He puts his plate down and proceeds to tickle me, stopping when my squeals get out of control and we risk waking the kids. His features soften as he pulls me into a hug. “This, right here, is everything I never knew I was craving.” He nuzzles his nose in my neck. “Sometimes I worry the intensity of my feelings for you is too much.”
“I can relate.” I wrap my arms around him and rest my head on his shoulder. “I’m so happy I could burst.”
Softly, he tips my head up, staring into my eyes. My heart thuds at the look of sheer adoration on his face and the immeasurable emotion in his gaze. We stare at one another, our hearts full and open, that connection between us buzzing with the strength of our affection. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I love him, but we have only been together a few days, and I don’t want to do or say anything to ruin what we’re building.
As soon as that thought lands in my mind, a little voice shoutschickenin my ear. It’s a timely reminder and exactly what I need to hear to grab my courage and say what I have felt like saying for a long time. I’m not afraid to tell him how I feel, even if he isn’t quite on the same page. I know there is nothing I could say or do that would make Alesso run from me now.
Sliding one hand up his chest, I peer directly into his eyes. “I love you.”
He sucks in a gasp, and I’m startled when tears well in his eyes. “I love you too,” he rasps, and moisture prods the backs of my retinas. “I have loved you for a long time.”
“Me too,” I quietly admit. This is everything I have dreamed of and wished for, and I feel like pinching myself. “I had no clue you felt the same way.”
“I do. You’re my person, Rena. The only one for me.” He plants a soft loving kiss on my lips.
My eyes are glassy when we break our lip-lock. “I have never said that to any man before.”
“I have never said that to any woman either.”
My heart swells with so much love it’s a miracle it fits behind my rib cage. “Another first.”
“I want all your firsts,” he says, sweeping his fingers across my cheek.
“I’ll give them to you.” I run my fingers through his hair, staring at him in awe. “I can’t believe you are mine. It feels surreal. I want to bottle this feeling and inhale it forever.”
“Me too, and I’m glad we waited. This feels like the perfect time.”
“You are?”
He nods. “I don’t regret anything that has come before because it led us here. We are exactly where we should be, and now you’re mine I am never letting you go.”
28
ALESSO
Tension is rife the entire journey from the airport to Ben’s Greenwich house. Everyone is still shell-shocked and lost in their own thoughts. One by one, we emerge from the SUVs weighted down by the devastating loss of life we just witnessed in Chicago. The meeting was an ambush, and we are lucky we got out of there with our lives. Most didn’t. I glance over at the twins. Caleb’s impassive face is as worrisome as Joshua’s heartbroken one. Natalia tried to comfort both boys, but Caleb was having none of it. Joshua glued himself to her side from the second we escaped the destruction, wearing the same gut-wrenching look he still has on his face.
Watching their father gunned down in front of their eyes is something they will never forget. It doesn’t matter if they were estranged or angry with Gino at the time of his death—he was still their father. Now they have lost both biological parents, which is sad. Thank fuck they have Natalia and Leo. Which is more than I had growing up. They will get them through this.
The front door opens, and Sierra, Serena, and the kids rush out to greet us. Sierra flings herself into Ben’s arms, sobbing hysterically. She’s trying to talk, but she can’t form the words. Ben holds her against him in one arm while he lifts Rowan with the other, comforting his son who is upset because his mother is.
I stumble back a couple steps when Serena throws herself at me, caught off guard. “We were so worried!” Anxiety bleeds into her tone. “It’s all over the news, and when we couldn’t reach any of you, we thought the worst.” A sob rips from her mouth, and I band my arms around her, holding her close, as the kids each hug one of my legs. I place a hand on top of Elisa’s head and then Romeo’s, hoping it reassures them. They look worried too. All the kids are feeding off their mothers’ emotions.
“We tried calling from the car, but none of us had a signal,” I explain. “Our primary concern was getting the hell out of there.” We didn’t know if DeLuca had men stationed on the roads or at the airport to stop anyone who may have escaped, so we had to keep our wits about us. “We sent messages as the plane was taking off, but I didn’t realize you and Sierra hadn’t received them. I’m sorry you were worried.” Most everyone neglected to charge their phones on the plane. It’s hard to function when confronted with how close we all came to meeting our maker.
“We thought you died in the explosion. We thought you were all gone,” she cries, burying her face in my chest. “I was so scared. I can’t lose you.” She clings to my shirt. “Not when I’ve just found you.”
“We should get inside.” Ben’s anxious gaze skates around the property, and it speaks volumes when the boss doesn’t even feel safe here.
Romeo climbs onto my back, and I hold Serena’s and Elisa’s hands as we walk inside.
“Serena.” Ben calls out after everyone is inside and the front door is closed. “Can you take care of Sierra? We have urgent business we need to attend to.” Sierra clings to her husband, still crying and still in obvious shock. I know Ben would be with her if he could, but the situation is dire, and it requires all hands on deck.
I crouch down, and Romeo slides off my back. He instantly runs to his cousin, whispering in his ear.
“Honey.” Ben gently cups Sierra’s face. “I’m okay. I know you were scared, but we’re okay.” He dots kisses all over her face. “Let Rena run you a bath and pour you some wine. One glass won’t harm the baby.” He kisses her on the mouth as Serena circles her arms around my neck and plants a fierce kiss on my lips.
“I love you,” she says, her voice projecting loud and proud.
