Rome for Always (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Collection) (5 page)

He was talking to himself but it really didn’t matter. He
was in a great mood. And who wouldn’t be, after meeting a cutie pie like little
Maya?

He’d been surprised – no, shocked – when the baby came
to him without so much as a second of hesitation. There was not an ounce of
shyness in that little one. Just the opposite. She was the one who seemed to be
dictating all the moves, her bubbly personality shining through as she
alternated between Arie’s arms and his, keeping up a constant flow of baby
babble.

Not that he understood a word of it, but where he’d
started out apprehensive about meeting the child, he’d ended up actually
enjoying the time he’d spent with her. He’d thought it would take some time to
get used to her – it wasn’t like he was around babies all the time – but with
Maya it almost felt like he’d known her all her little life.

It was weird but he’d had an immediate connection with
her and when it was time to leave he almost couldn’t tear himself away.

And neither could Arie. She’d shed tears when it was
time to go. “So when can I take her home?” she’d asked as she rocked Maya in
her arms.

“It will be soon,” the agent said with a smile. “We have
to move cautiously with this little one. We’ve already met with one hiccup in
her processing and we want to make sure everything is clear before we move
forward. You understand, don’t you?”

“Yes, I understand. We have to do what’s best for Maya.”
But even as she nodded Arie was staring at the baby with eyes full of longing. “But
how soon can I have her? Please make it soon.”

That got her a gentle laugh. “I know you’re anxious but
give it some more time.  Just a few more months. Promise.”

“Months.” Arie said the word like it was a lament.

That was when Rome stepped in. “The timing is
reasonable, Arie. The agency needs to do its job. And besides,” he put an arm
around her shoulder, “it will give you time to get yourself one hundred percent
ready for the baby.”

Arie looked up at him, seeming to give his words some
thought, and then she sighed. “I guess you’re right. I want to make sure everything’s
perfect for Maya.”

And that was how he finally got to pry her away from the
prize in her arms.

It was a pensive Arie who traveled back to New Orleans
with him next day but when he took her home to Bayou House she gave him a brave
smile. “I’ll be counting the days,” she said, “but at least I’ll be counting
them with you.”

She couldn’t have known it but those words made him feel
good. She was beginning to rely on him, drawing strength from his presence in
her life, and that was exactly what he wanted. He would be there for Arie no
matter what, and it seemed she was finally beginning to accept that. And he was
glad.

When he drove out of the driveway Rome made the quick
decision to swing by his office. It was almost five o’clock, pretty much the
end of the workday, but he had a few loose ends to tie up and it wouldn’t hurt
to get them out of the way so he could start fresh in the morning. He should be
exhausted but instead he was feeling restless. He might as well burn up some of
that extra energy clearing his desk.

By the time he navigated traffic and pulled up in front
of the Belitalia office five o’clock was long gone. With the mood he was in, he
didn’t mind at all.

Instead of taking the elevator he bounded up the stairs
to the third floor then headed for the executive suite. When he saw Iyana
standing in front of his office door he pulled up short. “Hey, you’re still
here? I thought you’d be long gone.”

His assistant rolled her eyes. “When have you ever known
me to leave office by five o’clock?”

He chuckled. “True. Anyway, get outta here. I’m sure
there’s a couch at home calling out for you to sprawl off on top of it.”

“Yeah, I’m going,” she said, stepping away from his door
so he could pass.

But then, just as he entered his office and was heading
toward his desk she stopped him. “Uh, Rome, may I ask you a question?”

“Shoot,” he said as he turned to glance at her. “What’s
up?”

For the first time since he’d known her, Iyana seemed
hesitant. “Forgive me for being nosy,” she said, “but the day before you left
and you were  on the phone, did I hear you say something about a baby?”

That took him by surprise. He wasn’t in the habit of
discussing his personal life with his employees but, with her direct question,
Iyana was challenging that policy. Eyes narrowed, he studied the woman’s face. How
much exactly had she heard?

“Uh huh,” he conceded with a brusque nod. “You heard
right.” Then he proceeded on his path to his desk. That was as much as he was
going to give. As great an assistant as Iyana was, Arie and the baby would not
be up for discussion.

“Oh,” she said softly, “I thought so.” Still, she
hesitated in his doorway. “I’m just glad it wasn’t my mind playing tricks on
me.” Then, still looking thoughtful, she turned and walked away.

Rome frowned. Now what the heck was that all about? But
then he shrugged and sank into his chair, and Iyana and her question were
forgotten in the mountain of paperwork piled on his desk.

That evening Rome didn’t leave office until after eight
o’clock and by the time he got home, showered and ate he had just enough energy
left to climb into bed and crash for the night. With all the meetings he had
scheduled, tomorrow would be a long day.

He was in deep sleep, probably drawing his second or
third gear, when the ringing of the phone had him jerking awake. He gave an
involuntary groan and reached over to grab it before it gave him a headache.

“Hello.” His voice was thick with sleep and he blinked,
trying to drag himself back to wakefulness. He glanced at the clock on the wall.
Three-fifteen in the morning. This had better be damn important.

“Rome, it’s your mother. I’m afraid I have bad news.”

“Wh…what’s wrong?” A sudden fear gripped his heart and
his mouth went dry.

“It’s your father. He’s had a stroke.”

“Oh, shit.” The word escaped before he could stop it. “How
is he? Where is he?”

“He’s still at the hospital. He’s conscious and the
doctor said as long as we keep him stable he should soon be on the road to
recovery.” Lily Milano gave a shaky sigh. “But he’s been asking for you, Rome. Can
you come?”

“What kind of question is that? There’s nothing that
would keep me from Papa’s side.” As he spoke, Rome was sliding out of bed and
padding across the room to his walk-in closet. He would be home only as long as
it would take him to throw some clothes into a bag and then he’d be on his way
to Italy. His father needed him and he planned to get there as fast as his
private jet could take him.

