She stretched out and sighed happily. This was like sleeping on a cloud. “It’s so comfortable.” Alessia covered her mouth when she yawned widely.
“Someone else needs to check this out with you,” Titus said.
“You?” she asked, scooting over so he could join her.
“That’s a really good idea for another day. I was thinking of Hopper. Would he’d like to be here too?”
Instantly, Alessia regretted not remembering her stuffie. Hopper always slept with her. Having her stuffie in bed had embarrassed her at first, but her Daddy had welcomed Hopper. Some mornings, she woke up with Hopper cuddled up to Titus between them. To her delight, Titus hadn’t cared a bit. He simply kissed her first and then fist-bumped with Hopper.
“I’ll go get him,” Titus said.
“Don’t tell him I forgot him.”
“My lips are sealed.”
Titus returned in a flash with Hopper riding on his shoulder. He ducked down low, so he didn’t bash the bunny’s headon the doorframe. Alessia giggled at her Daddy’s silliness. She held out her arms for her stuffie.
“Hi, Hopper. Do you like my new bed?” she asked, hugging the sweet rabbit close.
Titus pressed a hand on the headboard, and a wooden railing rose between them. “I didn’t share with you that this bed is special. The crib can sense when Little girls are tired and raise a safety guard, so you don’t fall.”
“How do I get out?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.
“Everything is automatic. If you’re still awake in ten minutes, the protective barrier will lower. How about if I tell you a story while we wait?”
“That’s weird, but okay.” Alessia turned on her side to face him and snuggled into her pillow. Another enormous yawn stretched her mouth.
Titus tucked the covers under her chin and smoothed her hair back from her face. “Close your eyes, Little mate.” When she followed his directions, he began his story.
“Once upon a time, a beautiful woman named Alessia lived a solitary life. Although she was as sweet as honey and absolutely lovely inside and out, the townsfolk didn’t spend time with her because they feared her family. One day, she ventured into a club and met a dashing bartender who immediately claimed her as his own. He took her home and treated her like the princess she was. He even built her a special bed that cradled her body in pure comfort.”
His voice got softer as Alessia listened. She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled Hopper closer. Torn between wanting to hear the end of the story and the exhaustion that draped over her like the soft comforter, Alessia struggled to stay awake.
Sleepiness won.
Chapter
Eleven
On Wednesday, they headed to visit Marcus and Carina. Titus parked at the front of a home several blocks away from his own. She could walk or run there to visit Carina in the future. She shook her head sadly. Would she ever be safe enough to move around the city on her own? She definitely didn’t want to be used against Titus. Enzo would jump at the opportunity to leverage her as a pawn.
“Are you ready to have some fun with Carina?” Titus asked her.
“Yes, Daddy. Thank you for bringing me. What are you going to do while I’m playing?”
“Marcus and I will come up with something to occupy our time,” he said with a strange grin. She didn’t have a clue what that expression meant. Maybe she’d missed an inside joke?
Carina dashed outside, followed by Marcus, grabbing Alessia’s attention. Alessia reached for the handle and froze when Titus growled, “No way, Little mate. I will come open your door.”
She leaned back in her seat dramatically. “No one’s going to grab me here.”
“You don’t know that. Daddy’s in charge of the doors.”
“Fine.” She glared at him as he slowly exited and wandered around the car. Titus called a greeting to the two who waited on the porch, and they responded eagerly. Alessia noticed Marcus held Carina’s hand securely. Maybe all Daddies were super protective.
She bounced out of the car when Titus finally opened the door. He held her hand and escorted her up the stairs. “Hi, Carina. Marcus,” she greeted them. “Your home is lovely.”
“Thank you, Alessia. We’re glad you came to visit,” Marcus said, releasing his grip on Carina.
