Page 21 of Bound to the Mafia Guard

With Rowan…it was not a job. It never was.

Knowing that I had a team of three stationed around the store and at both exits, I allowed myself to relax and enjoy my time with Rowan.

He started first in the history section. Already he had a basket full of books he was considering.

“I won’t get them all,” he told me.

My lips pinched as I tried to suppress my grin. “Of course not.” I knew each and every one of those books—and whatever else he found—would end up back at our home.

Rowan stuck his tongue out at me, then placed one last book into the basket.

His brow furrowed slightly as he considered where to go next. “Oh! They have a whole dark mafia section!”

I followed behind him, more like a puppy dog than a bodyguard at this moment, but I didn’t care. My mate was happy, and I was happy.

We spent a lot of time at the bookstore, and we came home with nearly half of it. Rowan had new books related to his studies, books to read for fun, and even books he planned to give as gifts.

We barely had time to drop them in our room before it was time to go down for dinner.

The dining room was set up for a feast. The table was decorated with white linen, and elaborate fresh flowers adorned the center.

“There you are,” Andro said. “We were beginning to think you’d gotten lost amongst the stacks.”

Rowan beamed with delight. “I went overboard. I couldn’t help it.”

I held out his chair, and he sat.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Joey sat to Andro’s right, while Louie and Connor were on Andro’s left.

Orsino and Ethan were across from Rowan and me.

“No Jeremiah tonight?” Louie asked.

“One of the twins has a fever, so they are staying home.”

“Probably teething,” Joey said. “Theo always spiked a fever and got an ear infection while he was teething. It was the worst. I”m not looking forward to that phase again.” Joey’s eyes went wide, and he clapped a hand over his mouth. “Oops.”

Andro chuckled. “Relax, love. We planned on sharing our good news tonight.”

Rowan grasped my hand under the table.

“You’re expecting?” Connor shouted as if they were across the room rather than across the table.

“Yes. We are.”

Rowan’s grip on my hand tightened, and he vibrated with excitement. “That’s so exciting. Congratulations!” His voice was warm, filled with genuine happiness. His gaze turned to me, and it was as if our future flashed in front of my eyes.

Would we be making a similar announcement soon? Happiness for my friend, and also for my own future, bubbled out of me, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.

“Congratulations, Andro. And Joey, of course.” I lifted my glass in a toast.

The others followed suit.

Throughout dinner Rowan held my hand tightly.

“Rowan.” Andro’s voice boomed, startling Rowan slightly. “How are your classes going? Are you enjoying being back at school.”

“Yeah, it’s been nice. Today I found a few different books that will help with my thesis. I know I could find them online, but there’s just something different about holding a physical book, you know?”

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