Page 326 of The Christmas Wife

Her gaze widens. "The Sovranos, as in, the Italian Mafia?"

"As in the Cosa Nostra," I nod.

Her eyes grow even bigger. "Aren’t they criminals, of sorts?" she whispers.

"Doesn’t everyone have skeletons in their closet?" I retort.

She flushes a little, glances away, then back at me. Huh? That was a guilty look, if ever there was one.

"You’re not good at hiding your thoughts, are you?"

Her cheeks grow brighter, if that’s possible. "It’s the curse of having such fair skin."

"Or a pure mind." I half-smile. "It’s okay to be innocent. In fact, it’s preferable one retains a core of innocence at heart. Just don’t be naive when it comes to making decisions, okay?"

She nods. "Thanks, Zara, I really appreciate you taking me under your wing."

"You’ve more than pulled your weight over the past few months on the campaign. Without your efforts, my husband couldn’t have been elected Prime Minister."

She hunches her shoulders. "Th-thank you so much."

"Raise your chin."

"Eh?" She blinks.

"Raise your chin, girl, and accept the praise. Own it like a mother—ducking—fitch." I stumble over my words. Guess Hunter’s not the only one who has to watch his language around the little ears.

Abby laughs. Then peeks down at the little bundle in my arms. "He’s sooo small."

"He didn’t feel that small when I pushed him out of my va—a—ah—ina. You know what I mean?"

"Jesus, that’s too much information," a new voice declares.

I glance up to see my brother inside the doorway. His familiar features wear an unfamiliar, uncomfortable expression.

"You’re perfectly aware of how the birthing process takes place," I scold him.

"Yes, but so far, births and anything to do with them have only been a concept. Just like the fact you’re a mother now is something I’m still getting my head around."

He walks over to stand on the side of the bed opposite Abby. In his hands, he’s holding one pink and one blue balloon, which say ‘baby boy’ and ‘baby girl,’ respectively.

"Covering all my bases," he explains to me, then glances down at the baby. "Wow, you really are a mom."

"And you’re an uncle."

Cade’s face lights up. He thrusts out his chest, pulls back his shoulders, and folds his arms across his chest. "I can’t wait to teach him how to play cricket."

"Would you like to hold him first?"

Cade looks alarmed. "Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Umm. He’s too fragile. Maybe when he’s a little older?" Then he takes a step back to punctuate his words. The balloons flutter above him. "I guess I should tie these somewhere?" He pivots and crosses the room to one of the chairs, then ties them to the back. Apparently, it’s going to take my brother a little longer to be completely comfortable with the idea of holding his nephew.

"Oh, now I realize what’s wrong, the pink says baby boy," Abby explains.

"I’m aware." Cade spins around, then walks back to take his place on the side of the bed opposite her; this time, putting more distance between the bed and himself.

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