Page 23 of Savage Hearts

“Yeah.” I rolled my eyes. “Probably so, but I wasn’t planning on leaving with Vin. Antonio was coming back to get me. He has the car seat in his car.”

He shifted, reaching across Madison’s lap. “Give her to me.” Tugging our daughter against his chest, he pressed his face against her and inhaled.

Vin glanced behind him, but no one spoke as the only man I’d ever loved pressed kisses to our daughter’s head.

“I never thought I could have something like this, Celestina. My life is a convoluted mess of darkness and death. But you changed that the day I sat down next to you at the bar.”

We watched in complete awe as this man broke down, holding his daughter against him. His body shook with emotion I didn’t understand. He’d walked away from me without a second glance, and now, he was holding his daughter as if she was the most precious thing on the planet.

Where did that leave me?

We pulled down Michael’s long, winding driveway and stopped at the front door. Antonio was standing at the top of the steps, with Massimo beside him. Both held expressions I was familiar with, one that had me sighing.

“This isn’t going to be good, Beckett. My brothers are protective of me, and it’s a miracle that one,”—I pointed at Vin, who was already making his way up the stairs—“didn’t kill you.”

“I’ll talk to him.” Madison glanced at me, giving me a reassuring smile. “Come on, let’s get this over with.” She pushed open my door and urged me out.

We headed around the car, and I watched as Massimo drew Madison into his arms and locked lips with her. When they broke apart, Madison whispered something in his ear, making him stiffen. She cupped his cheek and muttered something, making him lift his head and stare at the sky. He turned his head to Antonio, then turned and walked inside. Antonio shot us a death glare, then spun and walked inside.

With our daughter held firmly in his arms, Beckett slid out of the car. He handed Emilia to me and took a deep breath.

“Let’s go face the firing squad. Then we need to talk.”

As much as I didn’t want to talk to him, I nodded and followed him up the steps. As soon as we stepped through the doors, everyone turned their suspicious gaze on us. Beckett stiffened and held my oldest brother's stare with his own.

“Just get it over with. I’m not leaving.” He folded his arms across his chest and waited.

“Jesus Christ.” Rachel stepped forward and slapped Vin on the back of the head. “You three act like you’re perfect. Well, you’re not. If memory serves me right, you pushed me away. And you,”—she pointed at Antonio—“fought hard against what you wanted. We’ve all made mistakes, but this family needs to stick together. Get your egos in check and bring him into the fold. He’s spent the last year fighting to keep her safe, as you have. Maybe you need to combine efforts.”

Massimo covered his laugh with his hand, but Vin scowled at him.

“Fuck off, brother.”

“As interesting as this is.” I carried Emilia over to Madison and placed her in her arms. “I need a minute alone.”

nine

BECKETT

I’d faceddown the devil and held lives in the palm of my hand. I’d stared down the scope of my weapon and marked a man for death. Those things didn’t scare me. Not like seeing Celestina cradling my daughter in her arms. Every past sin I’d ever committed felt small compared to that.

Mydaughter.

She’d given birth alone to my flesh and blood. Sure, her family was with her, but it didn’t matter—Iwasn’t. Not to mention she said she nearly died because I left her vulnerable. I watched as she headed up a flight of stairs. As I took a step forward to follow her, a hand came down on my shoulder.

“Give her a few minutes, Beckett. She’s been through a lot… hell, we all have.” Glancing over my shoulder, my gaze connected with a woman who looked like an older version of Celestina. “I’m Catarina, her sister. I’ll go check on her… give you time to work things out with my brothers.”

Reluctantly, I turned from the steps and faced the room full of Anastasis. Massimo motioned for me to join them in the living room.

“Come on, Mr. Hart. We have a lot to discuss.”

“I don’t plan to give Celestina a lot of time to stew.” I ambled over to Madison, who I learned was Massimo’s woman. “Please give me my daughter.”

She stared at me for a beat before placing Emilia in my arms. The feeling of her in my arms calmed me enough to listen to whatever Massimo had to say.

“I’m assuming your presence here wasn’t because you came back for her.” Massimo sat down on the couch and tugged Madison onto his lap. “So, tell me, Mr. Hart… why are you here?”

Tucking my daughter into the crook of my elbow, I sat down in the leather armchair.

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