“It’s not your place to apologize for Cruz, Cristian. Though I appreciate the gesture, you have nothing to be sorry for. I apologize if I upset you or Elio that day at the shower. Seeing your gorgeous little boy made me think of the son I had to give away, and your resemblance to your brother sent me spiraling.”
“I understand. I didn’t know what I’d done to trigger you at the time, but it made sense when Fiero explained.”
“I notice you didn’t bring Elio today.” Fiero and I discussed it, and I made sure his son was included on Cristian’s invite, along with a plus one. “Was that for my benefit?”
“Mostly. I didn’t want to upset you on your special day. He’s also in the throes of the terrible twos, and I felt it was best to leave him with Isa.”
“Your nanny?” I surmise.
He nods. “She’s his biological aunt. On his mother’s side,” he adds. “The Da Rosa family weren’t happy I wanted to adopt Elio. They wanted to adopt him too, but we reached an agreement, and part of it was Isa would help me to take care of him.”
“Has it worked out?”
“For the most part, yes.”
“I’m glad. He’s a very handsome little boy.”
“He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” His face lights up as he smiles broadly, and looking at him now, I don’t know how I ever thought he was the spitting image of his brother. Yes, they share similar features, but Cristian is nothing like Cruz. He’s warm where his older brother was cold. Delightfully charismatic where Cruz was cruelly charming. Compassionate in place of Cruz’s impassive nature.
“He is lucky to have you.”
“I’m lucky to have him.” The truth radiates on his face and resonates in his words.
Fiero told me Cristian’s girlfriend, the woman he was hoping to marry, ditched him shortly after the adoption went through. It doesn’t look like Cristian resents or regrets his decision even if it cost him the woman he planned to build a future with. If you ask me, he’s better off without her anyway.What woman walks away from a man she professes to love when he’s made such a heartwarming sacrifice for his orphaned nephew?
“At some point, I’d like to talk to you about those other women my brother impregnated.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be of much help, but reach out after we return from our honeymoon, and we can arrange to meet up.”
“Thanks, Valentina.” He pauses for a second, seemingly unsure if he can ask what he wants to ask.
“You can ask me.”
“I don’t want to pry or upset you, but I was wondering if you were planning to locate your baby and bring him home?”
Of course, he’d have a vested interest. My baby is his nephew and Elio’s half-brother. “No,” I quietly admit. “I wanted to at first, and Fiero was happy to support me whatever I wanted to do.”
“He’s a good man, and he’ll make a great father.”
“Yes, he is, and he will.” I smile, rubbing at the little pain in my chest. I don’t think I’ll ever think of my firstborn son without a pain in my heart. “I can’t be selfish,” I admit. “My son has lived with his adopted parents for over a year. They love him, and he’s theirs. I cannot take him from them. Legally, it wouldn’t be possible, and I’m not kidnapping my child and putting his parents through that kind of hell. However, I still want to find him. To confirm Leandro is with good people. If he’s not, that will change things.”
“As it should. It’s important to know he’s being well cared for and loved.” He trails a hand along his smooth jawline. “Will you make contact with the parents? Ask them for updates?”
Slowly, I shake my head. “I would love that but, given who his father was and the connections toLa Cosa Nostra, I think it’s safer not to talk to them. To keep him as removed from themafiosoas possible, at least for now.”
“That’s probably wise. I’d recommend having someone close by to keep an eye on him. My brother made a lot of enemies.”
“Fiero already suggested the same thing, and we’ll put that in motion as soon as we find him.”
“Will the Camorra help?”
I nod. “Massimo and Bennett already spoke with them, and they agreed to locate him. Provided all is good, I think it’s in everyone’s best interests to leave things how they are, but I will contact him when he turns eighteen. I hope to form some kind of relationship with him then.”
“You’re a good person, Valentina. A selfless mother.”
Tears stab my eyes, and Cristian reaches for me, hesitating at the last second. “Can I give you a hug?” he asks, and I nod. His arms are gentle as they fold around me. “In all the ways that count, you’re my family, Valentina,” he softly says as he hugs me. “I know you have Fiero, but if you ever need me, I’m only a phone call away. In time, you can meet Elio too, if you like?”
“Hands off my woman, DiPietro.” Fiero’s growl bounces off the walls of the alcove as he stalks toward us.
