Mafia Casanova - M. Robinson Page 0,32

wonder what her kiss tastes like. You don’t get to comfort her. You don’t get to be her friend. You lost her friendship the minute her father gave her away—to me. Having you close only hurts her; it only breaks us. So I wish you’d stay away. I wish you’d just…leave.”

“You want me gone?” I took a step toward him. “Out of your life? Out of hers? My nephew’s? Is that it?”

He crossed his arms. “Even you can admit it would be better if you just stayed away like you have been.”

“So you get the girl, and I lose my brother and my best friend all in one blow? And now you want me to lose my first nephew too?” I shook my head. “That’s your fear speaking, and you know it.”

“I’m afraid of nothing.” He lifted his chin.

“That’s where you’re wrong, brother.” I squeezed his shoulder as I walked past. “You’re terrified you’ll never be as good as me. The favorite. To our family. To her. Your wife. She chose you. Married you. Remember that when you’re feeling weak.”

He gritted his teeth and jerked away from my touch.

“Stress isn’t good for the baby; I’m going to go out the back. Now go apologize for being a jackass; it’s good practice for the future when you fuck up because trust me, you will, but as long as you love her and take care of her, it doesn’t matter,” I muttered under my breath. “Wish fucking granted.”

Numb again, I walked out of the bathroom and down the hall, my face impassive as I snuck out the back, made my way to the car, and opened the door.

Eden was staring out the kitchen sink window when I looked over my shoulder, her eyes sad.

I gave her a quick nod.

And I left.

In that moment, I had no idea that it would be two years before I saw her again.

Those two years would build a chasm so deep between us, it would forever be impossible to cross.

I didn’t just give her up to my brother. I had now abandoned her because of him.

Not only her…

Him.

My unborn nephew.

I walked away that day and didn’t look back; if I did, I would have stayed.

Fought.

For not only her.

Them.

His family, which should have been mine instead.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Sweet as sugar, hard as ice, hurt me once and I will kill you twice.” —Mr. Villain

Eden

Now

I woke up with a start, eyes swollen, body sore from being so tense the day before. My vision was blurry as I rubbed my eyes then reached for my cell.

“Shit!” It was already eight, and Naz had Kindergarten at eight thirty.

I scrambled around the room, all thoughts of Romeo gone as I grabbed a baseball hat, pulled on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt, and sprinted into his room. Only to find his bed was empty. Panic struck square in my chest until I heard his usual giggling and talking.

With a frown, I jogged down the hallway.

Romeo was in front of the stove, flipping pancakes while Naz clapped.

What the hell sort of alternate dimension did I just wake up in?

My heart squeezed in my chest.

Did Romeo know?

Did he know that Tristian used to make breakfast for Naz? It was boy time or, as Naz always said, boy day.

Then again, every day was boy day to Naz.

He clapped. “Higher, Uncle Romeo! Higher!”

“Okay, one more time, just don’t tell your mom if it gets stuck to the ceiling.”

“Pinky promise.” Naz held out his hand.

Romeo reached across the bar, hooked his pinky in Naz’s, and then tossed the pancake a few feet into the air before catching it with a plate.

I watched in wonder as he handed Naz the plate and layered a lake of syrup all over.

“You just gonna stand there or come eat?” Romeo announced, without turning.

How did he know?

I shuffled toward them. Romeo was in last night’s clothes still; his hair a bit mussed, which just added to his ridiculous sex appeal while he poured a glass of orange juice for Naz then handed me a hot cup of coffee.

“What’s this?” I asked, peering into it.

“Coffee.” His voice was casual. “I figured you could use it this morning before your massage.”

My head shot up. “Massage?”

He checked his Rolex. “Yup, they’re expecting you at nine.”

“Nine,” I repeated. “But I have to take Naz to school; I have zero makeup on, I—”

He turned around and shoved a pancake in my mouth like a complete asshole. “I’ll take him to school. You don’t need makeup. You’re perfect