Page 54 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

“Not exactly,” I muttered.

“Yes,” Luca answered when it wasn’t exactly necessary.

She leaned back and disappointment flashed on her face.

“What is it with you guys and forcing women to marry you?” she muttered.

“I don’t fucking know,” Luca answered with a grin. “But you can bet your ass I am not doing it. Doesn’t that make me your favorite brother?”

Bianca chuckled softly. “We shall see.” She turned her eyes my way and tilted her head. “Did it ever occur to any of you that maybe you could wine and dine the woman you want to marry? Take her on romantic dates, get on one knee, and propose. You know, give her a choice.”

Nico saved me from answering. “That takes too long, Cara Mia.” Her head whipped around and her smile turned soft, seeing her husband and twins come through the door.

“Uncle Cassio, Uncle Luca.” Our nieces both screamed in unison and ran to us.

I lifted them both into my arms. “What have you been eating?” I joked. “You grew another few inches. You’ll be taller than Luca and me.”

They both giggled and left me for Luca. They knew he always came prepared with toys. Freaking dude kept toys in the car since he found out we had nieces.Just in case, he would say.

Nico lifted his wife’s small body, sat down and placed Bianca on his lap, wrapping his arms around her and his hands on her thighs. That guy just couldn’t stop touching my sister!

“Hello, wife.”

She nuzzled into him, and the brotherly part of me wanted to punch Nico and demand he kept his hands to himself. But I knew it wouldn't work. Besides, Bianca was crazy about Nico and couldn’t keep her hands to herself either.

“Girls, how about I get some of your kisses?” Bianca complained through a smile on her face. “After all, Iamyour mother.” Both girls ran to her, gave her peck on the cheek and rushed back to Luca.

“Do you have something for us, Uncle?” Hannah questioned. It was hard to tell them apart though I was getting better at it.

“What?” Luca acted hurt. “I’m not a good enough present?” But he couldn’t keep his face straight with all their giggles. “Fine, I have something for you. It is in the car.”

Before Luca could get up, they took off. “We got it, Uncle Luca.”

And they left us like dust in the wind.

“You have to stop bringing presents every time you see them,” she scolded him. “They’ll expect it, and it is not right.”

Luca shrugged. “They can expect it, and they will get it.”

Bianca rolled her eyes. “Wait and see how expensive that gets.”

My lip twitched. Nico was one of the richest men in the States and she worried about money.

Bianca’s eyes returned my way. “Try asking her out, Cassio,” she tried again, reverting to our original topic. “Instead of forcing marriage like some other people I know.”

She gave her husband a pointed look.

“Once they’re married, Cassio can take her out on dates for the rest of his life,” Nico retorted. His hand came up to my sister’s belly and it confirmed my suspicion. “And charm her for the rest of her life. That wasmyplan.”

A giggle escaped her. “You guys are incorrigible,” she scolded. “I mean, look how horribly it went for Luciano. I hate to tell you, Nico, but it didn’t go that great for you either.” Bianca’s hands snaked inside her husband’s blazer. “Though I am happy now, it caused a lot of anguish and unnecessary doubt.” Bianca’s eyes came to me. “Does that make sense?”

“She wouldn’t marry me if she had a choice,” I admitted reluctantly. “The idea of being Mrs. King will sicken her.”

Bianca watched me curiously. “Why?”

“She hates all Kings,” I muttered. “Thanks to our dear father. And to make things even better, she was kidnapped and tortured when she was fourteen. It was orchestrated by Benito. Her memory has been wiped, but I’m positive it will come back.”

Bianca gasped and understanding passed her expression.

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