“Also, Gabs, I’ve got one more thing to tell you. Anthony being taken was Christina’s fault. She worked with the Russians to have him taken. I don’t know the full ins and outs as of yet, but your father’s leaving to fly to Denver in an hour—” He pauses, almost as though he’s trying to find the right words.
“You want to be on that plane,” I finish for him.
He grits his teeth, his jaw hard. “Yes, but I don’t want to leave either of you.”
I press a kiss against his lips. “If this is what you need to do, then do it. We’re safe here, Ales. We’re going to be okay. Just come back as soon as you can.”
He gets to his feet and gives me a deep, hard kiss. “I’ll be back as quick as I can. The Famiglia men will be on guard. Stefan will be in this room with you.”
As much as I want to roll my eyes at his overprotectiveness, I don’t. He’s worried and wants us protected. I can live with that.
“Okay, be safe,” I whisper, hating that he’s leaving again but knowing this is what he needs to do.
“Love you Mama,” he tells me as he rounds the bed to Anthony and presses a kiss against his tiny head. “Be safe, and I’ll be back soon.”
“Love you,” I say, and watch as he leaves the room.
I feel relief. That’s all that I feel at knowing he’s taking care of us and ensuring no one else can hurt us again.
God, he’s amazing, and I’m never going to stop loving him.
Chapter 28
Alessio
“Holly’s on her way,” Makenna tells me as I exit Gabriella’s hospital room. “Raylee and Malcolm will be here tomorrow.”
I nod. “Thank you,” I say, knowing she’s been here the entire time. “Will you stay with her?”
She smiles. “Finn and Destiny are watching the kids. They’re even taking care of Molly,” she says with a smile. Molly is my niece. She’s Holly and Romero’s daughter. “I want to apologize, Ales. I know I hurt Gabby with what I said, but I didn’t mean to offend. I was just looking out for you.”
“I understand, it’s all good,” I assure her. “Watch over them for me,” I ask.
“With my life. Stefan and I have them, and Holly will help keep them entertained.”
I smile. Small talk is not Makenna’s forte. “Thank you.”
Walking out of the hospital is hard. All I want to do is turn back and go be with Gabby and Anthony, but I need to do this. I need to get rid of the last remaining threat they have. Christina. Going to Denver isn’t what I wanted, but it’s sure as fuck where I’m going.
“We’re coming with,” Dante tells me. “You don’t need us, but we’re coming.”
I nod, knowing that as the boss, he’ll want to be there.
“You should take the offer,” Romero says once we’re in the car. “It makes sense. Being here with us is the thing we all dreamed about, but Ales, you have what it takes to be the boss. You’ve proven that over the years. Everyone can see it.”
“Take it,” Dante agrees. “It will help us expand throughout the US, making us more powerful than ever.”
“But I’m your Consigliere.”
Dante nods. “You were, but now you’re going to be a boss. Stefan will make a great Consigliere.”
My chest feels tight, but I manage to nod my gratitude. Fuck. Never did I think I could be the boss. I was always destined to be the younger brother. Now I have the time to prove that I’m more than that. More than the youngest Bianchi sibling and a hell of a lot more than the fuck up.
“Have you spoken to Gabby about this?” Rome asks me.
“Yeah. She’s never wanted to be a part of this life. For her, she’s always wanted a quiet life,” I tell them, letting them know just how much she’s giving up for me. “But she’ll be wherever I am.”
She’s always given a fuck. That’s one of the many things that drew me to her. She cared even when she shouldn’t have. The woman is an anomaly, and I’m a lucky bastard that she’s all mine.