Page 85 of The Prices We Pay
“So, we’re really doing this, then? All of us… together? Because I really want to fucking marry this woman one day.” I look between the three of them, eager to hear their answer.
“Like I said, we’re a unit.” Sebastian’s blue eyes stare into mine before looking at the two behind the desk. “We move forward as one. We build a lifetogether,however that may look.”
The four of us stare at one another, silently nodding in agreement, more than ready to take on this next adventure.
“What’s going on in here?” Josephine asks as she walks across the room toward us.
Luca pushes his chair back and holds out his arm. Joe sits across his lap and wraps one arm around his shoulders, while he wraps his around her waist. “Hey, Vita Mia. Just having a meeting.” He presses a kiss on her cheek. “I missed you.”
Joe giggles, and all four of us smile like a bunch of fucking teenagers. “You’ve literally seen me like half a dozen times since Enzo and I got here this morning.”
“I know,” he answers, point blank.
Who’s the love-drunk sap now?
“Well, don’t you all look adorable?” Clara announces, eyeing the five of us like a proud mama bear.
Joe doesn’t even attempt to move from Luca’s lap. We all know that Clara isn’t the kind to go tattling to HR. Shit, half the time, she joins right along with me in teasing Luca and Dante.
“What’s up, Claire Bear?” I ask.
“Just wanted to let you know that yourdeliveryis all scheduled and that I just emailed Dennis a contract for him to sign.”
“Oh, good job, Amico,” Luca praises.
“Anytime, bossman.”
“I just got him to stop calling me that.” Luca points his thumb back at Dante. “Don’t you start too,” he deadpans.
I chuckle as Clara continues, “You two”—she wiggles her pointy red nail at me and Luca—“have a meeting with marketing in ten minutes. And you, my dear”—her finger moves to Joe—“have a call on line one in your office.”
“Maybe we should just marry her,” I joke.
“Trying to steal my men, Clara?” Joe glares at her, but there’s not an ounce of heat behind her stare.
“Please,” Clara scoffs. “Not even all four of them could handle me.”
“Atta girl.” Joe winks.
“All right, well, I’m heading out in fifteen. The secretary from the marketing team will take notes of your meeting, and I’ll type them up in the morning.”She spins on her heels and sashays out of the office, calling over her shoulder, “See you all tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Clara,” all five of us say in unison.
“Why don’t you go take your call real quick, and then you and I will head home, Love? These three are going to be a while.”
“Okay. I’ll see the three of you in a bit.”
She kisses Luca, and he mumbles against her mouth, “See you soon.”
She stands and moves toward Dante. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he kisses her deeply. “Keep an eye on these two, will you?”
“Will do, Mama,” he grins and kisses her once more.
I stand as she makes her way around the desk. Before she’s even close to me, I reach out and pull her body toward mine, crashing our chests together. “That was hot,” I say as I look down at her. “I like watching you with them.”
“Yeah, well, you better get used to it then, Sweetie.”
“Ugh.” I tip my head back dramatically. “Call me that again, and I’ll have to miss my meeting.”
