Page 127 of Luca
Tyran wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and Kyran did the same, both sandwiching me between their big bodies. I groaned softly.
“You’re smothering me,” I complained.
“We can’t help it. You’re our baby sister.”
Thick emotions swallowed me, making it harder to breathe and to think. But I needed a clear head right now. Nonno warned me that Marchetti might need confirmation from me on the arrangement Luca had made with him to save my life when I so cluelessly wandered into the country that had it out for the Callahans.
Hindsight.
The look Nonno gave me when I left him felt like a knife piercing through my heart. He didn’t ask me what I’d do. He didn’t ask whether I’d reinforce the agreement of my daughter’s marriage to Marchetti’s son.
I think he feared the answer.
We didn’t have time for the past, nor pondering on what ifs. I’d save Luca, then figure out where to go from there.
“So who’s staying and watching over your favorite niece?” I asked, glancing back at my daughter who still slept soundly with a small smile on her lips. Her dark curls cascaded down her face, hindering one side.
My brothers followed my gaze and instantly their expressions softened.
“Ugh, fight Italians or watch our niece. That’s a tough call,” Kyran declared, smiling. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what he would choose.
Tyran punched him in the shoulder. “It’s a fucking no brainer.” The twins shared a look and grinned. “We’ll take niece duty.” Then as if he couldn’t resist, he flicked a gaze at Aiden. “Our big brother is scared of diapers.”
Aiden narrowed his eyes on him. “She’s out of diapers, you–”
He couldn’t come up with the adequate word for Tyran so he just groaned and shook his head as if he attempted to convince himself the two of them were not worth him getting riled up.
So Aiden switched into leader mode instead.
“Okay, you two keep our niece safe. At all costs.” He turned to me. “You and I will get your husband out.” I nodded. His eyes narrowed on me. “And then, we’re going home. No more hiding, Sister.”
I nodded.
Tyran slid into the back seat, sitting next to little Penelope while Kyran sat behind the wheel, ready to get us out of here. I didn’t worry about my daughter waking up to their faces. I’d shared their pictures with her. She knew them by heart.
Although the real thing was quite different from pictures. I couldn’t take her with me so this was the next best thing.
Aiden led me inside, but before we entered, I tugged his sleeve. “Won’t we be attacked the moment we enter?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “I cleared out the entire first and second floor.”
“How did you get access to it?” I whispered.
He grinned. “I’m good with the ladies,” he answered, which of course was no answer at all.
“I don’t want to know,” I muttered. “I swear, Aiden, some things never change.”
He let out a soft chuckle.
“It’s good to have you back, Sis.”
“You too.” My eyes searched the main area. “Now, let’s get my husband back.”
We slowly and cautiously moved through the first floor. The dark oak floor creaked with each step, causing my heart to thunder wildly in my chest. Getting caught wasn’t an option. We passed a sitting area with lime green carpet and ugly chairs. Bodies piled up in the corner and I shook my head.
“Your doing?” I whispered.
Aiden looked unapologetic. Not that I thought he was in the wrong, but at least I tried to keep my murder count in the low digits.
