Page 11 of Ruthless Rival

I headed back to the lobby, my mind lingering on her lips and her undeniable charm. She could probably get anything she wanted out of anyone. I took a seat and sank into my thoughts, waiting to hear news about my angel and her baby on the way.

I now remembered something as I sat with nothing to do. I’d thought Sienna and I would be together until we were buried side by side. We were so young and in love, completely inseparable. However, I didn’t have a safe, peaceful life. I wondered if she ever expected her fate. There were moments in our past where I believed she did.

Years and years ago, when we took a walk together around a nice, vibrant park in town, she took my hand and led me to a bench. We sat down, our shoulders pressing together like we couldn’t stand an inch of space separating us.

“It’s so beautiful today.” She sighed happily, as she gazed up at the sky, sunlight gleaming in her eyes.

“See any angels?” I teased her.

Sienna laughed. “If I become one before you, you better choose your next wife wisely,” she replied as she looked over at me with gleaming, playful eyes.

I scoffed and shook my head, not even wanting to think about that.

“I’m serious,” Sienna said as she took my hand in both of hers. “If you look into someone’s eyes and feel your heart racing like it is now, don’t let her go. Go for her and be happy. That’s all I want for you.”

I peered at her with a softening expression, wondering why we were having this moment right now. She was the one for me, the one I’d grow old with. “All I want is you. Don’t say silly things like that.” I chuckled before pulling her off the bench to continue our walk.

It was so easy to slip deep into memories, to get stuck in the past while hiding from the present. However, I had felt breathless and my heart had raced when I ran into Gabriela Mora again. No woman had caused this reaction in me.

Soon, Marco, Adriano, and Lorenzo took seats on either side of me with their women and kids in tow.

At least, I wasn’t sitting alone now. I couldn’t help but think that Sienna was here with us in a way. Part of her remained in these kids and grandkids. She would forever be part of our family and she would’ve been so proud of our children.

At a point, I became too impatient and on edge, so I started to pace around the lobby, peering down the hallways to look for the nurse. It had been a while, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the worst had happened. Did Alessia succumb to the same fate as my beautiful wife? After all, she was having this baby a month earlier than any of us had expected.

Right before I stalked off to demand news, a nurse walked into the lobby and approached my family. “We have a baby!” she announced. “Mama is ready to see you.”

I led my family down the hallway to Alessia’s suite, needing to make sure she and her child were actually okay. I had to see it with my own eyes. When I stepped into the room, I paused, seeing Alessia, Michael, and the baby huddled together in a picture perfect moment.

“Papà, come meet Gemma!” Alessia invited me with a proud smile. “Look at how beautiful she is.”

I smiled and walked over to my daughter, who even looked beautiful when she was exhausted. I cupped the back of her head and kissed her forehead before accepting my new grandchild into my arms. “Perfection,” I murmured as I stared down at Gemma and her big, grey eyes. She had the family nose. I hoped she had the family spirit as well. “You did so well, angioletta.”

Alessia watched me with glistening eyes.

I walked toward the window, leaning close to the glass so Gemma could take a glimpse at the world that awaited her. However, she stared up at me instead and I felt my throat tighten. She was a gift, a silver lining in these dark times.

I finally allowed Lorenzo to hold his niece, breaking away from my granddaughter. She had Alessia’s beauty and I felt confident she would have her mother and father’s strength as well. I patted Michael on the shoulder and shook his hand. “Congratulations,” I told him.

“Thank you, Mr. Mancini,” Michael replied with a firm nod.

I turned back to Alessia and looked at all of the machines she was hooked up to, trying to figure out if the numbers on the monitor were good or bad. The color of her skin was vibrant and glowing. She seemed happy and focused. I figured that was a good sign, but I wasn’t a doctor. What did I know?

“I’m fine, Papà. You don’t have to worry,” Alessia promised me, already aware of what I was doing.

“I will always worry. When I heard you were having her early, I admit my anxiety was at a high level.” I sighed as I gently took her hand.

Alessia’s face softened as she nodded. “I was scared too. I panicked a bit knowing she was coming early, but as you can see, she is fine. I knew what happened to Ma could’ve happened to me,” she confessed. “I worry every single time a baby is expected in our family.”

“You did it, Alessia,” I told her as I gave her hand a squeeze. “Everything will be okay.”

Alessia smiled gratefully before a yawn broke from her. She nestled herself into her pillow like she did when she was a little girl.

I took this as my cue to leave and let her rest. She had a long day. “Get some rest. I’m here if you need me,” I reminded her.

“I’ll watch over her,” Michael assured me.

“I know you will,” I replied as my eyes lingered on my family. I felt wary about leaving, but I had a date with a perplexing but sexy woman to get ready for tonight.

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