Page 32 of Capone
Dice approached us, eyeing Cara’s container. “Don’t eventhinkabout it. And if you try sneaking some, just remember I’m always packing.” She tapped her hip, reminding Dice of the gun she had there.
Dice grumbled and walked away, as we laughed at the sullen look on his face.
A little girl who had Cara’s eyes approached us, watching Gabi with curiosity. She raised her arms to Cara, and she swooped her up. She and Gabi continued to stare at each other.
“Angel, this is Ms. Giovanna and her daughter, Gabi. Gabi, Giovanna, this is my daughter, Angel.”
“Hi,” they both said in unison with a wave.
“What about us, Aunt Cara?” Three identical little girls walked over with the same bright amber eyes as Cara and Angel.
“And these are my nieces, Mari, Abigail, and Naomi.”
They waved at each other with small smiles. Gabi seemed less nervous now that it seemed she’d found some friends. I watched with a grin as Gabi chitchatted with the girls, like long-lost buddies.
“Mama, can Gabi make meatballs too?” Angel asked.
Gabi whipped her head over to Cara in excitement. “Can I?” she bounced in Capone’s arms.
Cara turned to me, and I nodded my approval. Gabi cheered and tried shimming her way out of Capone’s arms. “Down, Pony.”
“Pony?” Cara questioned with a giggle.
“Don’t,” he growled at her.
Cara and Sara laughed before telling Gabi and me to follow them into the kitchen. Once we were inside the kitchen, Sara pulled out a drawer full of kiddie aprons. The girls all pickedout an apron before stepping up on a step stool. The end of the island was already set up for them.
“Okay, Gabi, these are the kitchen rules. You always stay on this side of the kitchen. Our side is too dangerous, and we don’t want you getting hurt. Okay?” Cara told her.
“Yes, ma’am,” Gabi replied.
By the time we finished showing the girls how to shape the meatballs we were joined by the other Ol’ Ladies and Cara’s mother. When Crystal asked who would tackle the desserts, I jumped at the task. Seeing how Cara reacted to my honeybuns had me on a high.
Once everyone was focused on their task, I completely understood why they had the girls set up on the other side of the kitchen. Everything was fast-paced on our side. The girls could easily get trampled from how we were moving around.
As I cooked, I would occasionally look over to Gabi to make sure she was okay. Every time, she was giggling and chatting with the girls. I guess my baby had found some friends.
I hadn’t thought much about when I would head back home, but I had a feeling it would be just as hard on Gabi as it would be for me.
CAPONE
“Sooo?”Thor drawled out as soon as I was seated at the bar.
He and the guys were all watching me with knowing smirks. They were like a bunch of teenage girls waiting for gossip.
I took a sip of my beer, pretending I didn’t see them watching and waiting for my answer. There honestly wasn’t much to tell. I had been back at work, getting back into my routine with myguys. After work, I would get food and spend time at the hotel with Giovanna and Gabi before heading home.
Never had something as simple as spending time with a three-year-old been so satisfying. Baby Girl was a character. She was always so animated when she talked to me. I found myself looking forward to laying eyes on her and her mother.
Giovanna and I hadn’t really talked about the status of our relationship, but I think it was pretty clear that I cared about her and her daughter. Today, when we were at my home, I was at peace having them there. Hearing Giovanna just a few feet away, clinking the pots and pans as she cooked, my house felt like a home.
“Are you going to say something?” Thor snapped impatiently, breaking me from my thoughts.
“What exactly is it you want me to say?” I raised my brow at him.
“Anything. You act like you just didn’t walk in here like a family. You better tell us something.”
The guys around us laughed because he was dead serious. He needed to stop spending so much time with Cara and the Ol’ Ladies. He’d become one nosey bastard, always prying in someone’s business.
