Page 93 of Shield

Vin shoots a look over at Tommy, who sits in one of the chairs at the dining room table, his legs crossed, one ankle propped on his opposite knee, resting his chin on his hand. The corners of his mouth are turned up slightly in a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes as he nods in agreement.

“The plans that are on hold indefinitely until I get what Ineed,” Tommy says, his voice flat, edged with iron.

I shoot Matti a questioning look, but Matti raises his eyebrows and looks away. I’m not sure what’s going on with Tommy and his girl, Giovanna, but whatever it is, it’s clearly not going well.

Matti settles beside me on the couch, a protective arm around my shoulder. “Any progress?”

Tommy’s expression is grim, his eyes empty. “If I need you, I’ll let you know.”

Matti nods. “I’ll be there. I know I haven’t been around as much lately, but—”

Vin smirks. “It’s a lot of work taking care of a princess.”

I roll my eyes.Princess. Hate it.

As if he’s reading my mind, Matti squeezes my thigh and stage whispers, “He calls all women that. Probably because it’s too hard for him to remember their names.”

“Because he’s not very bright?” I ask, loudly.

“Never met a woman whose name I needed to remember,” Vin retorts.

“Wow, thanks,” I say, sarcastically. Vin is not my favorite of Matti’s brothers.

“Aw, princess, don’t be mad. You’re not ‘a woman.’ You’re Matti’s woman, and if you ever get off your high horse and take his name, then I won’t have a problem remembering it,Mrs. Dragovari.”

“If this is how you talk to all women, it’s no wonder you’re still single,” I gripe, nestling into Matti’s side as his arm tightens around me.

“Mrs. Dragovari.I like the sound of that,” Matti whispers, his eyes twinkling as he presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Well, no one has asked me, so…” I shrug, cupping my hands over my belly.

Vin and Tommy don’t know I’m pregnant. Only Matti and Dr. Rossi do, and Matti wants to keep it that way for now. Even though I want to tell my cousin, Sophie, I’m respecting Matti’s wishes. Since the Luminous job, Aurelio has been fixated on torturing his sons and Matti—and if he knew I was pregnant, I’d be on the top of his list.

Tommy is slouched on the couch, his knees spread wide. Normally, he’s a sweetheart under a polished, icy exterior, but he doesn’t look well. His shirt is stained, his jacket pocket ripped. He has deep dark circles under his eyes, and he looks like he’s lost 20 pounds since I saw him a few weeks ago.

“Tommy, can I get you something to eat? Some pastine, maybe? Something simple.” I speak softly, but he doesn’t move or respond and I look at Matti, worried.

“Hey, Tommy,” Matti says, loudly.

Tommy blinks like he’s waking from a deep sleep, trying to figure out where he is. “Yeah.”

“My wife is talking to you,” Matti says.

I smack Matti’s thigh as I get up from the couch. I hate that he’s still calling me that when he hasn’t even proposed, but there’s no way I’m going to argue in front of Vin.

“I’ll heat you up some pastine, Tommy,” I say, stepping over Matti’s legs and making my way to the kitchen.

“I could eat,” Vin calls after me, grinning.

“Good for you,” I snort, hip-checking him as I pass.

“Assault! You saw it!” Vin points at Matti. “Matti, keep your woman in check! She’s violent!”

“She is violent. You better watch your ass,” Matti deadpans.

“What if I’d rather watchherass,” Vin says, a huge grin on his face as he waits for Matti’s reaction.

Matti lifts his gaze from his phone, glaring at Vin, and hurls a throw pillow at him. Vin catches it, laughing.

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