Page 64 of Hidden Rocco
He stroked the back of her head like she was a delicate flower in the garden. “Then let me make that up to you.”
“Perfect.” Her eyes flitted closed.
A second later, she was in heaven as his lips claimed hers while the rest of the world disappeared.
Chapter 19
Three months later…
New York…
Raphael fixedhis blue tie over his white dress shirt as he glanced in the lobby mirror of the upscale hotel and restaurant.
Mica was right that most people in this city wore black.
More business-type people passed him as he rocked Jacob's stroller back and forth in the gilded halls.
Both the man and the woman curled their nose at the sight of a baby, but neither had any idea that Jacob, who he loved as his own, would one day master their fates.
Clueless fools.
Finally Mica came out of the bathroom in her knee-length black shift that clung in all the right places.
The diamond on her finger sparkled from the streetlights outside the windows and he offered his arm. She accepted and they strode into the restaurant together as she said, “Everything will be great. It’s good to let everyone see the engagement ring all at once so no one is calling each other with commentary and useless opinion that usually delays a good deal. You and I are the only ones that get a real say in our lives.”
They parked the stroller near the maitre’d and Mica picked Jacob up. “I'm glad I could choose a ring for you on my own.” The money from the settlement had come in, and he'd given most of it to her investors to handle.
“I’ll wear it with pride, my love.” She rocked their baby on her hip.
He might not have fathered Jacob, but after finishing Moby Dick, he realized he’d be the best dad he could be to this boy. Once they were ready, she turned and glanced down the one step from the five star Forbes-rated hotel into the Michelin-rated restaurant. “Good,” he said. “Let’s go.” They entered the foyer.
Mica smelled of fresh flowers that tickled his throat and he wanted to kiss her though she aimed for his cheek and said, “Rocco, this is my brother, Raphael. I’m going to bring Jacob to my parents for a minute. Be right back.”
A dark-haired man about an inch shorter than him shook his hand. As Mica departed with Jacob, Raphael said, “My sister told me you’re interested in security.”
Her hips swayed in that dress of hers and held his attention but he nodded and said, “Yeah. I’m watching out for my family.”
Raphael straightened his shoulders. “What about your country?”
This reminded him of high school when he'd talked to the Marine Corp recruiter in the lunchroom after hearing him in gym class.
Rocco stiffened and asked, “What?”
Raphael eased his posture a little. “You had high military clearance.”
“That was a few years ago,” Rocco deflected but his mind sharpened.
Was her brother offering him a job?
Mica looped her arm around his elbow and raised her voice as she said, “Raphael! Not now.”
Her brother patted him on the shoulder. “Look, here’s my card. Call me and we’ll talk about what you can do to help protect this country.”
Without another word Raphael went to speak to a woman who must be his wife.
Mica shook her head and squeezed his side in a small hug. “Raphael does some sort of spying for the government. I don’t really know what he does to be honest. You don’t have to do anything. Only call if you want.”
Interesting. Helping others sounded appealing. Especially if he could still keep his family safe too.
