Harbour of Refuge

by Aliyah Burke

His indulgent chuckle escorted her to the land of slumber.

  Chapter Twelve

  Taking the tomato quiche from the oven, Enzo moved and placed it on the trivet. He glanced at the clock, noting it was almost six in the morning. Halyn still slept—he wouldn’t wake her until everything was ready. She had to work today but he’d kept her up late last night and into the morning.

  He grinned with pure masculine arrogance—he’d worn her out. She made you just as exhausted, his subconscious reminded him. He shook his head. She was more than welcome to wear him out like that anytime she wished.

  He’d just set the diced fruit on the table when his cell went off.

  “Hello?”

  “What’s this I hear about you having a son?”

  The eldest Cassano child. “Hello, Valentino. How are you doing?”

  “Child.”

  He chuckled. His brother sure didn’t mince words. “I have a son. I see Mama has been blabbing again.”

  “You could have told me.”

  He nodded, accepting that as truth, all the while knowing Valentino knew why he didn’t call when he was gone. None of them did, he would let his family know when he returned then they would catch him up. “I know and I’m sorry. Just been a bit hectic lately, trying to figure out how to keep racing while I have him with me.”

  “Liev—is that his name?”

  “Yes. Ekaterina is his mother. Was, was his mother. Smart kid, we’re going to have him tested soon.”

  “We? Who’s we?”

  “Jaydee said she’d go with me. She’s very protective of him. Honestly, I think she sees a lot of herself in him, and wants to make sure he doesn’t have the shitty childhood she did.”

  “Is that where he is?”

  “For the night, yes. I had a date.”

  “This is the woman from Monte Carlo.”

  Christ, could his family stay out of his business? “Damn that Gio.”

  “I’m coming along with Zia, I want to meet this boy of yours.”

  Great. “Awesome, it’ll be good to see you.”

  “Liar, you’re wishing I wouldn’t. I’ll see you then.” His brother hung up before he could say anything else.

  Phone on the counter, he sighed. “Great, family coming and I don’t have places to put them. Well, they can get a hotel or stay with Gio.”

  “Everything okay, Enzo?”

  He turned, a smile lifting his lips at the sight of Halyn standing there in fitted jeans and a nice shirt.

  “Morning, sweetheart.” He moved to her side and kissed her quickly. “I was just about to come wake you up.”

  She allowed a hand to linger on his chest, the look in her eyes slightly far away. “Something smells wonderful.”

  “I made you some breakfast. I know you have to work today.”

  “You didn’t have to cook for me, Enzo.”

  “I know, I wanted to do it.”

  She lifted up on her toes and placed a kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”

  “You haven’t tasted it yet.”

  “I’m not worried. Jaydee told me your mama made sure all you boys could cook.”

  “Did she now.” He led Halyn to the table and held her chair for her. “What else did she tell you?”

  “Sorry, sworn to secrecy.”

  He tugged her hair until her head dropped back. “Really?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  He laughed at her solemn expression. “You’re very upbeat in the mornings.”

  “It’s my favourite time of day. Everything clean from the night’s dew. It’s a new beginning. If someone hadn’t worn me out so much, I would have been up earlier to drink coffee on the patio.”

  “Let’s go eat out there.”

  Her smile was better than winning any race. It didn’t take them long to put the food out and sit at the table. They ate in silence for a while, enjoying the crisp morning air.

  “Thank you for this,” she said on a moan. “It’s so delicious.”

  He shifted on the seat, his jeans a bit tight from the hardness in them. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

  She sipped some coffee and sent him a wink. “I am. I think this should be one of my cards. Cook for Halyn.”

  Finishing his last bite, he placed his fork down. “I can make you a few more cards.”

  Her grin was wicked. “I’d like that a lot.”

  So would he.

  She cleaned up then got ready to go. As he watched, she shoved her identification in a backpack.

  “No purse?”

