69
Zayne (38 years)
“What are you telling me, Declan?” I grunted, irritation lining my brow. I had on speaker and stood in the Castle foyer. Surprisingly, Salvatore had invited me back. He and Gianna needed to talk so I gave them their privacy while I called Declan.
“I checked after we met Zayne. Those DNA matches go back six years. The name on the file is Maddox Mancini, registered under Cassius Mancini. Seems like the child has a hearing and speech problem. Cassius was having tests conducted for surgery, but it never happened.”
I cursed. “That’s Cassius Mancini. Ria’s father. Her correct name is Gianna Mancini.”
“Zayne,” Declan paused. “The only logical explanation is that Ria had your child.”
I shook my head. “She’s adamant she lost her child with Salvatore. If she also had a kid with me, I doubt she’d hide him from me.”
“Hate to break it to you, bro but Maddox is a living, breathing child, and the tests say he’s yours,” Declan pointed out.
“Fuck. Thanks, Dec.” I cut the call, shoving my hand in my hair for the tenth time.
“Maybe I can help.”
I swiveled to find a beautiful woman behind me. She was leaning against the main door eyeing me intently.
“And you are?” I realized I sounded rude but I cared two fucks right about my personality trait.
She extended a hand. “Hi. I’m a friend of Vincenzo Salvatore. He’s invited me to visit his lovely wife and share some personal details with her. And judging by your call right now I’d say you’re very frustrated. If you’re interested in learning some facts, maybe you should join me.” She gave me a wide smile that seemed genuine.
“After you.” I followed her inside and toward Salvatore’s den.
“There’s—” I entered the den to Ria wrapped in Salvatore’s arms and the words froze on my lips.
The way they looked at each other, it didn’t take an idiot to know they loved each other, yet too stupid to share it. I cleared my throat and he stepped back from her. Her green eyes, red-rimmed and glazed with tears lifted to mine, her smile light. I looked away before she could read the pain of loss in my eyes because I knew after today, I’d lost Ria Singh forever and Gianna Salvatore was here to stay.
“There’s someone here to see you, Salvatore.”
The woman entered behind me but it was Ria who reacted like she’d just seen a ghost. “Oh, my God, Lotus,” she cried. “You’re alive?” Ria ran into the woman’s arms and they shared kisses to the cheeks before they broke apart. “Oh, God, how?” Ria couldn’t stop laughing. “I thought you died that day.”
The other woman’s laugh was gentler, more mature but anyone looking in could see she cared for Ria. “I’m a tough bitch.”
“I’ll say,” Ria laughed then she sobered. “Wait. How did you know where to find me?”
“I’m here at his request.” She gestured to Salvatore.
He stepped forward and they hugged like good friends. “Long time, Kairi.”
“Well, when you call, I come,” she teased.
“How do you two know each other,” Ria’s face was contorted in something close to anger. Was she jealous of the other lady?
“Kairi, I need your help to explain everything that happened to my wife in Japan please. I need her to understand why I did what I did?” Salvatore spoke up.
