“Hey, beautiful,” he says and gives me a peck on the cheek, then places his palm on my belly. “How are you feeling today?”
“Good.” I smile.
He tips my chin upward, studying me. “Did you rest?”
“Alexius, I’m fine.”
“Just making sure.” He kisses my jaw, making my body tingle, a spark traveling downward between my thighs.
“Seriously,” Caelian starts, “everyone’s aware that all is well again in the land of Alexius and Leandra. No need to gross us out with all this PDA. Get a room. God knows, there’s more than enough to choose from in this house.”
“Will Isaia be joining us tonight?” Nicoli asks, standing by the fireplace, the glimmer of the flames dancing off his features.
“I’m here.” Isaia walks in, and I catch myself smiling when I see him. “Please tell me we’re having good old-fashioned grilled steak tonight. I can’t stomach another fancy-ass meal.” He sits next to Caelian and takes Caelian’s drink, swallowing the last bit.
“Excuse you, you little fucker.” Caelian slaps Isaia on the back of the head, and everyone laughs.
The atmosphere is light and warm. Peaceful for a change. There are no dark clouds looming over us, no worries about spiraling tensions between anyone. It’s the first time in so long that the air isn’t gloomy and bleak.
When Mr. Del Rossa died, there was a shift in this house which everyone felt. Sadness cleaved through this family, and grief draped the walls. It was hard to breathe and not smell the sorrow.
Now, it’s like they’re a family again—likewe’rea family.
I look out into the foyer at the large Christmas tree lit up by lights that cling like a thousand fireflies to the branches. I feel the magic in the air—how it warms my blood and fills my heart. For a few moments, I’m that little girl again, the one who lay awake at night wondering what that excitement felt like—the excitement of wondering what you’d find under the tree on Christmas morning, wondering if the house would smell like cinnamon and pine when you woke up.
“Where are you, stray?” Alexius leans closer, his breath caressing my ear.
“I’m…” I press my lips together, smiling as I look up at him. “I’m right where I want to be.”
He kisses me again, and his brothers cause a stir with their whining in the background. Alexius pulls away and licks his lips. “Jealous fuckers,” he tells them, and Caelian throws a scatter pillow at him.
A while back, I didn’t think the magic of Christmas could fill these halls. But it does. And so does hope. Love. Laughter.
It’s not perfect, and I doubt it’ll ever be perfect. But this might just be…home.
We’re halfway through dinner when Alexius gets a text, and judging by the scowl on his face, it’s not anything good.
My first instinct is to ask what it is, but I remind myself of my place—that when it comes to the family business, I have no place.
Alexius looks across the table at Nicoli. Anyone with half a brain can see that something passes between them, and I know I’ll be going to bed alone tonight.
Alexius places his hand over mine. “I have to—”
“I know.” I smile when he lifts my hand and presses his lips against my skin.
Maximo appears in the doorway, and there’s a storm in his eyes as he stares straight at Alexius. The ice in his demeanor slithers down my neck, chills pricking my skin.
Alexius stands, fastens his suit jacket, and excuses himself from the table, Nicoli and Caelian following suit.
“Isaia.” Alexius glances at his brother, still seated at the table, and with a simple nod, he tells Isaia to join them. To outsiders, it would be an insignificant moment. But to everyone in this room, it speaks louder than words blasting through a megaphone at three in the morning.
“My brother sure knows how to kill the mood.” Mira slips in next to me, crossing her arms. “Whenever he silently demands Alexius’ attention, it’s never good.”
“You think it’s Dark Sovereign business?”
“It has to be, or Alexius wouldn’t have his brothers join them.” She takes the last sip of her red wine and stands. “So, since our dinner just came to an abrupt end and you won’t be having sex tonight, how about we go wrap some presents?”
ChapterNineteen