Page 107 of Captured Innocence

“Auntie So-fee-a,” Michelangelo said as he raced toward me, wrapping his little arms around my legs. Tears rushed to my eyes, my heart heavier than it had been in such long time.

“Hey, baby man. I missed you.”

He giggled as only a child could do. He had no idea how lucky he was to have both a mother and a father who adored him without holding anything back. He was a beautiful, bright boy and I was willing to sell my soul to the devil if he could have his mother by his side for most of his life.

When Mattia scooped him up into his arms, Michelangelo couldn’t stop laughing, his eyes so bright. “You are a perfect little man.”

My nephew rolled his eyes. “Mama just said so.”

I heard the words, but could I believe them coming from a three-year-old? The fact was that the doctors were fearful my sister had experienced a stroke and might never recover.

“She did, huh?” Mattia asked for me as he pressed his finger into the little boy’s tummy.

Michelangelo giggled again, nodding profusely. “She said I was the bestest boy in the world.”

“She just told you that?” I had to ask, even if I was terrified of the answer.

“Yep.”

I closed my eyes briefly until I heard another noise. When I opened them, D’Artagnan was headed in our direction, his expression blank.

Mattia managed to throw his arm around me, or I would have fallen.

“Come on, baby,” he whispered, pulling us closer.

Dar stopped short, waiting until we were within a couple of feet. Then he burst into a grin. “You can’t stay long but would you like to see your niece, Sophia Joy Lazarro-DeLuca?”

Oh, God. Oh, dear God. My prayers were answered. I couldn’t stop shaking.

Gasping for air, I slapped my hands across my mouth, trying to keep from becoming hysterical. “And Lucia?”

“She’s going to be just fine. A light brain bleed, which caused the symptoms, but no permanent damage. She’s begging to see you, but her doctor is adamant she needs her rest. But come on. Maybe I can sneak you in for a few seconds.”

As I turned my head toward my mother, I gave her a nod of respect. I’d always known mothers knew best. Now I realized they were truly the heart of every family.

Maybe just maybe she was right about everything after all.

* * *

“Oh, for the love of God. Halloween. Really?” I asked as I glanced at the little outfit Lucia had purchased for Michelangelo. The little devil suit wasn’t anything I would have chosen for him, but my beautiful sister had believed it to be hysterical given the nature of our family.

“Hey, it’s become a very important holiday in Italy, sister of mine. Besides, you look adorable yourself, so keep your mouth shut.”

Adorable wasn’t the word. We were all dressed up, Lucia insisting the entire family head to the coastal town of Sperlonga to celebrate the festivities. From what I’d been told, the entire small town was lit up with lights and apparitions, everyone dressed up. I was shocked Lucia had allowed a babysitter to watch over little Sophie while we left the gorgeous vacation plaza for more of a traditional American holiday. Granted, there were at solid six soldiers watching the place even though there’d been no direct threats from anyone in recent months, the peace and tranquility almost too good to be true.

None of us talked about what had occurred months before any longer. There was no need as the men Tommaso had hired had been little more than mercenaries paid tremendous sums of money to be his hired guns.

Interestingly, Tommaso had earned his wealth stealing from some of the same people whose assets I’d been hired to protect. There were still days I expected to see Tommaso walking into a room, his scarred face a reminder of everything we’d all endured, himself included, but his bones were resting in a grave beside his mother and father.

We were happy, more so than I’d believed we could be. I glanced back at the second SUV, the one carrying Joy, Enzo, and our mother. Joy and Enzo were happier than I’d seen them, both spending time decorating the oversized nursery, half in blue and half in pink.

And Joy was almost eight months pregnant, barely able to walk given the size of the twins. We were a motley crew but more of a traditional family than I’d thought could happen.

Vincenzo stopped the SUV, glancing in the rearview mirror at Mattia, who’d remained terribly quiet during the entire ride.

“Okay. What’s up?” I asked as soon as Vinny pulled the vehicle to a stop in front of a festive restaurant right by the ocean. There were lights everywhere, the promise of how hard the city celebrated not embellished in the least.

As usual, Vincenzo opened the door, ushering his boss out. Before Mattia eased onto the pavement, he threw a look at Lucia and Dar, who wore smug expressions.

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