Page 113 of Stolen Bases

I could get used to this, being out in the open.

“Aww. You two are so cute together.” Sofia shovels a spoonful of cereal into her mouth. She’s the best and has always been my support system, even more so now that we are adults.

“Too bad he’s a dead man,” Isabella mumbles, popping a strawberry into her mouth.

Zia Rose shouts, “Silenzio.”Silence.From across the island, she wags her finger between Isa and Val. “Not a word of this to Cat or Nico. Do you understand me?”

“Why aren’t you yelling at Sofia?” Isabella asks, offended.

I don’t blame her. She isn’t the one who runs her mouth. That’s usually Sofia’s job, who doesn’t really have a filter like her oldest sister, Valentina.

Sofia leans back in her chair. “Who do you think helped him get in?”

Val walks over and pushes Sofia. “You knew and didn’t tell us?”

“Hey! Why am I getting abused? She’s the one dating the enemy.” Sofia points at me.

My head is spinning as my cousins bicker back and forth.

“Enough,” Zia Rose shouts.

“Sorry,” the three of them mutter.

Sofia goes back to eating her breakfast while Val and Isa take seats on the other open stools, watching us as intently as they do one of the silly teen dramas they love to binge watch.

Zia Rose narrows her gaze on me. “We don’t have time for this. Your mom will be home soon.” She turns to Cam, who tightens his arm around me like a protective shield. “Let’s cut to the chase. Are you just sexing up my niece to get back at Nico?”

“Zia—” I start.

The fiery glare she gives me has the words on my tongue turning to ash.

“I’ll get to you in a minute, little girl.”

What the hell? I thought she understood.

Cam stiffens beside me. “With all due respect, ma’am, I won’t stand for you talking down to the woman I love like that. I suggest you watch your tone.”

My aunt smirks, her brown eyes sparkling.

Freaking Zia. She was testing him. I should have known better. She loves stirring the pot.

I place a hand on Cam’s chest and rub soothing circles over his toned pecs. “It’s okay. She meant nothing by it.”

He shakes his head. “No. It’s not.” He cups my face, running his thumb over my lips. “I don’t care if she’s your family. No one talks down to you like that. No one.”

Warmth floods my chest and my panties as my protective Romeo makes an appearance, ready to fight for me. I’m liquifying from the inside out for him, so much so that I can’t help but choke as I breathe his name. “Cam.”

“Talia.” He pronounces my name the same way he says “I love you”.“It’s my job to take care of you, to support you. You are the strongest, smartest, most kind-hearted person I have ever known. I will not stand by and let anyone disrespect you. It’s been like that since the first night we met, hasn’t it?”

I think back to the night we met at the restaurant. How he wanted to save me from that creep, Kyle, by kissing me. How he stood up for me when Nico yelled at me. The way he almost punched my brother when he later grabbed my arm. Keeping us a secret to protect me from hurting my family.

He’s had my back from the start. He’s in this with me. No running.

If my cousins and aunt weren’t here staring at us, I’d straddle his lap right here at the kitchen counter and kiss the ever-loving hell out of him. Instead, I settle for a quick peck as I wrap my arms over his shoulders.

Cam’s long arm coils around my waist, pulling me close as he rests his forehead against mine. “You and me, itty bitty. Right?”

“You and me,” I promise back.

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