“Congrats,” I said. Rocco hadn’t been a good father to his children so far. I hoped he’d do a better job with this child.
I led Rocco toward the front door. Val lingered on the staircase and gave Rocco her official smile, but something in her face told me she was in pain. The moment Rocco was out of the door, I stalked toward her. “Val, what’s wrong?”
She smiled. “Labor. I think Leonas doesn’t want to wait anymore.”
“Now?”
She laughed then winced. “Well, this is my first natural birth, at least I hope it’ll be… so I don’t know how long this’ll take but we probably have time to call my parents so they take Anna and grab my hospital bag.”
“Is this because of me again?” Last time Val’s pregnancy had been horrible because I’d made her life so difficult. Was her labor linked to our conversation yesterday?
She rolled her eyes. “Not everything is about you, Dante. This baby is big already. I’m glad he wants to get out a bit sooner. Now get my bag and Anna. I’ll call my parents.”
I nodded and hurried up the stairs.
Fifteen minutes later, we were in the car on our way to Val’s parents to drop Anna off.
“Are you sure we can make this detour?” I asked again. Labor was something I couldn’t control and it was driving me crazy.
Val gave me a look, clutching her belly. “I’m sure. I called my midwife and she said I still have a few hours.”
I wondered how the woman knew. Sometimes these things sped up unexpectedly. Giovanni and Livia waited on the front steps when we pulled up. Anna began crying when Livia tried to pry her off Val’s legs.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Livia crooned. “Your mommy will be fine.”
Anna’s fearful cries tore at me and usually I would have comforted her but I needed to get Val to hospital.
Only when we finally arrived in hospital did I become a bit calmer. Like Val had said, the labor took six more hours and it was late evening when Leonas released his first cry.
He was much bigger than Anna had been. A few weeks made such a difference. The midwife put him into Val’s arms at once and I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. He looked like the photos I’d seen of myself as a baby.
“He’s you,” Val said with a laugh.
“Maybe he’ll get your eyes.”
“We’ll see,” she whispered and stroked his back gently. It was strange to think that one of the happiest moments of my life followed so closely after an act of war. Maybe it was a reminder that I needed to focus on the good in my life, even if evil would always be my closest companion.Father’s congrats came swiftly after he’d heard of Leonas’ birth. While he hadn’t showed the slightest interest in meeting Anna, he couldn’t wait to meet my son, the heir to our bloodline how he never stopped emphasizing. I didn’t mention it to Val, even though she was very aware of my parents’ views.
Val was allowed to leave the hospital the next day. I wanted her home as quickly as possible, considering the escalating conflict with the Famiglia.
“I can’t wait for Anna to meet her little brother. I hope her excitement won’t disappear once she realizes he isn’t really a toy,” Val said as we stepped into our mansion. Giovanni and Livia would bring Anna over later and stay for lunch.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s good for her to share our attention.”
“I know,” Val said, smiling down at Leonas who was fast asleep in his carrier. I stroked her back. I hadn’t left her side since she’d given birth. My protectiveness was at an all-time high and it was difficult to suppress the feeling.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and Rocco’s name flashed on the screen. I had a feeling this was an update on the photo situation. I wasn’t sure I wanted it right now, but business couldn’t wait.
“It’s okay. Take the call,” Val said. “I’ll go ahead into the kitchen and show Leonas to Gabby and Zita. They’re probably busy cooking lunch. I smell roast chicken.”
I kissed her, then pressed the phone against my ear. “What is it, Rocco?”
“Congrats on your son,” he said but I could tell from the sound of his voice that it wasn’t the reason for his call. Something had happened.
“What’s going on?” I asked in a low voice, heading into my office so Valentina wouldn’t overhear anything. She didn’t need to worry.
“The photographer disappeared.”
“What do you mean he disappeared?”
“I tried calling him but he didn’t pick up. Then I called in his agency and they said they can’t reach him. I sent someone over to his apartment to check on him but he wasn’t there. His car parked in its usual place.”