A small bark comes from the living room, which has me, Maddie, and Skye turning our attention.
Skye lets out a playful bark and bounds over to the rest of the crew.
I didn’t even notice Harrison had Jules’s new puppy on a leash when he walked in.
“Don’t be nervous, Mads.” I hold her tighter. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, I promise.”
“Yeah. Okay.” Her attention is on the dog now. “Look at how cute!” she coos, then tenses when Mase walks over to us.
I speak before he does. “I’m with you on everything you said. Mistakes were made and we can’t undo them.” I hold his gaze. “But we’re not going to tear her apart over it. We’re all scared. We’re all stressed. Let’s leave it there.”
“I know.” He holds out his arm, and Maddie is quick to step into her brother’s fierce, protective hold. “I’m sorry, Madeline. I’m pretty sure I was close to having a heart attack.”
“Oh no.” Maddie pulls back quickly.
“Are you going to be sick?” Worry crosses his face.
“No. But I can’t get you sick. What if I’m contagious? You have practice tomorrow and a game on Thursday.”
He reaches out and pulls her into another hug. “Having my sister tight in my arms with a fucking lunatic on the loose is the only thing keeping me sane right now. I don’t give a shit if I get sick.”
I swallow hard.
Amen to that.
Three hours later and Matteo has finally given me an update that they’re onto the guy, and it shouldn’t be long before they get him.
My shoulders loosen, just barely. A thin thread of tension finally slips free, though the knot in my chest is still very much intact.
Across the room, Maddie is sitting on the floor with Adelaide, completely absorbed in Skye and the still unnamed puppy tumbling between them.
I don’t have the heart to disturb the moment.
Color has finally returned to her face, and for the first time all morning, she looks lighter. The distraction of the puppy couldn’t have come at a better time.
Good.
I don’t want her carrying another ounce of stress until we have real answers.
I text Matteo’s update on the brothers’ chat, including Mase, knowing all their phones will be on silent.
Seb sees it first and gives a nod of affirmation.
Matteo’s cousins won’t give him mercy, and we’ll get the answers we need. We all know what’s implied if you involve the extended Moretti family.
I lift my drink, the second one I probably shouldn’t be having, to my lips and take in the view around me.
My brothers.
My girl.
Our dogs.
Even with the storm surrounding us, I still feel stupidly lucky.
To have a family that would drop everything to be by your side, no matter the circumstance, no matter the time, is a luxury I sometimes take for granted.
My favorite people in the whole world are all in one room, and I love them to death.
