Page 42 of Secret Babies for the Italian Mafia Boss

“Why do I need that fortune when I have my own?” I lower my tone so no one else can hear me except Marco. “I remember you too, Mr. Delgado. I remember you putting men on their knees and shooting them in the head before they could beg for mercy. Do not try to condemn me for my actions when your actions have matched my own.”

“She’s different,” he says. “She deserves more than what her father did.”

“And I’m trying to give her that.”

He lets go of my hand, but it’s clear he doesn’t trust me.

Smart man. Men like us don’t trust. It would only leave us vulnerable to an enemy.

He turns around and gives Camilla a fake smile, but it’s passable as being real. “I have to go, Camilla. It was so good seeing you. Please, let’s not be strangers.” His eyes cut to me. “Nothing will stop me from seeing you.”

Ah, an unspoken threat. My favorite.

“I’d love to have a weekly lunch with you. Maybe we can plan. Here.” She scribbles on a notepad, and I’m instantly jealous, but I don’t show it. I have to remain calm, collected, and in control of my feelings.

She isn’t allowed to know how much I want her, not yet.

“I’ll call you, and we can set something up.” He takes the bag from her and kisses her cheek. “It was good seeing you.”

“You too,” she whispers, watching him walk out the door. She crosses her arms and pops her hip. “What was that about?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I take Marco’s spot in front of the counter, only I lean in again. I happen to like this position. I’m able to invade her space and make her feel slightly uncomfortable but give her peace by keeping the counter between us.

It’s important that she feels safe in my presence.

This time, she splays her hands on the counter and leans forward, too, until our noses are almost touching. She smells sweet, as if she dipped herself in sugar and is waiting for me to devour the cupcake she’s been keeping safe for me.

Mmm, I bet she’s still as sweet as she was all those years ago, if not sweeter.

“I won’t give you the check until you tell me what is going on with Marco?”

“You think I care about the rent? It’s you who needs to pay it, not because I’ll make you, but because you feel obligated to prove you can take care of yourself. I don’t need your money, Beautiful Girl.”

“You know me well, it seems.” She dips her hand into her apron and slides the check across the counter. “There’s nothing wrong with me taking care of my family. I don’t want to owe anybody.”

I tuck the check into my pocket and lean more into her space. The ghost of her sharp exhale teases my cheek, and I can smell a hint of coffee on her breath. Now that I’m looking at her, I see dark circles under her eyes.

I take her chin in my hand and turn her head from side to side. “You haven’t been resting well.”

She jerks out of my touch, and the kids scream as they play, which has her jumping from the unexpected sound. Her hand falls to her chest, and she gathers herself. “What I do or don’t do isn’t of your concern, Luca. I’m fine. I have twins. Sometimes that means I don’t sleep well. It’s fine. I’ve been doing this for nearly six years. I can manage.”

“I’m not saying you can’t. I’m just saying, anything I can do to help you, please let me know. You deserve a good night’s sleep, Camilla.”

“Why do you care?” she asks, but she sounds so frustrated and tired.

“You’re not ready for that answer, Beautiful Girl. You’re not ready for that at all.” I take her hand and kiss the top of her knuckles. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”

“Why? You have the rent check.”

“You’re not ready for that answer either.” Placing one last kiss on her hand, I place it gently on the counter, but I don’t remove my fingers from being wrapped around hers just yet.

I do not want to let go yet. The connection between us is burning just as hot as it did on her birthday.

What gives me the smallest amount of hope is that her fingers tighten around mine, and I let go before she can second-guess herself.

I head to the door, and every time I leave her and the kids, it becomes more difficult. It’s an odd feeling, but it’s like I’m meant to be here. I’m not meant to leave. I was never meant to not be with her.

“Luca!”

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