Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“She is…she is ours,” Alessio replied, rubbing a finger gently over Princess’s plump rosy cheek. “She is so perfect,” he continued.
I agreed. Perfect. That she was.
When it was clear she’d had her fill and was almost asleep, Alessio helped me tie my bodice again.
Princess blinked her eyes sleepily, and then they closed. She was asleep in mere seconds.
I pulled her up and buried my nose in her tiny neck. Breathing in her sweet baby smell, I smiled and then whispered ever so gently, “I love you, my sweet baby.”
I held her for as long as I could. But sleep and tiredness took over me. There was no helping it. I was going under faster than I wanted.
Alessio quietly took her out of my arms, and I dreamily saw him carrying her to her crib. After placing her down, he came back to my side.
“Go to sleep, Angel. I will be watching over both of you,” he muttered softly to my ear.
He kissed me on my lips. I savored his taste before closing my eyes and succumbing to my sleep.
I had no fear. No panic.
Only love. I felt fulfilled.
I felt safe under my husband’s watchful gaze.
I knew he would protect me and Princess. We were both safe and loved by this ruthless man.
Chapter 34
My head was drowsy when I woke up. Blinking my eyes open several times, I tried to stare around the dark room.
Only a lamp was on.
I turned my face to the side to see Alessio sitting on the couch next to my bed. He wasn’t alone, though.
In his arms, Princess laid there. Actually, she was laid on his chest. Alessio had a hand supporting her head and the other over her butt.
Her cute round cheek was pressed against Alessio’s chest, her eyes closed as she slept soundly.
“You’re awake,” Alessio murmured quietly.
“Was she crying?” I wondered out loud.
Alessio shook his head. “No. I just felt like holding her.”
It appeared like this would be an everyday occurrence.
“How long was I asleep for?” I questioned, trying to sit up.
He stood up with our baby girl still held tightly in his arms. “About an hour. Everyone is waiting to meet you and Princess.”
My eyes widened, and I smacked my forehead. “Oh no. I fell asleep. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t they come in? They could have met Princess while I was sleeping.”
Alessio placed Princess back into her crib and came to my side. Placing a kiss on my forehead, he smiled. “I forbid them from coming in. They would have disturbed both your and our daughter’s sleep.”
“That’s not nice. They have been waiting so long to meet her,” I fought back with a hard look.
Alessio shrugged. “Don’t care. You were tired, and that’s more important.”
“Call them in now. It’s time they meet the little one,” I replied with a sigh. I couldn’t help but smile though.
With a sigh, he went and did as he was told.
The door opened, and a few minutes later, everyone started to pile in.
Lyov and Isaak practically pushed everyone aside and came inside excitedly. Poor Viktor was crushed against the side of the door.
Then in came Viktor and Phoenix. Nikolay and Maddie were last.
“How are you feeling?” Lyov asked, coming to stand in front of my bed.
“Tired but happy. I can’t wait to go back home,” I replied.
He nodded. “Of course.”
I saw his eyes seeking the crib. When his gaze found it, he looked at me, as if asking for permission. With my nod, he walked over there.
Alessio was already standing beside the crib protectively.
Isaak came to my side and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Thank you for giving everyone this gift. I haven’t seen Lyov this excited and happy in years. Decades.”
My eyes blurred with unshed tears as I watched Lyov stare at Princess. He was speechless and held a fist to his mouth. I knew he was trying to hold in his tears.
Isaak walked over to the crib too, standing beside Lyov.
“She is a beauty,” Isaak announced proudly.
“Why is everyone calling her beautiful? Newborns look like a bunch of old potatoes,” Viktor drawled with a laugh.
Did he just call my daughter ugly? That earned him a fierce glare from me.
“Move. Let me see the potato,” Viktor said. He sauntered to the crib and stood beside Alessio.
And then silence.
“Potato, my ass,” Maddie chuckled in my ear.
Viktor’s eyes widened, and he froze. He looked completely mesmerized, just like the other three men standing around her crib.
I noticed that Phoenix had made his way there too. Only one person was missing.
When my eyes met his, I found him leaning against the wall in the far corner. Always alone. Always reclusive.
“Why are you there?” I asked softly.
Nikolay shrugged, his eyes going to the crib. He looked like he wanted to be there, but he stayed still.
“Don’t want to scare her,” he finally replied, pointing at his scars.