  “I don’t use one when I ride in. I have the pack.”

  “You’re riding in today?”

  “Yes. Have a good day, Enzo.”

  “I don’t like this, you shouldn’t ride.”

  Her chuckle didn’t set him at ease in the least. “I love to ride my bike. I do it a couple times a week. It’s good exercise.”

  “It’s dangerous.”

  “So is riding in a car. I’ll be fine.” She squeezed his hand and shoved into her backpack. “I have to go.”

  He walked out the door and watched as she pushed a bike around from her garage. She put her helmet on and he walked to her.

  “I could drive you down there,” he offered.

  “And I could drive myself. I want to bike, Enzo. I like to bike. Don’t worry so much, I’ll be fine.”

  He gripped her shoulders and drew her close. “You’d better. Dinner tonight?”

  “Can’t, sorry, have plans with Mila.”

  He ignored the shaft of disappointment and nodded. “Okay. I’ll call you.”

  “Sounds good.” She brushed their lips together all too briefly before she straddled the bike and got on her way. Prior to turning out of her drive, she glanced at him over her shoulder, waved and grinned.

  He almost followed her for his own peace of mind. Instead he pointed his car in the direction of his brother’s and went to pick up his son. Jaydee was outside when he got there, putting things on her motorcycle.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he said, climbing out of his car.

  Cool brown eyes ran over him. “Enzo. Your brother is inside.”

  “Thanks, love.”

  He jogged up the steps. The differences between Jaydee and everyone else never ceased to amaze him. He loved his sister-in-law and would do anything for her but she had at no time reacted to him flirting with her. It was more like she didn’t even register that that was what he was doing. At least when he did it in front of his brother, he got a reaction from one of them. Jaydee just didn’t care.

  Sure, she cared about him, he knew that, and she was happy to see him. But he was one of those things in her world where if he didn’t show back up she would be distressed simply by what it did to her husband. She just wasn’t like, say…Halyn.

  Just thinking of that woman had him grinning as he pushed into the large home. “Where you at, bro?” he called out in Italian.

  Gio appeared on the stairs, carrying his daughter. “He’s still sleeping. We stayed up late last night to look at the stars.”

  Enzo nodded. “Not a problem, unless you are leaving and need us out of here. I see Jaydee’s out with her bike.”

  “She’s heading into town. But let him sleep. The boys are out as well, just Daddy’s little princess who’s awake.”

  The love on his brother’s face made him think about a child with Halyn. As swiftly as he’d had the thought, he sobered.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Forcing a smile, he shook his head. “Nothing. Hand her over.”

  He took his niece and held her close. It hurt to imagine that he’d never be able to hold his and Halyn’s child in this way.

  “You’re full of crap, Enzo. What’s going on?” Gio asked in Italian.

  “I…I don’t think it’s anything I should mention.”

  They sat in the living room, Cynzia tight against his chest, content and quiet. Gio rested his ankle on one knee. “What’s going on?”

  “She can’t h
ave children,” he replied in Italian. “Halyn.”

  “She doesn’t want them?”

  “No, she can’t have them. She had cancer when she was younger. I was just thinking I wouldn’t be able to hold a child of my own like this.” He gazed down at the baby in his arms. “I didn’t get to hold Liev either. I know it’s not like she tried to get cancer and I’m thrilled she survived, but part of me wants a child from me.” He shook his head. “How awful of a person does that make me?”

  “It doesn’t make you an awful person, Enzo. It makes you human. You’ve found a woman who has you thinking of family. Only she can’t give you what you are thinking a family is. You need to realise that’s not it.”

  “Meaning?” He readjusted her pacifier before glancing back at his brother.

  “If you married her, do you think she would treat Liev different because he wasn’t hers?”

  “Hell no!” Enzo cleared his throat and apologised to the baby in his arms.

  “Family is more than blood, Enzo. You could adopt.”

