Page 78 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

My trip to Italy sort of proved to me that things could never work between us. She needs way more than I can give. What I need is to understand what went wrong with Symphony.

What am I doing that keeps triggering her and is it something I can fix? If I can answer that, I’ll be able to move on. I hated the way it felt to be questioned about my love life.

“You’re home, boss,” Massimo says, pulling me from my thoughts.

I look out the window at the house. It might be time for me to begin to look for my own home. Here at Uri’s, I have plenty of space to myself and I don’t have to see him and Valentina if I choose not to.

However, I’ve grown accustomed to being surrounded by family, I’m not sure if now is the time to part ways and be alone. I shake the thought off and get out of the car to head into the house. To my surprise, I find Uri and Val standing in my wing of the house, talking at the top of the stairs.

I pluck Vita from Uri’s arms and kiss her cheek, then toss her into the air. Her sweet baby giggles surround me, reminding me why I haven’t found a place of my own.

This house has been filled with baby Donati laughter now that my nephews have been born, and I wouldn’t want to miss any of it. I look at my brother and note the smile in his gaze. My heart swells for him.

After our childhood … after his childhood, it is good to see him happy like this, with a family of his own. I can only hope to have the same someday.

I turn for my room with a babbling Vita in my arms. I will have my evening snuggles with the little bella before I hand her off to her nanny. It has become our routine at least twice a week.

Vita loves Nico so much I have to build some type of bond to have a shot at being a favorite uncle. Although, I might have a better shot with Inzo and Nori. I chuckle tiredly at the thought.

“Hold on, where do you think you’re going?” Val calls after me as Uri blocks my retreat and takes Vita from my arms.

“Not tonight,” Uri croons with an amused look on his face.

I sigh and lean in to kiss Vita’s forehead. “Sorry,bella. Uncle Michael is too tired to fight them for you tonight. I will see youin the morning. We can have breakfast, and I will fill you up with sugar before I hand you back in the afternoon.”

I chuckle as Val glares at me and folds her arms over her chest. Uri shakes his head at me as Vita coos happily in his arms. We all know I would never do such a thing.

Not because I don’t want to torture her parents, but because I wouldn’t be able to stand my little bella with a tummy ache. I hate to see her in pain. God help her future boyfriends.

“Good night,” I call over my shoulder and throw my hand up in a wave as I walk away to my bedroom.

I begin to unbutton my shirt, eager to make it to my bed. It has been a long day. Between my thoughts and the excitement of Nico’s return to the soccer field and his win, I’m ready to fall on my face.

I enter my bedroom and note something is off. I pull my gun faster than I can think about the action. It’s almost second nature to me at this point.

“Don’t shoot. It is me, Symphony. Don’t shoot.”

I grunt tiredly and place the safety back on the weapon. Returning it to the holster, I then shrug the holster off to hang it. Slowly, my tired brain begins to catch up.

Just as slowly, I turn for the bed where Symphony is sitting in a white tank top and panties. At least, that’s what I can see in the dimly lit room. I shake my head as if she’s a dream.

“Sim?” I breathe.

“Yes?”

“You are here?” I say in Italian.

“Yes, but if you don’t want me here, I understand. I will leave and find one of the guest rooms to sleep in for the night. I can have my things sent back to Boston and I will return there.”

I make my way to the foot of the bed and stalk toward her until we are nose to nose. Not able to help myself, I peck her lips gently. Then I pull away and look into her eyes.

She tilts her head and studies me. I remain still as if not wanting to frighten a small bird. She gives me a small smile.

“I want you here. Don’t leave. If I do something to trigger you or if I hurt you in any way, I need you to tell me. Don’t run from me, tell me.”

She palms the side of my face. Confusion is painted all over her expression. I can’t breathe for fear this isn’t real, that she isn’t here.

“You have never hurt me. If anything, I feel safest when I’m with you.”

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