Mira hugged her tightly. She fought back the urge to cry. “It’s true.”
Catalina grabbed Mira’s face staring into her eyes. “I can’t believe it,” she said. Tears were streaked over her cheeks. Franco walked up the hall in dark slacks and a blue shirt unbuttoned at the neck. He was a handsome man with deep olive skin and blue-black hair and dark brows. Mira let Catalina go. “You are gorgeous as ever. Married life is treating you well.”
Catalina blushed. She glanced back at Franco, then to Mira. “Franco you remember Mira don’t you.”
“Salve,” he said in a soft voice greeting her with a kiss to both sides of her cheeks.
“Ciao.”
“Look Franco, a precious Angelino. I’m in love. Ciao bella Eve. It’s Zia Catalina.”
Eve refused to acknowledge her.
“She’s not in the mood. Don’t bother her Catalina.” Giovanni said, stroking Eve’s back.
Mira shook her head. “What your brother means is he’s spoiled her already. Don’t worry she will warm up to you soon.”
“Ooooo, I can’t wait!” Catalina touched Eve’s foot. Eve peeked at her, then turned her head around abruptly. Everyone laughed. “Wait until Zia sees her, Gio. Oh a baby in the family. I can’t believe it."
“Here they are!”
Mira’s gaze sought out the man who spoke. Dominic and Lorenzo approached from the far end of the hall.
“Welcome home.” Dominic said.
“Grazie.” Mira answered. “This is where we belong.” She glanced to Giovanni who winked at her. He thrived on her support. Gone was the grumpy meanness. And Eve being in his arms softened him as well. With so many around her she kept her face lowered to his shoulder and her arm around his neck.
The men both walked over to Mira and kissed her cheeks as the others brought in the luggage. Lorenzo gave her a polite hug. “Yes, this is where we all belong,” he said confidently.
Catalina turned to everyone. “Lunch is ready. Let’s go to the terrace. I want it served out there. It’s a celebration!”
Chapter Six
Kei sat at his desk in his office staring at the phone. He flew back on his private jet after returning to the cottage and finding she’d packed hers and his daughter’s things then left with that bastard. He waited two painful nights for her to call him, and she never did. His stomach was in knots with worry. Kei reached for his water and swallowed down the clear liquid in his glass. His phone rang, and he reached for it immediately. “Yes! Yes?”
“Sir, a man is here. He doesn’t have an appointment. He says you are expecting him. I’m sorry sir. He won’t give a name.”
Relief washed over him and finally his racing heart stabilized. Kei cleared his throat. “Send him in.”
The door opened and Cheung Bojing walked inside. “Long time no see cousin.”
Kei rose. He hadn’t spoken to Bojing in years. He tried to keep himself separated from the days when they were truly family. As members of the Triad, a multifaceted Chinese crime syndicate, one could never wash their hands clean of the affiliation. The men embraced.
“If you called me, there must be trouble.” Cheung said. “Of course, I would come.”
“Is there any other kind?” Kei asked.
Cheung gave a wicked smile. “I certainly hope not.”
****
During the early dinner Eve loosened up. She refused to sit at the table in a chair stacked with books. And because they had no highchair to confine her she made a point to walk around, under, and sometimes passed over the table where everyone dined. Mira observed her with Catalina, Dominic, Lorenzo and then of course Giovanni, who managed to coax her pacifier out of her mouth to feed her from his plate. No one mentioned the whys and hows of Mira’s disappearance from their lives. The joy of her return felt genuine. And the smoldering look of desire and love in Giovanni’s blue eyes each time she caught him staring, gave her confidence to trust in the feeling.