She glances back as they reach the gate, and I hang my head. I can’t look at her. I will wait until they’ve definitely left before I take my own leave.
Chapter 27 - Kira
I get into the car with Alessandro, and he puts an arm around my shoulders. I rest my head against his chest.
“Did he really treat you okay?” He asks.
“Yes,” I say quietly, “but I’m so glad to be coming home.”
“I was so worried about you. I even brought Frankie home to help out so we could get you back.” He strokes my hair gently. “Is what he said true? Is he Raphael’s father?”
I nod gently. “We were so in love in college until my father found out. We were going to build a life together. My father was sure your father would have me killed for betraying the family.”
Alessandro grunts and shakes his head. “It’s more complicated than simply having you killed. My father would have heard you out.”
“I heard about what he did to Carmine when he fell in love with Arianna,” I say. “Would he not have done the same thing?”
“He was angry, but he came to his senses, and so did I.” Alessandro sighs, and we fall silent for a moment.
“Do you still love him?” he asks suddenly.
I consider his question before I answer, “I do. I do still love him. I love him very much even though he’s changed a lot.”
“The women in this family give me a headache,” he says, rubbing his head. “Even the ones through marriage.”
I sit up and look at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
He gives me a knowing look. “If Miguel Rossi were a problem, I’d have him taken care of unless you don’t want me to. I will give you my blessing if you want to be with him. I’ve learned long ago not to stand in the way of the Sorvino women and what they want.”
I smile softly. “I don’t know what lies in the future, Alessandro. I don’t even know if Miguel wants to be with me. I know he wants to meet Raphael.”
“Let him,” Alessandro says. “A boy should know his father. Don Rossi may be many things, but he is, first and foremost, a family man. He always has been.”
I nod and look out the window as we pull up to Alessandro’s house. “What did you tell Raphael?”
“That you were called away for work, and he’d be staying with us for a while. At first, he was a little upset, but he coped fine with it. We treated it as though you had a work emergency.”
I nod. “Thank you so much.”
“Of course, you’re like a baby sister to me,” he chuckles. “I really would have done anything to get you back.”
I hug him tightly, and then I climb out of the car. Katya is standing at the front door, holding Raphael’s hand. As soon as he sees me, Raphael lets go of Katya’s hand and comes running to me. “Mama!”
I scoop him up in my arms and hold him tightly. “Oh, my sweet child.”
He holds me tightly, and I kiss his head before I lower him back down. He’s getting heavy.
“How come you didn’t say goodbye? Or tell me you were going away?” he asks, looking wide-eyed at me.
“I’m sorry, my sweet boy, it was an emergency. If I could have, I would have come back to explain everything to you.” I stroke his face. “You’ve grown so much while I’ve been gone.”
“Did anything interesting happen on your travels?”
I pause for a moment, then give a small smile. “I bumped into your father.”
“My father?” he asks curiously. “Really?”
“Yes, and I decided that maybe it’s time you meet him.” I stroke his face. “I think it’ll be good for you.”