Romeo The Mafia Casanova

He gritted his teeth and jerked away from my touch.

“Stress isn’t good for the baby; I’m going to go out the back. Now go apologize for being a jackass; it’s good practice for the future when you fuck up because trust me, you will, but as long as you love her and take care of her, it doesn’t matter,” I muttered under my breath. “Wish fucking granted.”

Numb again, I walked out of the bathroom and down the hall, my face impassive as I snuck out the back, made my way to the car, and opened the door.

Eden was staring out the kitchen sink window when I looked over my shoulder, her eyes sad.

I gave her a quick nod and I left.

At that moment, I had no idea that it would be two years before I saw her again.

Those two years would build a chasm so deep between us, it would forever be impossible to cross.

I didn’t just give her up to my brother. I had now abandoned her because of him, not only her…

Him and my unborn nephew.

I walked away that day and didn’t look back; if I did, I would have stayed.

Fought, for not only her and them and his family, which should have been mine instead.

Eden’s [POV]

Now I woke up with a start, eyes swollen, body sore from being so tense the day before. My vision was blurry as I rubbed my eyes and then reached for my cell.

“Shit!” It was already eight, and Naz had Kindergarten at eight-thirty.

I scrambled around the room, all thoughts of Romeo gone as I grabbed a baseball hat, pulled on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt, and sprinted into his room. Only to find his bed empty. Panic struck square in my chest until I heard his usual giggling and talking.

With a frown, I jogged down the hallway.

Romeo was in front of the stove, flipping pancakes while Naz clapped.

What the hell sort of alternate dimension did I just wake up in?

My heart squeezed in my chest.

Did Romeo know?

Did he know that Tristian used to make breakfast for Naz? It was boy time or, as Naz always said, boy day.

Then again, every day was boy day to Naz.

He clapped. “Higher, Uncle Romeo! Higher!”

“Okay, one more time, just don’t tell your mom if it gets stuck to the ceiling.”

“Pinky promise.” Naz held out his hand.

Romeo reached across the bar, hooked his pinky in Naz’s, and then tossed the pancake a few feet into the air before catching it with a plate.

I watched in wonder as he handed Naz the plate and layered a lake of syrup all over it.

“You just gonna stand there or come eat?” Romeo announced, without turning.

How did he know?

I shuffled toward them. Romeo was in last night’s clothes still; his hair a bit mussed, which just added to his ridiculous sex appeal while he poured a glass of orange juice for Naz and then handed me a hot cup of coffee.

“What’s this?” I asked, peering into it.

“Coffee.” His voice was casual. “I figured you could use it this morning before your massage.”

My head shot up. “Massage?”

He checked his Rolex. “Yup, they’re expecting you at nine.”

“Nine,” I repeated. “But I have to take Naz to school; I have zero makeup on, I-”

He turned around and shoved a pancake in my mouth like a complete asshole. “I’ll take him to school. You don’t need makeup. You’re perfect just the way you are. Now drink your coffee before it gets cold.”

I took the pancake from my mouth, refusing to let him know how delicious it tasted, and lifted the coffee to my lips, taking one small sip. “Anyone ever tells you that you’re bossy? And who’s this cheerful in the morning?”

The corner of Romeo’s mouth tilted up in a smug smile. “Seems to me like you could use a bit of bossiness. Besides, I have to stop at my house and grab some clothes.” He offered a matter-of-fact shrug. “His school’s on the way.”

“How do you know where his school is exactly?”

“Oh, I camp outside of it in my van then offer free candy during recess.” He winked.

“Very funny,” I groaned.

“Oh, can you, Uncle Romeo? My friends would think I was so cool if you had a candy van!”

I jabbed my finger at Naz. “Never repeat to anyone that your uncle has a van with candy and parks at the school.”

Romeo choked out a laugh, “Ever.”

“Aw, man.” Naz pouted. “You’re ruining boy day.”

“Yeah, Eden, you’re ruining boy day,” Romeo agreed.

I was going to strangle him to death. “Make sure he gets into the school before speeding off and don’t-” I stopped talking and looked him up and down; even in ruffled clothing, he looked like walking and talking sex. A wet dream you never want to wake up from. A nightmare you’d welcome any day of the week. “Just be careful at drop off, especially of Maria; she’ll get one good look at you and cyberstalk you until you’re too terrified to say no.”

“Ah, soccer moms, such easy hunting, it wouldn’t even be fair, Eden, you know that… all those repressed housewives in their expensive SUVs, cobwebs between their-”

I clapped a hand over his mouth. “Stop speaking.”

He grinned against my palm.

I jerked it away, irritated that my skin was tingling where his lips touched.

Ignoring how close he was, I turned toward Naz. “Two more bites, then grab your backpack.”

After a huge yawn and two giant bites shoved into his mouth, Naz hopped off the barstool, grabbed his Lego backpack, then walked up to Romeo and took hold of his hand. “Uncle Romeo, can I bring you in for show and tell today?”

“Probably not the best idea, little man.” He ruffled his hair.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“But, you can show your gun!”

My eyes went wide. “There’s a no weapon policy at your school, Naz, and remember, we don’t tell our friends or teachers what Mommy and Daddy-” I stopped myself as loss swept through me. “-what your family do.”

“Oh.” Naz frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. “But it’s so cool. I mean, Uncle Romeo cleans money!”

I nearly spit out my coffee while Romeo’s grin stretched across his face. “That’s because money’s dirty, and I like things to be clean.”

I glared at him, then smiled back at Naz. “Remember not to believe everything Uncle Romeo says, all right honey?”

“Oh okay, so you’re not beautiful? Because I think you are, and Uncle Romeo said you were, but maybe he wasn’t the truth?”

“Telling the truth.” I corrected. “And um-”

“She is.” Romeo stepped in. “Stunning, and since you’re the man of the house, it’s your job to tell her that, all right, Naz?”

He nodded his head. “Don’t worry, Uncle Romeo; I’ll tell her, and you’ll tell her, and then Daddy will be happy in Heaven.”

I seriously doubted that, but I said nothing as Naz made his way over to the door. “Bye. Mom loves you. We don’t want to be late!”

“Where’s my kiss?” I crossed my arms.

“Oops!” He ran back over to me, hugged my legs, and when I bent over to his level, pressed a soft kiss to my mouth. “Loves you.”

“Loves you too.” I patted his soft cheek. He smiled up at me but didn’t go back to the door.

“Naz?”

“Mom,” he said in a loud whisper. “You have to say goodbye to Uncle Romeo too.”

No, I didn’t.

I forced a smile. “Bye, Romeo.”

“Mommmmmm, he needs a goodbye kiss too. You always say that you have to kiss before you leave the house, just in case you don’t get to kiss again. Remember?”

Yup, strangling Romeo later. He laughed with Naz and then nodded his head at me like it was true.

Son of a bitch.

“Right,” I agreed, clenching my teeth.

I turned to Romeo and stood up on my tiptoes, bringing my mouth to the side of his cheek only to have him turn at the last minute as my lips collided with the corner of his arrogant smile.

“Mama.” Naz started clapping. “That was a great kiss! Right, Uncle Romeo? Wasn’t it your favorite?”

My heart slammed against my ribs as his dark eyes flickered into mine before answering. “My favorite of all time.” He tore his gaze from me and started guiding Naz toward the door.

“Mom’s a good kisser.” Naz didn’t miss a beat as he continued to chatter about my superb kissing skills. Even as they opened the door and went outside, I could see Naz’s little mouth moving and Romeo laughing.

It was insane how easy it was for them.

To just… co-exist.

Especially after the fact that I’d shoved Romeo out of our lives to prevent a war between the brothers.