Page 9 of Bread in The Oven

I look into his eyes, they’re blue and green and as I stare into them, it looks like they’re changing colors. He wraps his arms around me again. And instantly I feel like nothing can hurt me or Lucy.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I lay my head on his chest. I feel him kiss the top of my head and it makes my body tingle.

We get to the motel and head up to our room. I open the door and we see Lucy sitting on the couch watching TV. When she sees Romano, she jumps up and backs up.

“A-Are we in trouble?” she whispers as she starts crying.

I rush over to her and hold her.

“No, we’re not in trouble. In fact, we’re the luckiest girls around. This is Romano, he and his family are going to help us.”

Romano

Watching the way Lucy reacted to seeing me is worrisome. She bolted off that couch so fast that she almost smacked into the wall. What the fuck did their parents do to them? I want to find them so that I can beat the fuck out of them. And put the fear of God in them like they did to my girl and her sister.

I stay where I am, I don’t want to scare Lucy anymore than she already is. I’m a big guy and I probably scare people in general. But when you’re running from being abused? That has to add an extra layer to the fear.

Lucy slowly makes her way over to me and puts her hand out to shake mine.

“It’s nice to meet you, Romano.”

I smile at her. “It’s really great to meet you, Lucy. Simone has talked about you all day. Everyone’s excited to meet you.”

“Really?” she asks as a smile lights up her face. She has the same smile as my Simone.

Whoa. Where did that come from? 'My Simone’?

“Really. We should get back to the bakery. I think we’re going to the Cimaruta property for dinner,” I say to both of them.

“What’s the Cimaruta property?” Simone asks.

I explain how the Mancinis, Bastianinis, Athanasious’ and the Nikolaidis’ share the property. And how there’s ponds and rivers that they can swim in. Their eyes get huge as I’m describing all of it. I can’t wait for them to actually see it. Hearing about it is one thing. Actually seeing it is another. I heard the stories before I came here, and my imagination was nothing compared to the reality.

“It sounds so wonderful.” Lucy giggles.

I watch Simone as she watches her sister. The love in her eyes is unmistakable, I can see why she couldn’t leave Lucy behind. Maybe we’ll be able to help them find their brother and sister. I’ll have to talk to Sebastiano, Francesco and Salvatore. Sebastiano and Francesco are our tech gurus and Salvatore is a detective with the Chicago Police. If anyone can find them, they can. I want to say this to Simone and Lucy, but at the same time, I don’t want to get their hopes up yet.

We make our way back to the bakery, where everyone is waiting for us.

“This is my sister Lucy. Lucy, this is Caitríona, Rosaura, Gráinne, Connor, Arturo and Seamus.”

Lucy shyly shakes each of their hands. Caitríona, Rosaura and Gráinne embrace her. You can see the surprise on Lucy’s face, which transforms into the biggest smile. These girls are going to learn what it’s like to truly have a family and to be loved. I can’t stand the idea that a simple hug is something they’re not used to. I’m determined to change that, we all are. I learned that when I moved here—the Mancinis and Bastianinis love to hug. A lot.

We head to the property, which takes about fifteen minutes. I have a feeling the women are going to ask Simone and Lucy to come live with us. I’m not opposed to that idea, in fact I thinkit’s a damn good one. After all the introductions are made, the women take them inside to show them around.

A hand claps me on the back.

“So Caitríona tells me you like Simone,” Giacomo ‘Forza’ Bastianini, my club president says.

I drop my head. “That didn’t take long.” I sigh.

“She looks like she’s been really sheltered, I know you’ll be careful. And you also know we will support whatever you both want.”

I nod. “I know that. I don’t know what she wants. Or hell what I want. I just know there’s something telling me I have to be with her. I would never force her to do anything. I need to talk to her and make sure we want the same things. But I know she’s innocent in so many ways. She told us her story and I want to find her parents and show them what happens to people like them.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but Caitríona told me about your family. I’m so damn sorry that you had to go through that. I can’t tell you I know how you feel, I don’t. But we’re glad you’re here with us now.”

“Thanks, Forza. I appreciate that a lot. I was lost for a long time, I don’t even know what made me choose to come here. But I’m glad I did.”