Page 204 of Syndicate of Sin Bundle

After pulling her into another tight hug, I wiped my tears before Constantino could spot them from across the store. “Have you told Constantino yet?” I asked, looping my arm around hers and resting my head on her shoulder as we walked down the aisle.

“Not yet.”

“You should tell him over dinner,” I said. “He’s been wanting to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“About you being in our family.”

She paused and stared up at me in horror. “Does he not want me to—”

“Of course he does!” I exclaimed. “But ever since you left for Italy without telling him, he’s been distant. Something has been bothering him. I’m sure you could tell after you moved in with us.”

She nodded. “I thought that was how he was to live with.”

“No,” I said. “So, I conveniently booked some events for the gala that I need to take care of tonight, so you and he can go out to dinner and talk things through. He will be so fucking happy for you too.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. “I’m sorta nervous.”

When we caught back up to Constantino, who leaned against the cart with his sleeves rolled up his forearms and his phone to his ear, I plucked the device from him, ended the call, and crossed my arms over my belly.

“I forgot to tell you,” I said, taking Sage’s hand. “You and Sage have to get dinner alone tonight. I have a … meeting with a couple of people about the gala that we pushed back. You know, important stuff.”

“And you had to shut off my call with Riccardo to tell me this?” he asked, brow arched.

“Yes, because you promised that you wouldn’t work today,” I said.

He brought my hand that held his phone up to his lips and kissed it softly. “Sorry, doll. I have a lot to tie up after Bethany and Poppy.”

Sage shyly peered over my shoulder at him. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it, Sage,” he said, offering her a small smile.

I nudged her, just wanting her to tell him right now. I couldn’t wait to see how excited he would be. But Sage didn’t say anything, and I didn’t want to force her. It was stressful enough, being in this family.

“Well, come on then,” I said, dragging them along. “We have shopping to do.”

For two babies now.

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“No wine,” I said, shaking my head at the waiter who had offered me a glass of Afterglow for the fifth time tonight.

If he kept coming over and I kept refusing, Constantino would know that something was up before I told him.

Laila had ushered us out of the house in a very obvious production fifty minutes ago. And while Constantino kept up the nice small talk, he still seemed as distant as he had after we left Italy a couple of weeks ago.

“So,” I finally said, nerves bubbling up inside me, “are you excited?”

“About?”

“The baby.”

Constantino smiled. “I am.”

“I know that Laila wants more kids after this one,” I whispered, cutting my steak and avoiding eye contact with him. “But do you? You seemed a bit distracted while we shopped for baby clothes today.”

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