Page 17 of Ruthless Roses

“Baby’s hungry,” Sasha says.

“Smart little guy.” Stitches realizes a second too late his joke might be inappropriate once Salvatore shoots him a violent look of warning of his own. He scratches the back of his neck and forces out an innocent laugh. “You know what I mean, Psycho. Speaking in general. Not about Mrs. Phi.”

“Follow me. I’ve got business to discuss with you.”

The two men leave the room. Medjine and Sasha ask if I mind that they stay. I hadn’t even considered their presence as I pulled open my gown and began feeding.

“You’re officially part of the club!” Sasha claps her hands together. “I stopped caring who was around too. I’d whip out my titty so fast when Bryce was hungry.”

“I don’t understand. Does it not hurt to have their little mouth gnawing on you?” Medjine stares puzzled as I help Dominic latch on.

I smile at her. “It’s strangely relaxing… so far. It just feels like some light nibbling and suction.”

“Just wait ’til you get sore,” Sasha warns with a shudder. “Or you have a blockage. Word of advice, have Salvatore help with those. I wish I had someone to help clear mine, but we all know my story…”

I gently sit down in the armchair by the window, Dominic determinedly suckling and latched onto my breast. “How are you and Bryce doing? And you, Medjine? I know it’s only been a day and a half, but I feel so out of it.”

“Welcome to motherhood. Time is no longer solid. It’s all relative,” Sasha answers. “We’re good. I’m looking at moving again. The neighborhood’s better and I’ll be closer to Bryce’s daycare.”

“I’m also good,” Medjine chimes in. “I bought a new Oscar de la Renta dress for the Pink Hearts Gala next week. You know, the usual.”

I release a sigh of surprise. “I forgot that that’s next week.”

“Medjine refuses to tell me who her date will be,” Sasha says.

My brows raise. “Medjine?! You have a date to the gala?”

“I can neither confirm nor deny these allegations,” she answers vaguely.

We carry on like this, chatting and laughing and enjoying each other’s company. It feels good to be with two of my closest female friends, almost like normal times, and not as if I’m in a medical gown recovering from childbirth. Sasha and I continue trying to force an answer out of Medjine, but she never budges. The topic then shifts back to Dominic as both women gush over how adorable and spirited they find him.

Sasha offers more tips and tricks for new motherhood. I listen diligently, my mind still feeling foggy and slow.

Eventually, Salvatore and Stitches return. Dominic’s finished feeding and he’s fallen back asleep.

We bid goodbye to our friends with hugs and promises that we’ll see them again soon. They offer to help in any way they can—except Medjine explicitly mentions no diaper changing, then she winks at me in jest.

Once we’re finally alone, Salvatore slips his arm around me and drops a kiss to my lips. It feels good to partake in intimate moments like this between us, even if they’re small and fleeting. It serves as a reminder that we’re not only a unit, we’re deeply in love and irresistible to each other.

“You’ll be cleared to come home tomorrow,” he says, rubbing a hand over my back. “I already have the staff briefed on providing you what you need.”

I smile before we go in for another kiss. “Just my boys.”

One of the nurses taps her knuckles to the door. “Mr. and Mrs. Mancino, you have another visitor.”

“It’s not Francis coming back, is it?” Salvatore asks and I snicker.

“No, but he says you’ll be happy to see him.” She steps aside and allows whoever it is entry.

I’m not sure who I’m expecting. Stitches like Salvatore said. Other men in his inner circle, like Fabio and Omar. Current and past coworkers and friends of mine. My Aunt Beatrice or brother Marcel.

Just about anyone I’ve ever known except for the person that walks through the door.

My body goes still from a cold chill and I forget how to breathe. I’ve practically been frozen in time staring at the tall, broad-shouldered man in the doorway.

“Dad?!”

“Hello, Delphi,” he says with an unmistakably fond gleam in his eyes. “I hope it’s alright that I’m here. I had to see my grandson.”

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