Page 21 of Orlando

“Tell me how to do it. I’ll go do it,” he says.

I blink at him and then it hits me. Orlando is here. Sebastian is here. Does he know?

“Aleeka, we’ll talk about this later. Tell me how to make his bottle,” Orlando says, drawing my attention back to him.

“The formula is on the counter. Three scoops. You have to warm up the water, but not too hot,” I tell him.

“Okay. I got this. Stay still. Doc will be here real soon,” he says before he stands and walks out of the room.

Dante is leaning up against the door, glaring at me. He’s not impressed. And I don’t blame him.

Josie continues to bounce Sebastian in her arms. “He’s adorable, Aleeka,” she says, and Dante scoffs.

“Thank you. I’ll take him.” I try to sit up, wincing when every muscle in my body aches with the movement.

“I think you probably shouldn’t. Maybe let the doctor check you out first. What if he catches whatever you have?” Josie cautions. I understand what she’s saying, but all I hear is that she’s refusing to give me my son.

“No, he’s mine. You need to give him to me.” Just as I twist around on the bed, attempting to climb off, Orlando walks back into the room with the bottle.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“You can’t take him from me. He’s mine. Please. I need him.” I try to push myself up again.

“No one is taking him from you, Aleeka. Now, lie down,” Orlando says. He reaches for my legs and effortlessly moves my body around so I’m back on the bed. “Check this. Is it warm enough?” He squirts some of the formula onto my hand.

“It’s good.” I nod. “I’ll give it to him. Just bring him here.”

I watch as Orlando walks over to Josie and takes Sebastian out of her arms. He looks down at our son for a minute before he walks back to the bed. He doesn’t hand me Sebastian, though. No, Orlando sits on the other side of the bed with our son in his arms.

I watch as he lays Sebastian across one arm and brings the bottle to his mouth with the other hand. My head is spinning. I’ve dreamed of seeing Sebastian and Orlando together, but now that it’s happening, I don’t know how to feel. Or what to say.

“Can you two let the doc up when he arrives?” Orlando directs to Dante and Josie, who are staring at us with their eyes full of unspoken questions.

“Orlando…” Dante starts.

“Save it for later,” Orlando grunts.

With a nod, Dante takes Josie’s hand and they walk out of my bedroom. I turn back to look at Orlando. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“We’ll talk about it later,” he says, still staring down at Sebastian.

Chapter Fourteen

Ever felt like you were drowning with no way to reach the surface? That’s what I’m feeling right now. My head is spinning, my mind going a thousand miles a minute. My heart beating out of control. I use everything I’ve ever been taught from my family to keep my exterior calm, though.

Never let them see you sweat.The words of my nonno echo in my head. The last thing Aleeka needs right now is to think I’m not in control of the situation.

The doc will be here soon. He’ll fix her right up, whatever the hell is wrong with her. I glance in her direction. She’s shivering. I want to wrap my arms around her, but then I’d have to puthimdown, and I can’t do that. The elephant in the room. The innocent baby I’m currently holding and feeding a bottle of milk to, as if I’ve done this a million times before. I have no fucking idea what I’m doing. What I do know is that I will do anything for this kid.

That was my first thought when I saw him.

I had to protect him at all costs. And it’s that thought that has me trying to keep calm and not lose my shit on Aleeka right now. She’s been hiding him. I want to ask her why. I have so many fucking questions, but now isn’t the time. I know he’s mine. There is no question about it.

Aleeka and I didn’t date for long. And we only slept together once, but I would have thought she’d know she could come to me with this. I would have helped her. I would have been there for her. Instead, she’s been doing it on her own.

Would she have ever told me? If Josie hadn’t mentioned that Aleeka was sick and needed help, would I have found out I have a son?

“Orlando, please don’t take him from me. I know I should have told you. I know, and I’m so sorry,” Aleeka whispers from where she’s curled up beside me.

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