“Suite?” I utter, shocked that they’re not sticking me with the rest of the house staff. I’m here as their employee, not a guest, but I won’t complain.
“Si,” she says, while Salvatore turns on his heels and heads inside without another word. Dick. “You’ll be next to the bambina.”
“Oh that’s perfect, thank you.” I turn to my father and he tugs me in for a hug. “I’ll call you, Papa. Thanks for the ride.”
“Love you, tesora. Be a good girl, si?”
“Yes, Papa. Drive safe.” He presses a tender kiss to my forehead and bids his farewell to the Vendettis. I’m a touch anxious at seeing him go, but it’s time to be the adult I’ve preached about being and do my job. I wave as he drives off and face the powerful mob boss and his stunning wife.
Matteo turns for the door and Violet says, “Come on, Annabella. I’ll show you your room and where everything is.”
Matteo calls back, “Once you’re settled, Sal will introduce you to his daughter. If you need anything, please find Margo. She’s head of household.”
“Of course. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Vendetti.” Matteo remains quiet and branches off from the entry down a long hall.
“Call me Violet, please. You’re practically family, so no need for the formality with me. Matteo prefers to stay professional, as does a few of his brothers.”
“I’ll address everyone by last name, unless they direct otherwise. I know that, uh, well, they go about things differently.”
“Oh? What’s different about them?”
“Just, you know…the mafia stuff? We don’t gossip, but my father told me that Mr. Vendetti is a boss and to regard them with that respect…It’s none of my business.” And if we’re being technical, we are blood related far down the line. I keep that bit to myself. I’m half American, and my father has made it very apparent that I won’t be regarded as one of them. Not that I want to or anything. They’re mafia, for God’s sake.
“He’s the boss, not a boss,” she corrects with a wink. “The less we speak of it, the better.”
“Of course,” I immediately agree, silently chastising myself for already sticking my foot in my mouth. “Are there special needs or allergies I should be concerned about with the baby?”
“None that we’ve discovered so far, although she seems to cry all the time with Salvatore. She doesn’t cry often with me, but that may be something you should be aware of going into this position. I’ve helped take care of her as much as I can. It’s hard when I have my daughter to look after, to be there for Salvatore’s at all times as well. Margo has helped take care of her, as has Cristiano’s wife, Arianna.” I could’ve sworn he married a woman named Sofia, but I must’ve misheard or something.”
“And her mother?”
Violet’s face screws up for a beat before she shares, “She died unexpectedly. Rosa has no mama.”
“Oh how awful! That poor sweet baby. I couldn’t imagine not having my mother. I will be good to her, you have my word.”
With a kind smile, she replies, “I had a feeling about you, Annabella. You’ll fit in well around here. Stay on your toes. Seven men live here who can be demanding and broody at times, but If you keep your distance, they’ll hardly speak to you.”
Seven good-looking made men live here, and I’ll be sharing a house with them. No pressure at all, I think as I roll my eyes to myself.
Find the place where your
soul says to your heart:
Bentornata a casa.
Welcome home.
- Questadolcevita
Matteo told me to come out front with them, to introduce myself to the new nanny. He never warned me that she’d be beautiful. He said she’s a friend of the famiglia, one he’s had thoroughly checked out. He also promised I wouldn’t have to worry about her, but he’s mistaken. In fact, he couldn’t be more wrong. I could read as much from one quick glance her way.
I tried my damndest not to stare at her the entire time we were standing outside. She’s short too. I have a thing for small women; I always have. I’ve never discriminated against tall females or anything. Everyone is a potential conquest when it comes down to it.
For once, I wasn’t contemplating the best way I could escape and avoid my famiglia, but to get away from her. I have an uphill battle in front of me, and I don’t need to mix it in with fantasies of the new woman coming to help me take care of my child. They’ll be one of two outcomes when it boils down to her, I already see it. Either she won’t last, or my brothers will be in her panties as soon as possible. I shouldn’t care. I don’t. But fuck, I do for some reason, and that reality is maddening in itself.
