Page 79 of Hostile Devil
My eyes shoot to the doorway as Teresa Souza glides in, her shrewd green eyes settling on her debilitated son. An elegant, green-colored dress loosely hugs her curves from neck to shin, cinched in at the waist with a black Chanel belt.
Shiny sable hair skims proud, drawn back shoulders and her spine’s poker straight. But it’s the look on her face when she assesses Giovanni’s state that separates her from her mafia composure and reveals a loving mother.
“Mrs. Souza.” I blush for some weird reason. Probably because this woman intimidates me by simply strolling into the room.
I blink at her, shock all over my face. Of course, she’d visit her son after he almost died. It just wasn’t on my radar since I don’t really remember my mother––and this is the first time I’ve encountered his.
Matheus moves in behind his mother, a playful smirk twitching his lips and his chest rising silently with a quiet laugh. He knows this is a big deal for me and is clearly amused at my stunned expression.
Still staring at Giovanni, she lowers to sit with her knees pressed together. She holds her chin high and crosses her ankles. I glance down at her stiletto heels, in awe of her polished elegance.
“He adopted a young boy?” Her brows rise as she finally meets my gaze.
I nod and swallow, feeling bone-deep exhaustion. “Yeah. His name is Leo. He’s a special kid.”
She smiles, but the corners of her mouth barely rise. “Much like my darling Giovanni...” Her chest lifts slowly as she inhales. “As a mother, there was only so much I could take. After Elias murdered his dog, I bought him a puppy and kept it at my place, away from his father. I told Giovanni it would be our little secret, that his Papá would never know about it.” Her throat bobs. “But he wouldn’t go near the poor thing. He even told me he would stop visiting Mag Mel if I didn’t get rid of it. For a while, I thought his father had succeeded in destroying his beautiful heart.”
Teresa splays jewel encrusted fingers over her heart like it's breaking. “One day, I took Matheus for a walk in the wild gardens at the back of my home and found Giovanni on his knees. When he heard his little brother shout for him, he jumped to his feet, cradling a wild rabbit in his hands, and staring at me with a look of pure horror on his sweet face. As if I’d caught him caring…” Her eyes turn distant, lost in the memory. “There were carrots at his shoes and a bunch of hand-picked leaves. That’s when I knew he’d become the master of secrets.”
She continues, patting Matheus' hand when he sets it on her shoulder. “Secrets that even his mother would never learn. And as much as that fact saddened me, I was happy too, because it meant Elias hadn’t robbed my son of his humanity. He still felt something inside.”
Her gaze returns to mine, darkness powdering her expression. “I was okay not knowing what he was hiding, as long as he kept in touch. I know what sort of man he is and what he’s capable of. On the outside, he’s a despicable monster and on the inside, he’s still that little boy who just wanted to love his brothers.”
She falls silent, studying me with the eyes of a committed mother. The pivotal female in all their lives. A lump forms in my throat and I helplessly drop my eyes to the ring on my finger.
“That ring belongs to my son.” She narrows her gaze. “It only leaves his finger when he dies. And he’s not dead.”
“He gave it to her, Mama,” Matheus tells her, hunkering to eye level beside his mother. “Like a wedding ring. He wrote a contract, signed it, and even bled over it.” He gently squeezes her hand. “It was a special moment.”
Teresa’s pupils flare as he speaks up for me. “I know what he did. André seems to think they’re perfectly matched… but that ring… he’s not dead, Matheus.” Her voice trails off.
I find my voice and link my fingers with Giovanni’s for courage. “The ring was a last=minute gesture when he was bleeding out. I’ll give it back.” I release him, easily slide the ring off my finger, take his hand in mine, and push the ring over his knuckle. And not to the original finger. No, I return it to his fourth finger to replicate the exact spot he’d left it on me.
Teresa catches my eye, the intensity strong. I can’t tell whether she’s angry he gave it to me or relieved it’s back where it belongs––that he’s still alive.
Unclasping her hands, she stares at her own fingers, her expression contemplative. “Did he ask you to marry him before Lozano’s boy attacked?”
I shrug. “Giovanni told me he’s not into weddings. But we shared simple vows, and he made me sign his contract. I didn’t care about any of it. Really, I didn’t. I just wanted to take him to the hospital. He told me he loved me. He actually admitted it… I don’t know what that was in the library, but it felt like a real commitment for both of us.”
The corner of her mouth twitches and a gentle laugh surprises me. “Weddings are definitely not his thing. However, there is a big difference between a wedding and a marriage. My sons don’t conform to society and its limitations. They are powerful men who do whatever the hell they want. If he made a verbal commitment to you, then it is real. And from what Matheus has told me, his love for you was the one secret he couldn't keep to himself.”
Her gaze drops, and she slowly removes a ruby and diamond cluster ring from her forefinger, holding it out before me. “This belonged to my mother. I’d like you to have it as a replacement for the ring you kindly returned to my son.”
My chest tightens at the sight of the pretty ring sitting in her palm. “I can’t accept that, Mrs. Souza. Not if it was your mother’s. What if I lost it?”
“Then my son would buy you another one.” Teresa rises when I take it, her movements graceful as she fixes the other rings on her dainty fingers. “But something tells me you’re not careless with the things you love. Am I right, Mrs. Souza?”
My belly flips at her acknowledgement of my place in Giovanni’s life. I nod and stand too, clutching the ring in my fist. “You should know…” I say softly. “He didn't tell anyone about Leo, because he was afraid of what his father would do. It’s not that he didn’t trust you with his secret. I think he felt like he was protecting his son and you.”
A flash of something unreadable passes behind her eyes, her composure faltering for a split second. She glances over my shoulder to where Giovanni is resting and then her observant eyes find mine again.
Clearing her throat, she takes a step forward, her nails brushing my temple as she gently strokes a lock of hair away to study each of the bruises I wear on my face.
“You’re a warrior. And no one is more deserving of his love than you. We will celebrate your union when Giovanni drags himself out of that bed.” Her eyes crease at the corners as a soft smile tugs at her lips. “Welcome to my family, India.”
Herfamily.
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