Page 26 of Toxic Devotion
He got up and took a few wide steps away from the couch, turning so he could keep his eyes on Alicia and the baby even when he was by the window. Marco followed him, arms wrapping around his middle as he tucked himself against Neil’s side.
He breathed out and wrapped his arm around Marco, bringing him closer. A kiss to his cheek had him smiling as heturned his head to meet Marco’s gaze. Those brown eyes sent warmth through his whole body.
“It’s a song Mamma used to sing to us when we were little,” Marco said, nodding toward Alicia.
Neil found himself stuck staring into Marco’s eyes. His heart felt so full when he was around him. His soul felt at rest. He felt at home wherever Marco was. He’d never had a home. Not until Marco walked into that hotel bar and left with his heart.
He threaded his fingers through Marco’s hair and leaned in for a kiss. Marco’s lips were soft against his, the scruff on his face a rough contradiction.
“Hey. Not in front of the baby,” Alicia whisper-yelled at them.
Marco pulled away with a huff of laughter while Neil couldn’t stop smiling.
The baby was fast asleep again, looking perfectly happy in his mother’s arms. He had her nose. He had tiny hands and feet, and he was adorable. Most of the time. He could imagine him getting into trouble the way most kids did, though he was also a Serrano, so he’d probably do worse things. Things that would make Alicia full-name him to get him to stop.
“Have you thought of a name?”
Alicia looked up, gaze on Marco as she said, “Durante.”
He felt Marco freeze and then a tremor went through him.
“After Mamma,” Alicia added.
The tears in Marco’s eyes made Neil hold onto him tighter.
“Dante,” Marco breathed.
Alicia nodded, her smile soft.
Marco turned his head, eyes catching Neil’s. “Our mother’s name was Dantea.”
“It’s a beautiful name.”
Marco nodded. “So was she.”
“Tell me about her?”
“She was stubborn and fiery,” Alicia said and shook her head, smiling down at Dante. “She never asked for permission, and if Papà complained, she’d give him an earful.”
“She was a queen, and she knew it,” Marco added, a proud smile on his lips.
Neil nodded, hand on his mouth to hide his smile. That surely didn’t remind him of someone he knew. Not at all.
Marco smacked him in the arm and said, “Don’t you fucking dare.”
“What? I didn’t do anything.”
Marco’s eyes narrowed, a spark of desire spreading in them. His mouth dried out in an instant and as he swallowed, Marco’s gaze dropped to his throat and he felt a thrill rush through him.
“Oh great,” Alicia muttered and looked down at Dante. “Now your uncles are giving each other ‘fuck me’ eyes.”
Marco’s groan had Neil spluttering out a laugh because he knew as much as Marco wanted him, he also wanted to spend time with his nephew, and he couldn’t begrudge him that. The kid was cute. When he wasn’t crying or screaming at him.
Chapter Nine
Marco
HE WAS chatting heartily with a few of the restaurant’s patrons when he felt cold slither down his spine. He glanced over his shoulder to see someone at the hostess’ station that he didn’t want anywhere near his restaurant or his family. The consigliere wasn’t a man anyone should want near them or their loved ones. He was a brutal man but, most importantly, he was intelligent and observant. He would see things Marco needed to remain secret, and he would use it to get what he and his boss wanted.