When was the last time I had a decent fuck, anyhow? My mind was so goddamn foggy for far too long, I honestly can’t say, and that’s pathetic. Who knows if I could even get it up with how inebriated I must’ve been. Nah, that’s a lie. My cock never has a problem with getting hard, no matter what I may be drinking, smoking, snorting, or shooting into my veins. My hands begin to tremble, the ache to get away from my mind always hovering nearby, waiting to tempt me back.
I have something—or rather, a someone—far more important to think of other than the sensations of a quick high. My daughter… She’s my number-one priority, and no drug out there is worth coming between us. I storm up the stairs toward my room. The itchy withdrawal sensations clawing at my skin shouldn’t affect me any longer, yet I can still feel it crawling over me. No matter how much time passes, I’ll never forget what I’ve gone through to get me where I am today. The detox process was brutal on my mind and body, my own form of torture that I have no one else to blame for but myself.
Bursting into my bathroom, I rush for the sink. Turning the cold water on full blast, I splash the icy liquid over my face, attempting to shake the sensations away. There’ll be no women, no drugs, no nothing! The only important things I need to concentrate on in my life right now is me, the bambina, and remaining clean. I grab for the ivory hand towel and pat my face dry. The chill of the water helped shake me out of the destructive path my thoughts and emotions were quickly tumbling down. I stride out of my bathroom just as I hear them speaking in the hallway. Violet and Annabella.
“This is Salvatore’s personal suite. The baby’s room connects between yours and his. You each have your own bathrooms and sitting rooms connected to your bedrooms,” I hear Violet inform the new nanny. Her name suits her: Annabella. Beautiful Anna. I wonder if anyone calls her such?
“Wow, that sounds great and much more than I was expecting. I’m excited,” Annabella responds, and my feet take me to my closed door. I lean my ear against the heavy oak to listen better, wanting to gain any bit of information I can from their conversation.
“Yeah, the old Vendettis definitely had famiglia and guests in mind when they had this place built.”
“And the baby? When can I meet her? It’s a girl, right? Oh, what’s her name? I should’ve asked sooner.”
“Follow me,” Violet says. “Your door’s right over here. As for the neonata, yes, she’s a girl. Salvatore’s conflicted on what to name her. Maybe you could help him find something he likes?”
I scoff to myself. I don’t need her assistance with a name. I only need her to help me stop the crying. My daughter is not my biggest fan, and I have to figure out how I can change that fact. Matteo assures me Annabella is qualified to care for her, but how competent is she really? She’s young, much younger than any nanny we ever had growing up. I should’ve asked him these questions prior to her arrival, but now I’m too intrigued to just flat out fire her. I leave my door, no longer able to overhear the women’s chatter.
I could easily pick out the judgment in their voices. They think I’m crazy for not naming my daughter yet. It’s not as if I’m purposefully not naming her. I want to, but I have no idea of a name that’s good enough for her. I was utterly shellshocked when I initially discovered her paternity, and a doctor at the facility confirmed I can indeed have children. Not that I doubted the test
ing for my daughter, but I wanted everything examined from my vasectomy. I guess they’re not foolproof, and since I didn’t return for a follow-up to get checked after my procedure, I never knew that it didn’t work properly.
There was also the stress of getting clean, staying clean, and now reintegrating back into society. I have to be an actual father to the petite bundle napping in the next room. Toss in the stress of not knowing what the hell I’m doing, and suddenly I’m overwhelmed and can’t think clearly half the time, all over again. If you’ve ever had withdrawals, you know it’s a bit like drowning. You’ll do whatever you have to, to get that hit of air. As much as I’d like to be able to say I’m different in that affect, I’m not.
A drowsy cry rings out, and my gaze shoots to the monitor I have set up. I had security set up cameras in my daughter’s room so I could see her at all times, and they could monitor her room as well for security purposes. I remove my shoes and head for the adjoining door to comfort her. Who am I kidding? I’m the last person who knows what she needs, but I’m willing to try. It’s all I can do.
