Pippa squirmed just as eager as her mother. I lowered her onto Isla’s lap; fearful the baby would accidentally kick her fractured ribs. But Isla didn’t seem to care. She hugged and kissed Pippa, while sobbing.
The sight of them together nearly shattered me.
Alba stood with her hands steepled at her mouth, crying tears of relief and joy.
“Oh, my baby. I’ve missed you so much. So, so much.” She cradled her and tried to lift her shirt. “When did she last eat?”
“I don’t think it matters, My-la. She needs you.”
Isla looked at me and held my gaze for a long beat. It was like she hadn’t noticed me until this second. “You’re right. Alba, help me, please.”
“Of course.” Alba helped Isla to roll on her side, so the baby wasn’t on her.
Pippa curled toward her momma and latched on. The relief on Isla’s face showed all was right in her world, and I felt tremendous remorse for putting them both through hell.
I dropped my head. “I’m sorry. I know you must be furious. After everything you went through because of me.”
“I’m not angry.” She gazed up at me. “I’m actually not sure what I’m feeling.”
“You have every right to be angry.” I kneeled beside her to get on her level.
“As do you. I put Pippa in danger leaving the hotel and taking her home to the apartment. Roy wouldn’t have gotten to me if I’d stayed like you wanted me to.”
“You should always be safe in your own home. That asshole trespassed and assaulted you. He broke the law.” I ran my finger down the curve of her jaw, needing to touch her. If Roy was alive, I would have killed him myself for hurting her. But the Bratva had gotten to him first for his fuck up.
“Still, in my hurt and anger, I left when I should’ve stayed at the hotel.”
“I won’t argue with you.” I smiled softly and kissed the tip of her nose, then placed a kiss on Pippa’s head.
“You should have called me like you promised.”
“You’re right. I should have called you.”
“What? My ears must be deceiving me. I thought I heard you say I was right. Maybe I’m tripping on pain meds,” she teased.
My heart swelled larger with love for her and our daughter.
“Stop staring. It’s rude.” She buried her face in the pillow.
“I can’t help myself.”
“My face is bad. I gave myself a fright when I was in the bathroom. I’ll probably scare Pippa.”
“Never. She’s going to be attached to you probably for the next week.”
“I’m fine with that.” She stroked the baby’s back. “I don’t think I’ll be able to let her out of my sight ever again.”
I glanced at Alba reading a book in the corner. She hid it well, but I knew she was listening and watching everything like the devoted friend she was to Isla. I wished I had an update on Paolo for her, but the last I heard, there was no change.
“Ciro?”
“Yes.” I turned back to Isla.
“Elsie is dead, isn’t she?” She stared into my eyes. Herquestion blindsided me. “That’s what I thought. Nobody has mentioned her. The last thing I remember is that she didn’t have a pulse after Roy knocked her into the wall.” Her tears resumed.
“I’m so sorry, baby. You’d been through so much, none of us wanted to add to your grieving.”
“It’s okay.” She sniffled. “You can go now.”
