Page 31 of Marcello
“How is Abel doing?” Vincent asked.
I smiled at my friend and coven master. “It’s…a work in progress.” I offered. “Physically, he’s fine. He wasn’t expecting twins but seems happy about them. He?—”
“He. What about you?” Vincent asked, interrupting me.
“I’m just thrilled to have my beloved. The twins we will be welcoming soon are a bonus.”
Vincent stared at me for a moment before nodding slowly. “And how is he adjusting? We haven’t seen him but the once. Is he contacting his friends in Montana?”
I tilted my head to the side. “I…” I tried to think about that. I hadn’t seen Abel with his phone. “I don’t think he has.”
“Why not? That must be difficult for him. I understand it is my doing that he’s here, but I never meant for him to become completely isolated. Is he not willing to join the others for meals? What about Mazzi? They are both pregnant, and although Mazzi has been with the coven a bit longer, he could use a friend. Or even Rio.”
I furrowed my brow. “What is up with him?” I asked. “And do you have any news on Sandro?”
“Rio has asked to stay permanently. I’ve granted his request because I cannot see any issue with having another warlock in the family. As for Sandro, we’re still looking. His phone is still off, which makes things all the more difficult.”
I was worried about Sandro. I knew Vincent was as well. Vittorio’s death had been difficult on him, and despite the help we had tried to offer, he’d put up walls and pushed us away.
“We can discuss Sandro more in a bit. I really wish to talk about your beloved.”
“What about him? He’s in the room reading the book Rio gave us about omega pregnancies.”
“Not what I meant. I want to know how he’s really doing? I have no doubt that he’s happy with having his mate, but he has had to leave everyone behind in doing so.”
“What are you implying?” Abel had said he was happy to choose me over returning to Montana. Had I missed something?
“I’m saying that despite the fact that your beloved is happy being with you, he still left everyone. Has he had the chance to talk to any of them in any way?”
I shrugged. “I haven’t seen him call anyone if that’s what you’re asking.”
Vincent looked up at the ceiling. “Marcello, you are one of my oldest friends, but you are not normally this obtuse.”
I glared. “That’s rude.”
“It’s true,” Vincent shot back. “Your beloved’s phone does not work here. Have you gotten him one that does? Or given him a tablet so he can be in contact with his friends? I know for a fact he had some with him the night that Mazzi and Naldo grabbed him.”
I froze. It hadn’t even occurred to me to check with him to see if he had called someone or even wanted to. We’d been so wrapped up in one another, I’d just assumed…
I stood. “I need to go,” I said absently. Vincent didn’t say anything as I left his office and hurried toward the staircase. I didn’t even pause once I reached the base of them; I rushed upward toward my beloved. It wasn’t such a dire situation that I needed to use my vampire speed, but I did feel the undeniable urge to get back to my beloved.
I opened the door to our room without a thought, and Abel jumped. Immediately, I felt terrible that I’d startled my beloved.
“I apologize,” I said as I held up my hands. “I would never harm you,” I said without a thought.
Abel closed the book and set it beside him on the sofa. “I know that. I wasn’t expecting you back anytime soon. That’s all.”
I nodded. “I realize that. I have to ask something though,” I said as I crossed the room and knelt in front of my beloved. I reached for hands and gently cradled them in mine. “Mio angelo.” Abel grinned. “You are here in Italy with me,” I said. “You have been here just over two weeks. It has been an intense, short time, but one I cherish.”
Abel’s smile started to fall. “What’s wrong? Are you kicking me out or something?” Abel asked, completely throwing me off. Why would he think such a thing? “It’s because of the twins, isn’t it? I warned you that fox shifters often have multiples. I can’t change that.”
“What? No. Where is this coming from?”
“I know you’re not happy about the pregnancy. Well, maybe a little, but I know you’re upset about something.”
Any thoughts I had about asking him if he wanted to call his friends back in Montana went out the window at that comment. “Why would you think I’m upset about you carrying my children? I’m ecstatic that you are pregnant with our twins.”
Abel blinked at me several times. “But you…when we were in Rio’s office, you didn’t seem overly excited about things. Andyou kept glaring at him. And when I smiled up at you, it didn’t seem as if you were overly happy about any of it.”
