“I’m just trying to find out about Isla and the baby. If she’s struggling, I want to know in what ways so I can helpher and the baby,” Padre replied. “No grandchild of mine will live in squalor.”
“Yes, I understand. But Ciro needs to figure this out. It’s his child. Give him a chance.” Roman became my hero.
“Fine. Where do you think she’ll be most comfortable, your suite or in the guest wing?” Padre asked.
I lowered my gaze to the polished wooden floors. Isla staying anywhere without me didn’t feel right. “I don’t know.” But in my room? That didn’t feel right either.
“Then ask her,” Rosa said. “I need to know where to put all the baby gear.”
“Baby gear?”
My sister sighed. “Crib, toys, blankets… Do you not know what a baby needs?”
I dragged my hand along my scruffy jaw. “I guess I don’t. Isla didn’t have a lot of stuff for the baby.” Dammit, I shouldn’t have said that either.
“I cannot take this anymore. I want to talk to Isla and find out how she’s doing myself. The way you’re talking, it sounds like they’re living in a homeless shelter.” Rosa rubbed her round belly as a tear rolled down her cheek.
“Poverty,” Padre hissed through clenched teeth.
“Can you all just trust me?” I asked, pleadingly. My sister wasn’t usually so pushy. She was refined with a calm nature. This mama bear side must have been induced by pregnancy hormones.
“I’m sorry, Ciro, but I want to talk to her.” I knew she’d stand firm in her resolve. I was just grateful she didn’t push flying out tonight too. In her current state, I doubted Wolf would’ve allowed it, so I’d compromise with her to help ease her mind.
“Fine… But not today.”
“Just go back and make her come,” Padre said.
“At least tell her we would love for her to bring the baby so we can meet her.” Rosa patted our father’s knee to keep him calm.
“I can’t risk upsetting Isla. She feels awful about keeping the baby a secret. Anyway, she’s probably in bed. She starts work early tomorrow and won’t be off until five.”
Rosa looked heartbroken. “She should be with the baby.”
“I agree. But Isla doesn’t want to leave her boss shorthanded.” I wanted this conversation to be over. I’d had enough of my family’s questions.
“So she’ll quit her job? Then what?” Luca asked, joining back into the conversation.
All this time, Wolf and Roman had been quietly listening. I expected as much since this wasn’t about the family’s business. This was my personal affairs, which neither would interfere in.
“I don’t have an answer for you, Luca. Isla wasn’t sure about quitting her job because there’s a lot to still figure out with Pippa and us.”
“That’s utter bullshit.” He stood and faced me. “We all loved Isla. We thought she was the one. We took her into our family, then you pushed her away.”
“I know what I did!” I hated being reminded of my stupidity. I lived with it, for fuck’s sake.
“Do you?” Luca glared, almost seething. “Do you really understand the depth of her pain? She was pregnant. She went through it all by herself, because you know her mom and sister wouldn’t have been there for her. And from what you said, or didn’t say, she’s poor!”
“Goddammit! I know!” I could beat the shit out of the little prick for blowing this up more than necessary. I wouldmake sure Isla and Pippa had everything they needed and more. He didn’t need to be up my ass about it.
“I don’t think you do, brother. That woman would’ve done anything for you. She loved you beyond what you deserved after the way you treated her. You really must have done a number on her if she didn’t reach out to the rest of us for help!” He ran his fingers through his hair, the pain in his eyes palpable.
I lost it.
I grabbed Luca by the collar of his shirt, ready to beat the crap out of him. “Shut the fuck up! You don’t know shit about Isla and me.”
“What are you going to do? Punch me?” he growled. “Go for it, big brother. I can take you!”
“Abbastanza!” my father shoutedenoughin Italian and pointed at us. “Voi due mi imbarazzate.” He went on telling us we embarrassed him.
