought it was just from being raised by Mac.
“When you fully recover, we can make a family trip of it.” Sandro walks over and slips a protective arm around Lennon’s waist. “How’s the healing coming along?”
Mac shrugs. “Slower than I like. But Doc’s been taking good care of me. I’m sure I’ll be out of your hair soon.”
“Oh, Mac,” Lennon sighs, “you’re not in our hair.”
“You’re not,” Sandro echoes. “Stay as long as you want to. There’s plenty of room here. And speaking of,” Sandro flattenshis hand on Lennon’s lower belly. “Dr. Sam, Lennon will need a pregnancy test as soon as possible.”
Lennon chokes, a blush blooming on her cheeks. She smacks his arm. “Stop it. I’m not pregnant.”
He kisses her temple. “If not, you will be soon enough.”
She throws me an apologetic look and changes the subject. “Sam, will you stay for dinner tonight? Nonna Pina taught me how to make chicken cacciatore, and we brought back some delicious Italian wine. I want to make dinner and catch up with everyone.” She bites her lip. “And make use of the ridiculous new kitchen.”
I blink in surprise at her invite, but a warmth spreads through my body. “Only if you let me help.”
“Deal,” she says, checking her watch. “Meet me in the kitchen at four o’clock.”
