Page 13 of His UnBearable Touch

Allegra coughed and pressed a hand to her chest as she struggled to swallow.

Taking her free hand, Natale pressed a small item into her palm. “A mint.”

Nodding, Allegra popped it in her mouth and then cleared her throat. “Those seats are only for members of the Orchestra’s biggest donors they’re not for sale like regular tickets.”

“Mm hmm.” It sounded like Natale closed the lipstick case and returned it to her bag. “Orsino Security’s Board of Directors are now all members of the Founder’s Circle.” Setting her hand on Allegra’s shoulder Natale’s laughter was soft, sympathetic. “It’s a little much, isn’t it?”

Allegra nodded. “It’s all so…”

“Overwhelming?”

“That’s one way to put it.”

“A little like a tidal wave?”

“Basically.”

“And you’re not sure if you know exactly what it is you got into?”

Allegra reached out for Natale and found their hands clasped together. “Is that how you felt when you met Salvatore?”

Natale pressed a friendly kiss on her cheek. “That, and then some. But while the rush might seem scary, you should know that there’s two things I’m sure about in the world.”

“Oh?” Allegra braced herself, her teeth biting into her lower lip.

“First, if Val says you’re the one… then you are.”

Allegra struggled to process the words through the rush of sound through her ears, from the accelerated pulse of her heart in her chest. Natale’s tone was sure, her voice was full of conviction about what she said.

It took her a minute to get up the courage to ask, “And the second?”

“The second,” Natale gave Allegra a one-armed hug, “is that you’re going to fit right in to this family. I’m glad he found you.”

Chapter Four

Valerio sat down on the edge of his bed and stared out at the city. He resisted the urge to pick up his keys and head back out again. He’d left Allegra at her apartment after checking all the rooms, testing the strength of the locks on the door and the security at the doorway of the building. He hadn’t wanted to leave her there any more than he wanted to leave, but unlike the way his brother met Natale, Valerio wasn’t hired to protect Allegra.

And, as far as he could see, Allegra’s brush with danger in the subway had only been the product of a careless man who was more of a mindless animal than he or his brothers ever could be.

Shaking his head, he stood and moved closer to the glass windows, watching the headlights down below tracing patterns around the buildings surrounding theirs.

Every night, since he’d come to America, knowing deep down inside him that his mate was alive and waiting in the city, he’d stood at this window searching the night sky. He knew that he wouldn’t find her with a neon sign blinking over her location, or some mystic divination over a map.

Strange that he’d found her under the city instead.

A knock sounded on his bedroom door. A quick indrawn breath was enough to know who was on the other side. “Come in.”

The soft click of heels across the hardwood floor made him smile. “I like to hear you walking around,” he smiled into the nearly-inky darkness, “for years it was just the three of us.”

Natale stepped up beside him and set her hand on the glass window. “I’m sure my steps aren’t exactly stealthy.”

He shrugged. “Better than three clumsy bears. You bring an element of grace into our lives.” He set his arm around her shoulders. “Salvatore would be lost without you.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I think the feeling is mutual. I know without him, this little one would certainly not be on the way.”

Valerio looked down and smiled at the way Natale smoothed her hands over her middle. “How are you feeling? Any odd cravings? Pain?”

Natale’s laugh made his smile broader. “Just the pain in the backside that your brother has become. I’m surprised he let me walk into the restaurant tonight.”

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