Color me shocked, but before I can get inside my bambina’s room, Annabella is there and already has her in her arms. She coos to my tiny bundle. She has my daughter wrapped snuggly in her fur blanket with a bottle in her mouth. She rocks her a bit and rambles sweetly to her. I hum to myself in appreciation, a bit taken with the way Annabella seems so natural with her.
Annabella’s gaze collides with mine. The woman steals the breath right out of my lungs. She’s simply stunning, even dressed plainly.
“Oh, Mr. Vendetti…I hope it’s okay. I heard her crying and was anxious to meet the precious girl.”
I clear my throat and give her a jerky nod. I’m not sure what to say or do. Is she going to teach me what to do right now, or am I supposed to leave her alone? I shouldn’t feel out of place in my daughter’s room, yet in this moment, I’m feeling like the intruder.
Annabella offers me a kind smile. I hate to admit it, but her expression is open and welcoming. Did I really want her to be so terrible? “You know, when I first picked her up, her cheeks were the hue of my favorite roses. Have you seen them, the light, dusky pink-colored roses?”
I squint, wracking my brain for a beat before agreeing. “We have an indoor garden with several rose bushes.” I don’t know why, but her words stir something up inside me. Perhaps because she’s an outsider offering her opinion, it has me considering her words a bit more carefully than anyone else around here?
“You have the kind with the dusky pink buds?”
“I’m fairly certain,” I retort and then murmur to myself, “Roses…hmm.”
Rosa Vendetti. The name rolls over my tongue smoothly, complementing our famiglia’s name. My mother was Liliana, as is Matteo’s daughter, and his wife is Violet. I think Rosa would fit in perfectly. Closing the distance between us, I stand beside Annabella and stare down over her shoulder at my content bambina. She’s so perfect when she’s like this. “We’ll call her Rosa Vendetti,” I state as Rosa’s deep-brown irises find mine. It’s almost as if she already knows it’s her name.
“Oh, I love it,” Annabella agrees, slowly continuing to sway my bundle in her arms. I wasn’t sure about her, yet here she is, not even thirty minutes later, already making things a bit easier on me. Maybe Matteo knew what he was doing hiring her after all. I won’t pat him on the back just yet over it.
“Will you be okay if I leave for a few hours?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll take good care of Rosa. You don’t have to worry, I promise.”
“Grazie. I’m going to make her name official with the state. If you need anything, press the button next to the camera and security will send someone immediately.”
“We’ll be fine. I love babies.”
I nod and gently trail my finger over my Rosa’s forehead before heading back through my door. Perhaps having Annabella around won’t be so bad after all. It hasn’t been a full day yet, and if Matteo says she checks out, I need to give her a chance around here. Making my way down the stairs and into the Capo’s office, I pop in wearing a pleased grin.
“Her name is Rosa. Rosa Vendetti,” I immediately announce.
“Perfecto!” Matteo exclaims.
Cristiano calls from the other room, “Si, perfecto. Liliana, Rosa, and Romeo. The Vendetti’s present and future.”
Matteo casually mentions, “Don’t forget about Damiano.”
“Scusa?” I blurt. “Damiano?” Did someone else have a baby while I was in rehab and not fill me in?
He silently beams my way. The look is so unlike my brother, the Capo dei capi.
Cristiano is by us in a flash. He considers me briefly before training his stare to our older brother. “Repeat that last part.”
Matteo responds, “I said, you forgot Damiano.”
“Oh?” Cris sits in one of the large wingback chairs placed in front of the Capo’s imposing desk. “You have something to share with us as well, fratello?”
“We were going to wait until later,” he begins, hands raised.
Violet walks in at the perfect time, declaring, “But clearly this brute can’t hold off for a few hours before spilling the news. Never in my life did I think I’d have to worry about the Capo having loose lips.”
Matteo belts out a laugh, pulling his beautiful wife to him. He tucks her into his chest, wrapping an arm around her, and places a kiss on top of her head. He’s batshit crazy where Violet is concerned; he has been from the moment he first saw her. That was a fun trip to Milan, one I can only remember brief parts of. They were good memories, though, so that must count for something.
