Page 41 of Massimo

He hisses a breath. "You, too. You still going to Catanzaro in two days?"

"I have to," I force out through clenched teeth. "They won't push the meeting back again."

You don't just skip these meetings, and I need to go to make my case for the reversal of the vote that's staying my hand from putting Mancini into the ground in small pieces.

"I'm leaving Gabe behind, though."

"No fucking way, Mass."

I crest the top of the stairs and walk toward Nova's bedroom.

Other than Vito, Gabe is the one I trust most to protect my back, but he's also the one I trust the most to protect my family…and Nova.

He needs to stay behind.

"Don't worry, Vito, I'll still take enough of a guard detail. But Gabe will protect the family if Ivan and Sean decide to do something stupid in my absence. Plus, no one outside of us and the Chamber leaders knowI'll be gone for a few days, so Gabe being seen around the city will cover my absence."

"I'll come with you, then."

"Aren't you going under the knife tomorrow?" I remind him.

The unhinged crazy bastard is getting a vasectomy to remove any chance that Eden could get pregnant. I don't know all the details, but I know that something happened to her, and even if there was a minuscule chance of her getting pregnant, she'd inevitably miscarry and lose the child.

I can't imagine choosing not to be a father, and Creed is the same way. But Vito is cut from a different cloth—he's never had any desire to have children.

I stop outside Nova's bedroom door and nod at Max, letting him know he can leave.

He inclines his chin, then turns on his heel and walks away.

Vito huffs at my reminder, and I let my emotions sound through in my tone. "I appreciate it, brother, but you take care of Eden and what you need to do."

"Mass…"

"Honestly," I reassure him. "I won't be gone for more than a few days, andZioMarco is a pro at planning the travel to fly under the radar." I clear my throat, staring at Nova's bedroom door. The pull of her is unlike anything I've experienced before. "Go back to whatever you were doing. I'll talk to you tomorrow after you've had your nuts snipped."

He laughs. "Look at you, you grumpy motherfucker, making a joke."

"Wonders never cease, right?"

Vito laughs again but quickly sobers. "Stay safe, brother."

"You, too. Goodnight."

I pocket my phone and use my master key to unlock the bedroom door.

The bedroom is faintly lit by the ensuite light seeping through the partially closed door. I make a note to find a better nightlight for Nova.

Closing the door quietly, I unbutton my suit jacket and shrug out of it. Folding it neatly, I lay it over the chair by the window. Nova's small formis huddled under the thick blankets, and her soft breathing is rhythmic and peaceful.

I intended only to sit in the chair to watch her while she slept, protecting her from the shadows. But seeing her and being so close to her has me making other plans. I remove my shoes, pull back the comforter, and slip into bed.

Even though I'm clothed, I know I'm crossing a boundary. But I can't ignore my need to hold her close while she sleeps.

Laying on my side, I wrap my arm over her waist and pull her back to my front. Her small body stiffens, even though I know she still sleeps.

"Shh, princess," I whisper into her hair. "It's just me, Nova." I gently move her hair from the side of her neck and press a chaste kiss to her skin.

She makes a soft noise, then eases against me.

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