Page 12 of Savage Hearts

“Hey. Put me down, I can walk.” Michael tried to get out of his husband’s arms.

Antonio grunted, ignoring his request, and slammed the door with his hip. Massimo slid out of the front seat and hurried around to my side of the car. He opened the door and lifted me up as well.

“Don’t argue, Cee. You’re pregnant and were just involved in a serious car accident. I’m not taking a chance on you, or my niece or nephew being hurt.”

“Niece,” I mumbled, blowing out a frustrated sigh. “I’m having a girl.”

Massimo froze, halting his steps. “A girl?”

“Yes… Fuck.” I swore, realizing I’d left all the images in the wreckage.

“What? Does something hurt?” He moved toward me with fear etched in his gaze.

“I left my bag in the car. It has my video of the ultrasound in it.”

“I’ll call Vin and tell him to grab it. Another girl,” Massimo mumbled as I nodded my head against his shoulder. “We’re all fucked. Boys we can handle… but you women wrap us around your fingers. Two baby girls to look after. Alex, call the guys in. We need to make a plan. Costa isn’t going to touch another hair on my family’s head. He wants to play with the big boys? Well, he got his wish.”

Everyone was inside, waiting. And I mean everyone—Madison, Rachel, Carmela, Catarina, Danny, and Riley were all standing in the foyer.

“Oh my God, Cee.” Carmela ran toward us and grabbed my arm. “Are you okay?”

“Let’s get her settled, Carmela. Anyone heard from Doctor Luchasi?”

Danny stepped forward with his arm slung over my oldest sister’s shoulder.

“He said he’d be here in ten minutes.” His eyes panned to Michael, who was seated on the chair, with Antonio standing beside him. “What the fuck happened?”

“No.” I threw up my hand. “This is not his fault, so don’t take that fucking tone with him.”

“She’s right.” Catarina closed her eyes. “It’s mine.”

“Fuck that shit, Cat,” I barked out. “The only person who’s getting blamed here is Manuel Costa. As soon as his brother died, he saw it as an opening.” I scanned the room, shooting Catarina a look of confusion. “Where is Leo?”

As if he knew he was being called, I heard a tiny whelp from the living room. I wiggled out of my brother’s hold and pushed past everyone gawking at me like some kind of zoo animal. As soon as I saw my nephew in his car seat, every bad feeling melted away. He was a big baby, which is what had caused such a hard delivery for my sister. Snatching off the straps of his seat, I scooped him up and cradled him against my chest. I pressed my face to his head and inhaled. He was eight pounds eleven ounces at birth, but holding him now, I could tell he’d gained some weight.

“Getting big on me, little guy?” I pressed a kiss against his soft hair. “You make everything better.”

“You look good with him.” Danny stepped beside me and grinned.

“You two make beautiful babies.” I smiled at my brother-in-law. “I hope you make more of them.”

“Shhh…” He glanced over at Cat, who was talking to Massimo. “Don’t say that too loud. Cat hasn’t forgiven me for putting a big baby in her yet. She’d cut off my cock if she thought I wanted another right now.”

“Do you?”

He smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at his son.

“Hell, yeah, I would. I love that woman, and this is the best possible gift, aside from marrying me.”

My insides tightened with sadness as I watched him fawn over his son. Not only could you see his immense happiness in being a dad, but you could also hear his absolute love for my sister when he spoke about her. It was something I would never have… and that hurt like a bitch.

I shifted Leo in my arms just as Riley rounded the corner, holding Gia in her arms. Gia squirmed in her arms, demanding to be put down. Riley relinquished control, and I watched as my one-year-old niece toddled toward me on the couch.

“She’s walking?” My eyes widened with shock as she took several steps and plopped down on her butt.

“Trying… and damn if it isn’t exhausting.” Riley dropped to the seat beside me and held her hands out to Gia. “She is balls to the wall or asleep. Thank God.” Riley reached over and tugged my hand into hers.

“How are you… really?”

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