  He’d honestly not given it any thought. But why not? His brother was right. They could. He nodded and stared at his niece. Would you like a cousin or two more, little one?

  “I’d really like to know when you started thinking children with this woman?”

  He flipped his brother off without turning his attention from the girl in his arms. “Your daddy is going to get his ass kicked if he keeps down this road,” he murmured in Italian.

  “Stop lying to my daughter.”

  “See, we have to stick together, piccolina,” he said switching in English. “It’s hard being the babies of the family.” He smirked at his brother. “And I’m not lying to her.”

  The front door opened and in walked Jaydee. Enzo watched the look that appeared on Gio’s face when he saw her. Anyone could tell he was madly in love with his wife.

  “You are lying,” Gio said, rising to his feet. “Seriously, Enzo, think about it. If she truly means something to you. Keep an open mind.” He walked towards his wife and kissed her.

  Enzo watched for a moment before turning away and speaking to Cynzia. “They keep that up and you’ll have another sibling before too long.”

  Jaydee came over, kissed her daughter and walked off all without a word to him. The door shut behind her and he watched Gio return to the sofa across from him.

  “You look good holding her.”

  Enzo smiled. Movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention from his brother. Liev stood there on the stairs, one hand curled around the banister.

  “Good morning, Liev. Did you sleep well?”

  Gio turned and smiled. “Are you hungry?”

  “Yes,” the small voice came. He made his way down the rest of the stairs and to Enzo’s surprise, took a seat beside him and whispered something in Russian to his cousin.

  “Enzo, you get some batter started for waffles. I’ll go check on the boys and make sure they’re still sleeping.” Gio headed up the stairs.

  “Come on, Liev. Let’s get some breakfast made.”

  They worked together, Enzo one-handed with Cyn in his arm, until Gio returned to help out. Despite not being hungry, since he’d eaten with Halyn, Enzo had a waffle when Liev gave him one.

  He helped his brother with diapers and feeding the triplets before he and Liev headed off. Peering in the rear-view, he saw Liev reading a book. “I was thinking we should go get you some school supplies today, what do you think?”

  Brown eyes peered up at him. “Okay.” Back to the book.

  At least it’s more than just a nod. I’m making progress, I have one-word responses now. He drove past his apartment and headed into town. Once they’d parked in a lot, they got out and headed for an office supply store.

  Basket in hand, they walked down an aisle when a feminine voice called his name.

  “Mr Cassano.”

  He turned and bit back his instinctive groan. A petite woman in tight clothing hurried up to him. “Yes?” he asked.

  “Sorry to bother you, I’m Amber Watkins. Not sure if you remember me but I was at the school same time you were registering your boy here.”

  Oh yeah, he remembered her. Divorced mom who seemed to be on the lookout for a father for her son. She gave him a predatory smile before she crouched—showing entirely too much cleavage to both him and his son—and said hi to Liev as well.

  “Anyway, I saw you here and wanted to make sure you knew the school put out a list of everything the children will need for the school year.”

  Shit. He’d forgotten to check on that. She must have understood as she reached into her purse and pulled out a sheet. “I have an extra one so here. Don’t want you to get him things he may not need.”

  “Thank you, Ms Watkins.”

  Her smile was sickeningly sweet. “Oh please, call me Amber. I can’t wait to work with you throughout the year. We’ll have to get you signed up to the PTA and such things. It’ll be wonderful.” She headed off with a wave and another blast of too much perfume.

  He sighed and looked at the paper, then it turned into a groan. Of course. Her home and cell number were on the top.

  * * * *

  Halyn smiled as she waved at the two children who left the shop, purchases in hand with their mother. Some days went faster than others. This one had flown by.

  “You seem happy,” Stacy, one of her employees, said, as she leaned on the counter beside her.

  “I am. How are you doing? How’s school going for you?”

  “Busy but good. We have finals coming up.”

  “Oh, right, the end to summer term.”

  “Yes, trying to finish early.”

