Page 29 of The Mobster’s Present

For a moment, all I can do is watch her. My fingertips gently graze a few of her strawberry blonde tendrils as I brush them away from her face.

Angelo is going to fall in love with her, so is Dove.

Hell, Dove already sent me photos of her princess closet in the new house. It’ll be ready for us to move in when we head back home, and I hope that my girls love it and feel comfortable.

That’s all I want.

When I’m able to tear myself away from Oriana, I move next to Ashleigh and wrap my arm around her waist to tuck her into my side. The movement is natural and feels right, like I’ve been doing it my entire life.

It’s strange, considering I don’t normally let women close. Not like this. I was never a man who was without companionship when I desired it, but I never wanted to touch them just to make sure that they’re still there. I never found myself reaching for them.

With Ashleigh everything is different.

Carlotta steps away and checks Oriana over, something she does every time she steps into the room. She’s always professional and straight forward which eases some of my worry when I don’t have my eyes on my daughter.

If I’m anxious about it, considering I’m not one to worry about such things, I can only imagine how Ashleigh feels. I’m in awe of my woman and her strength.

“You’re so good with her,” Ashleigh’s voice is soft as she looks up at me with so many emotions swimming in her eyes.

“She’s easy to be good with.” I smile softly before pressing a kiss to her temple. “She decided that I’m safe and is open with me.”

“Would you give up if she wasn’t?” Her question is laced with vulnerability.

Even though the question matters, something inside my chest relaxes because she’s opening up to me about her real fears and worries.

“I’d never give up,” I tell her seriously.

And I wouldn’t.

She looks at me like it’s the answer she was expecting. Even though she tries to hide it, I can see the satisfaction in her eyes.

“Everything is ready in Seattle,” I tell her. “Angelo, Dove, and Oaklynn have been working together to put together the best team possible. Carlotta has been included in the planning and ensuring that the house is ready for anything Oriana might need, including any complications that could happen.”

“They work fast,” she marvels.

“Money helps.”

“Of course it does,” her words are filled with amusement as she shakes her head the movement filled with self-deprecation.

“You know,” her voice softens, “you bring a lot more than money to the table.”

Her words make me pause as I study her face. She’s looking at me with affection that she’s not trying to mask.

My fingers tighten on her hip. “Everyone on the team waiting for us in Seattle agree with the treatment Oriana has gotten so far. They’re all very optimistic that she’s going to move through the treatment phases without an issue.”

Ashleigh’s gaze drifts toward Oriana. “You’ve really taken on being the only father she’s ever known.” There’s a note of acceptance in her tone that has me standing a little taller. “I walked into Second Circle hoping to ease some of the financial burden, while bracing for a beating and distrust.” Her blue eyes sparkle. “Instead, I found you.”

“And I found you,” my voice is husky.

I lean down intending to kiss her softly and quickly. The second our lips touch, the fire that is always smoldering for my woman flares back to life.

It’s a struggle, but I force myself to pull away. Her fingers curl into the fabric of my clothes as she looks at me with half-lidded eyes.

“We should head back to the hotel.”

It’s the first time she’s offered to go to the hotel, and it throws me off my game. For all of five seconds.

When I look over, Carlotta is already waving with a reassuring look on her face before she settles into the chair next to the bed. Her voice is gentle, “I’ve got the little miss for tonight. You go and get some sleep.”