Chapter 226

Serena “Can I hold her?” Vince used all of his strength to sit up straight. A few days had passed, and surprisingly enough, he was making quick progress.

That was the reason why I had decided to let him meet Siena officially. I placed Siena in his arms and watched as Siena snuggled against him. “I think she likes me!” Vince laughed proudly.

“I think she does.” I smiled back. She was familiar with Vince, which I wanted from the start. In a way, it was as if he had never left.

Although he was present as well, Christian returned to his duties, and all I wondered was whether he could keep his promise. Would this Berto situation really be over in a few days? Because it sure didn’t look like it.

Vince had a lot of catching up, but it was a relief that we didn’t have to tell him much about Berto or Lucio. According to him, he had heard everything.

“How is the other baby doing?” Vince questioned. For a second, my eyes turned big before the realization finally hit me. That’s true. He heard everything—including the news about my new pregnancy.

“I don’t know,” I spoke, flustered. “I don’t want to bother Christian, and I haven’t really found the perfect opportunity to make an appointment.”

Vince nodded and looked down at Siena, who rested her hand on his chin. “This little satan hit me...” He spoke. “I remember all of it.”

“You do?” I asked, surprised, completely ignoring his nickname for Siena. Of course, he did. Vince threw back his head in laughter. “Yes, and she punches like Christian!” He said. “She got a lot of anger for a baby.”

Hearing that comparison was supposed to make me happy, but the truth was that I didn’t want her to be like Christian. No, I wanted her to be Siena. I wanted her to have a normal childhood. Was I crazy for wanting that?

“I know I’ve said it countless of times already, but I really want to thank you and your family for everything you’ve done for Luis.” Vince began. “He looks so much more alive, healthy, happy…it’s amazing.”

“It is.” I agreed. “But we couldn’t have done it without your brother, Beau, and Isobel.” I acknowledged. “Your brother, Nic, took care of you—and Beau and Isobel did everything they could to make Luis happy.”

Vince scoffed. “My brother.” He sighed. “I’m glad he’s back, but I can’t believe our father had to die for it.”

I lowered my head, hoping he would drop the subject as I wasn’t prepared to talk about Fabio.

Neither of us had addressed what had happened and mainly lived in the present. “So it seems like Beau and Christian are pretty much inseparable?”

Vince had a jealous look in his eyes. “He could be here visiting me…but he’s working for Christian.”

He spoke. “Now that I think about it…other than my family, Christian, and my brothers…not a lot of people have visited me.”

“I can understand my father’s men because the Lamberti’s forced them to work for them—and they never really liked me anyway.” Vince began.

“But Beau, Isobel…” He started calling out endless names while I sat back uncomfortably. The truth was that one had betrayed him, and he had betrayed the other.

“I’m sure they’re busy, just give them some time.” I opened my arms and pulled Vince into a hug.

“And don’t worry about the other guys. They were all glad to hear you’re alright—and they just wanted to give you some space to breathe!”

“Oh, really?” Vince asked. “Yes, really!” I reassured him. “Besides, you don’t need anyone else besides me…not anymore.”

“Okay—but I think you’re squashing the baby.” Vince chuckled. He pushed me back gently and kissed Siena’s head. “She looks like you though…thank god for that.”

“Yes, thank god.” I snorted. “What on earth would we do if she ended up looking like Christian.”

I burst out in laughter while Vince reached for my hand. Shocked, I looked down at his warm hand and cleared my throat as Vince squeezed it.

Nope, I wasn’t about to do this again. Dario was already more than enough, and I didn’t want to deal with more misunderstandings. “Just so you know, Christian and I are doing fine…I love Christian.” I said the last part loud enough as I didn’t want to repeat myself.

“Yes, I know.” Vince shrugged. A slight smirk appeared on his lips. “I’m rooting for you, always have.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes,” Vince spoke. “And I know he’s done some stupid stuff, but I’ve never seen him this happy before—and he really does love you.”

“Does he really?” I asked doubtfully. Vince hummed. “Yes, and I had to hear about it for months.

Believe it or not—I was slowly getting sick of your name.”

“And I appreciate your company, but I think it might be better for you and Siena to lay low for a while,” Vince suggested. “At least until everything is safe?”

“Did Christian put you up to this?” I asked, startled. I supposed everyone around here shared the same opinion. Vince shook his head.

“No, but I’m pretty sure he feels the same.”

“But I want to stay here…with you,” I told him. At first, I was okay with the idea of laying low, but it was slowly becoming too much for me.

“I know, but you can’t,” Vince said. “Christian’s uncle…he’s crazy.”

“Thanks for stating the obvious.” I chuckled. Unfortunately, that was something I had already figured out a long time ago. Vince looked at me with a guilty smile.

“I just want you to be safe.” He spoke. There was no doubt it must’ve been hard for him to push me away like this, and I knew he was doing it to protect me—but what about what I wanted?

“Trust me, if Berto really wants to get me—he’ll go to my house and get me,” I stated. “Besides, I have all these people protecting me—so don’t worry about it!”

“I see.” Vince ended our discussion. “Also, I know it’s not my place—but I think you need to tell Christian about the baby as soon as possible.”

“I do?”

“Yes,” Vince stated. “I know you want to find a perfect moment, but it’s time for you to realize that this life isn’t perfect.”

I followed Vince's eyes and looked through the glass window. Christian was having a conversation on his phone, and as always, it seemed pretty serious.

“Maybe you have a point,” I whispered in acknowledgment. This life wasn’t perfect, and that was the reason why Vince spent months in a coma. If something were to happen to any of us, I would at least like for him to know the truth.

“You know, Vince.” I took a breath. “I’m glad you’re back…and I really missed your advice.”

Vince shrugged his shoulders. “Well, that’s what I’m here for.” He kissed Siena’s cheek. Siena let out giggles and buried her face in his neck.

“I think you would make a great dad.”

“Y-you think?” Vince blinked, confused. “I just woke up, and here you are telling me I’d make a good dad!”

“Yes, definitely,” I spoke. “I should hook you up with one of my friends!”

Vince winked. “Unless her name is Serena, I do not want to be with her.” He flirted shamelessly.

With flushed cheeks, I patted his shoulder and got up from the chair. “I do know one Serena, and she’s hopelessly in love with Christian—so good luck with that one!”

“Oh, wow.” Vince huffed. “Did you hear that, Siena?”

It was almost impressive how well he took rejection, but I was sincere. My heart only belonged to one man, and that was Christian.

“Wait here—I’m getting Christian,” I spoke. We came here to spend time with Vince, but as always, work got in the way of everything. “Just keep an eye on Siena for me.”

“Don’t worry. We’re getting along just fine.” Vince smiled at Siena. “Go and do your thing.”

I looked back one more time, but as expected, Siena was in good hands with Vince—giving me enough courage to leave the room. As I was about to call out Christian’s name, Marc approached him.

With a feeling of guilt washing over me, I hid behind the wall and did not make a single sound. I knew it was terrible to eavesdrop on his conversation, but I couldn’t hide my curiosity.

I had to know the situation with Berto, and since no one was telling me anything—I was forced to find out on my own.