  “You’re going to be great.” Stacy was going for child psychology and teaching for younger children.

  “Well, working here has definitely given me exposure to all types of children. Happy, sad—”

  “Spoilt,” Halyn interrupted.

  Stacy chuckled. “Oh, how true. Either way it’s showing me I need to have the patience. And you agreeing to have a reading time also helps. Plus it gets my name out there.”

  She rubbed Stacy’s shoulder. “Sweetie, you’re gonna be great.”

  “I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your help and support.”

  “You never have to thank me. I’m glad you walked through that door, you’ve been a godsend to me. So let’s call us even.”

  Stacy had no parents and had been struggling to continue in college when they’d met. She’d walked in the store looking for a job, desperate. While Halyn hadn’t really needed any help, she’d felt for the young woman. She’d been in that position herself when she’d gone to college, not having a lot of money and needing a job to make it work, so she’d hired her. Years later, they were good friends and she thanked the good Lord every day that Stacy had walked into her life.

  “You know they say there’s a storm coming. You rode here, do you want to leave early so you don’t get caught in it?”

  “Always looking out for me, aren’t you?”

  “I try,” Stacy said. “You don’t make it easy.”

  She laughed. “That’s because I’m older than you.”

  “Humph.”

  “Does she listen to you, Stacy? Because she didn’t seem at all concerned about listening to me this morning.”

  Halyn looked up to see Enzo right inside the door. Her breath left her in a whoosh. It wasn’t fair how good he looked. Jeans and a button-down shirt that hung over the waistband yet did nothing to hide his gorgeous ass.

  “Good afternoon, Mr Cassano,” Stacy said with a smile. “And here’s Liev, good to see you.” She crouched by him. “We just got some new games in, would you like to come see them with me?”

  Halyn watched the adorable boy give a solemn nod then follow Stacy. She bit her lower lip as she noticed Enzo moving closer to her. Not even two minutes in his presence and she was thinking about getting them somewhere private and removing his clothing.

  �
�What are you two doing here?” she asked, grateful her voice didn’t crack.

  “Came to see you.” He rested against the counter, chin propped on one fist. “We were out shopping and swung through.”

  Her belly clenched as he stared at her with those incredible brown eyes. Before Enzo Cassano, she’d always considered brown eyes to be bland. There’d been electric blue, stunning greens or greys, but brown had just been…brown. Not anymore. His eyes were so vivid in her dreams.

  “That so?”

  He dropped his gaze to her lips and slowly back to her eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “That was nice.”

  “I had an ulterior motive.”

  She’d basically do anything he wanted, so long as he continued to stare at her as if he wanted to engulf her. Donate blood, sell a kidney, a lung, whatever. “Do tell,” she murmured.

  The bell over the door chimed and he winked at her before barely brushing their lips together. It took all she had not to lean into him as he drew away then walked off down the aisle.

  Straightening up, she met the eyes of the person standing there. He looked vaguely familiar to her, but she couldn’t quite place from where.

  “Something I can help you with, sir?”

  “Are you the woman dating Enzo Cassano?” He looked at the notepad in his hand. “Halyn Jennings?”

  He moved briskly towards her and Halyn fought to keep the scowl from her face. That was a mighty personal question, and she truly enjoyed her privacy.

  “And you are?”

  “Ernest Macklin. Reporter.”

  She blinked. Definitely not impressed. “And what difference does it make Mr Macklin, if I am?”

  “I’d like to interview you.”

  “For what?” And why?

  “Nobody has gotten your side of how it is to discover the man you’re dating has come to have a son.” He stepped closer and pulled out a pencil, putting it to paper. “His son, do the two of you get along?”

  Protectiveness swarmed her and she fought a growl. “You leave his son out of this.”

  “So you are Halyn Jennings?”

  “Any idiot could figure that out. I own the store.” She made no attempt to hide her derision. She crossed her arms. “You need to leave.”