Page 12 of The Devil's Demise

“Damn. It’s like that?”

“Yeah,” Matteo throws in, his footsteps getting closer. “It’s like that.”

Aida is all smiles beside him, both of them with huge bags in hand. Cecilia, their daughter, runs up to me, and I kneel so she can jump right into my arms. She’s only two, and the cutest little thing with her big hazel eyes.

“Hey, pretty girl,” I tell her, giving her a tender kiss on her cheek and rolling a hand down her long brown hair.

The boys jump all over Matteo like maniacs, and Matteo flips Frankie upside down while Gianni wraps his arms around his thigh.

“Aida.” I go to her, embracing her in a tight hug. “I’m so happy you guys were able to cut your trip a little shorter. This means so much to us.”

“We’d never miss it. We’re both so happy for you.” She pulls back just as Raquel comes out of the house, after having to use the ladies’ room for the hundredth time.

Her hand rests on that round belly, where her son is quite comfortable. Four-year-old Carnelia, her daughter, runs past her mother, her black hair twirling in the wind as she hops off to be with her cousins.

“Oh my God. There you are!” Raquel rushes over, but it’s more like waddling. She’s due any day now, so her running days have been numbered.

“How’s little Tristen doing?” Aida asks as they hug.

She huffs. “Destroying my damn bladder. I swear he’s trying to kill me in there.” Her head shakes, her brows arching. “How he still has room to kick his mother all day, I don’t know.”

“Oh, yeah. I remember when Cecilia did the same. I could barely sleep those last few weeks. You’re due in three days, right?”

“Yes, and I swear if this child is late, I’m pulling him out myself.”

We all laugh, and then more people arrive. This time, it’s Enzo and Jade, with Robby and Lauralyn with them. Their little girl is three and is Jade’s replica down to her eyes.

I still can’t believe Robby’s twelve now. He’s come a long way since the torture my family has put him through. In fact, Aida and Jade have put the past as far behind them as they can.

Jade has started a center for trafficked women, and with her guidance, that place has been a refuge for many women. It’s thanks to her that Aida has gotten through her issues. She was one of the first people Jade helped. After the center opened, Aida continued to attend the meetings, and even assisted Jade with organizing events, and later on, began helping women at the center too.

“Hey, favorite uncle in the house!” Enzo calls, rolling up his sleeves as Jade walks up, embracing each of us.

Dante scoffs, getting off his seat and walking over to Enzo. “Sorry, bro. I’ve got news for you. Matteo here has been given that title.”

Matteo shrugs, flipping his hands in the air, a huge smirk on his face as he hands all the kids presents that he and Aida brought from Portugal.

Lauralyn peers up at her father, batting her long lashes, a smile perched on her little mouth.

He jokingly huffs and rolls his eyes. “Go. Get your gift.”

“Yay!” Lauralyn claps, running to Matteo and giving him a huge hug.

“This is war,” Enzo calls to his brother. “And I play dirty.” He rubs his palms, his gaze narrowing playfully.

“Bring it,” Matteo throws back, his brows swinging up and down. “’Cause I do too.”

Dom’s shaking his head as he looks on to see what the kids are getting. There are dolls and cars and gadgets of all kinds.

“Did you guys buy the whole store?” I ask with laughter flitting my tone, loving that they enjoy spoiling our children.

“More or less.” Matteo grins as the kids excitedly open everything.

“Okay, the very pregnant lady’s gotta sit.” Raquel shuffles on her feet.

Dante’s suddenly beside her. “Shit. Come on, baby.”

He curls an arm around her hip, leading her to one of the chairs as the ladies and I follow, and he helps her settle down.

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