“Marito, tell them,” she orders. The woman is bossy to her core, which is probably why her and Matteo butt heads often, but then turn around and fuck like rabbits. Their love is the obsessive type one could only dream of having in a lifetime.
He proudly obliges, “Mia fiore is pregnant. We’re having another bambino!”
“A boy? You’re certain?” I ask, pleased for them both. I’m honestly surprised it took this long. I thought for certain Matteo would keep her impregnated, one bambino after the other.
She beams as he nods, sharing, “Luca did the ultrasound yesterday.” He hands me and Cris each a cigar. We’ll wait until Vi isn’t around to smoke them. Her health is the upmost importance, especially while she’s with child.
I walk over to them, kiss Matteo’s cheeks, then pull Violet into a warm hug. She squeezes me in return as I confess, “I’m so damn happy for you, Violet. Motherhood suits you well. This is wonderful news for the entire famiglia.”
“Si,” she shakily whispers, a rawness coming forth in her tone. “I couldn’t ask for a better famiglia to share this life with.” I pull away and she pats my cheek affectionately. “Hang in there, Sal. I believe in you. We all do.”
Now I’m the one feeling a bit choked up. I step away, so Cristiano can congratulate them next. “You’ll announce it at dinner, I suppose?”
“Si, famiglia dinner tonight,” Matteo confirms. “I’ll expect gifts within the week,” he tosses in for Violets benefit, and we chuckle.
“I’ll make sure Annabella can care for Rosa.”
“Rosa?” Violet asks, curious gaze flashing my way.
“Annabella helped me. I like Rosa Vendetti. What do you think?”
She grins. “It’s lovely. You chose well. Completely perfect for that precious neonata. You should bring her to dinner with you. Have Annabella come too so she can help if Rosa fusses. This is a famiglia dinner, and little Rosa should be with her cousins and uncles.”
I grunt, anxiety working its way into me at the prospect of having Annabella seated next to me for that amount of time. “Annabella wants to bond with the baby, so maybe the next one. You know how fussy Rosa can get. I’m not sure she’s ready to be around the noise that comes along with our famiglia dinners.”
Cristiano chuckles. “True, fratello. Exactly why we haven’t brought Romeo yet. I’m waiting
a few months until the loudness doesn’t make him jump as frequently.”
“Look at you protective daddies. I’m supposed to be the mama bear around here, and you’re worse than I am,” Violet teases, glowing with happiness.
“Fiore, let them do what they think is best.” Matteo pulls her back into his arms. “Before we know it, our table will be overflowing with Vendettis, and you’ll be wanting to kick them all out.” Me and Cris both laugh, agreeing. I hope I can make it until then and even longer, because that’s a sight I’d love to see.
I leave them to hunt Annabella down again. She’s not hard to find. She’s exactly where she’s supposed to be, and that’s refreshing. She’s barely left my daughter’s side since she’s arrived, and I have a feeling I’ll never get tired of seeing the way she is with my neonata. Could I be so lucky to truly have found someone that’ll care for the most important person in my life the way I want her to? I should’ve thanked Matteo, but I was too distracted about sharing Rosa’s name with him. Now he can make sure the correct paperwork is filed on her, and I can close that part of my life to move forward. Hopefully.
“How is she?” I question as soon as I arrive back at Rosa’s nursery. Violet had it decorated in lace and furs as white as snow, along with soft hues of baby pink and gray here and there. It’s definitely a little girl’s room, yet decorated with exemplary taste.
“Shh, she’s sleeping.”
“Already?”
“I was dancing around the room and singing to her. She was smiling, and I think all the excitement wore her out.”
My eyes widen as I peek into the crib. Sure enough, my girl is sleeping peacefully. I was only gone maybe two hours. I ate, checked in with the cook about the groceries I want, called Luca about stopping by and running a blood test on Annabella (excessive, I know, but I can’t help it where my daughter’s health is concerned), I spoke to my brothers and Violet about Rosa, and then came right back here. “Wow,” I admit, taking a step back. “You’re good. Matty wasn’t lying.”
The Vendetti Coward: Salvatore Vendetti (The Vendetti Famiglia Book 4) Page 3