The flight to Italy was like torture for Rome. The plane
could not get there fast enough. As soon as they landed he hopped into the
waiting car and sped off to the hospital. There, he found his mother,  his
nonno
and
nonna
, all three of his brothers and one of his sisters. They filled
the reception lounge of the hospital’s private wing.

He didn’t even bother with greetings. He just walked up
to his mother and hugged her. “How is he, Mama?” His heart pounding, Rome held
his mother tight, afraid of what she would say next.

Lily pulled out of his arms and peered up at him. “It’s
okay, Rome. You can breathe now. He’s been through the worst and is recovering
now.”

It was only then that Rome exhaled. Then he looked
around the room. “So what are all of you doing out here?” he asked. “Shouldn’t
you be with him?”

Lorenzo shook his head. “Sophia’s with him right now. One
at a time, they said. We have to take turns going in to see him.”

Rome regarded his brother and he could see the tiredness
in the younger man’s eyes. In fact, they all looked beat. It was obvious they’d
suffered during the last several hours, maybe as much as he had. They’d all
been doing some serious fretting for the patriarch of the family.

“May I go in next?” As Rome asked the question he
glanced at his mother but then he looked over at Lorenzo then at Dante then
Marco. When he walked over to
Nonno
and
Nonna
they both smiled
and pulled him into their arms. He turned to look at Lucia and she gave him a
nod.

“Go ahead, Rome,” she said, her voice low and grave. “You’re
the one he wants to see right now.”

It was another fifteen minutes before he was able to do as
his sister instructed. As soon as Sophia returned to the lounge he gave her a
hug and then he was striding down the hallway to his father’s private room. There,
he found Vittorio propped up on his pillows, his eyes glued to the iPad on his
lap.

He came to a halt just inside the doorway where he stood
staring at the man who was supposedly at death’s door. From the look of things
his father was still quite some distance away from said door. Rome had expected
to find him on his back, looking frail and helpless. No such thing. Apparently,
Vittorio had been knocked down but he was far from out.

Good to know.

“Papa, are you all right?” Rome said as he walked into
the room. “And why are you using electronics when you should be resting?” He
was frowning as he approached his father’s bedside.

“Rome, my boy. You made it to see your old man.”
Vittorio’s face broke into a broad grin. “Why that long face? You didn’t think
I’d chip out without seeing you first, did you?” Although he was smiling and
speaking cheerfully Rome could hear the strain in his voice.

That made his frown deepen. “Papa, you just had a stroke.
That’s not a joking matter.”

“And you always take things too seriously, Rome. Come
on.  You have to laugh at yourself sometimes.” Vittorio was still smiling but
at least he had the grace to put away the iPad.

“No,” Rome said, still as serious as ever. “There’s no
reason to laugh, not when you almost lost your life.”

That seemed to have the desired effect on Vittorio
because his smile wavered and then it faded altogether. “All right, all right,”
he said with an exasperated sigh. “You had to come in here and be the wet
blanket, didn’t you?”

Rome reached for the nearby chair, pulled it close to
the bed and sat down. “Sorry, Pa. When I got the news it just…” he shook his
head, “…scared the hell out of me. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you can look
back and laugh at this but when the news hit me all I could think was…I don’t
want to lose you.” He reached out to take his father’s hand. “You’re a tough
old bull but you’re my father. I can’t help but worry about you.”

Vittorio squeezed Rome’s hand. “Thank you, my boy, but
no need to worry this time. They say it’s a mild stroke so I’ll live.” Then he
grimaced. “The problem is, I’ll have to take these cursed pills for the rest of
my life.”

Rome squeezed back. “You do what you have to do to stay
alive and stay strong. We want to have you around for a very long time.” Then
he gave a low chuckle. “You’re not done getting grandkids, you know. You’ve got
a lot to live for.”

Instead of agreeing with him Vittorio gave a hrumph then
pulled his hand away and folded his arms across his chest. “Grandkids,” he
said, the laughter gone from his eyes. “And you’ll be the next one to give me a
grandchild, right? The only thing is, it won’t really be yours. It will be one
foisted on you by that woman you picked up back in the States.”

That made Rome sit back in his chair. He thought he’d
put that argument to bed. He couldn’t believe it was enough to put fire in Vittorio’s
eyes. He shook his head. “Let’s not talk about that. Right now you need to
focus on your recovery. The last thing you need is to get upset-”

“I’m already upset,” Vittorio spat. “Who knows? Maybe
it’s this darned baby thing that put me in the hospital. Why the devil did you
have to go pick up a woman saddled with a baby that isn’t even hers?”

Rome sucked in his breath, the words like a slap to the
face. Vittorio had crossed the line with his stinging remark but Rome would not
respond, not just yet, not when his father was lying in a hospital bed just
barely recovering from his stroke. Fighting to control his anger, he clenched
his teeth and glared at his father who looked like he’d gotten his second wind.

“How much do you know about this girl?” he asked. “First,
she bewitched you into a sudden engagement and then all of a sudden she brings
a baby into the picture. Next thing you know she’ll be telling you she has some
past life that could jeopardize your reputation.” He frowned. “Did you check if
she’d been married before?”

Rome was so pissed he didn’t answer. If he opened his
mouth he’d probably say something he would regret. He kept his trap shut.

“Why couldn’t you have married a nice Italian girl?”
Vittorio glared at his son, waiting for an answer.

When Rome finally spoke his voice was cool and stern. “You
shouldn’t have schooled me in the United States then.”

Vittorio’s scowl deepened. “I think you’re making a big
mistake,” he said, his voice equally cool. “I hope it’s one you won’t regret
for the rest of your life.”