Between The Flames ⚜️Il Paradosso Book Two⚜️

Chapter twenty-seven

"You're just the cutest little thing, aren't you?"

Antonetta's tiny hand latched around my index, her lips making gurgling sounds while blowing bubbles.

"And you've got your uncle Nicco's eyes," I added with a chuckle as the little balls of fire glimmered up at me, already questioning my disparaging the idiot.

"You're only a month old. You don't get to take their side just yet," I half-whispered against the soft skin of her face, inhaling her heavenly scent.

"I heard that."

Antonio moved away from the entrance, walking towards the bed, half-naked from the waist up and dripping in beads of sweat.
Patience. We've got this under control.

"Where's Adrian?"

I sighed, resting my back into the fluffy pillows aligning the headboard and gave him an exhausted side glance.

"In his room and finally asleep. That boy knows how to throw a tantrum when he can't immediately get what he wants. He has zero chill."

"That's why I hired three nurses to help you out, which you keep sending home. They would have spared you all the drama, Adriana. But you're persistent in being fully hands on."

It was true. This first month had drained so much energy out of me and I had to admit, every cell in my body was frazzled.

But I couldn't bring myself to trust anyone with them and there was no way to fight it.

Every time I'd try to take a shower, relax or get some sleep, I kept hearing their crying voices and sprinted to their rescue. As if they were in distress.

"You know, Aurora is really good with babies and she recently moved back for an extended period so if you're interested, I could give her a call."

I frowned, watching the angel in my arms slowly drift to sleep, her eyelids fluttering as if she was dreaming.

Which-she probably was. I mean babies can dream, can't they?
If so, I prayed they were nothing short of sunshine and rainbows. Although she was only a month old, I worried that she wouldn't be able to have a normal childhood. I wanted that for both her and her brother, who was next in line to this ridiculous chain that his grandfather had created.

Maybe there was a way to put an end to it. Cut the line short. Or maybe I was merely talking out of my ass and perhaps was better off staying out of a century's endeavor. A hierarchy, built by blood spills and sacrificial lambs that took their death with pride and honor.

"My little princess looks so peaceful when she sleeps," I cooed at the angel resting her puffy cheek on my boob.

A crackling came through the baby monitor and a muffled cough soon evolved into a cry. I squeezed my eyes shut.

Oh no. Please.

"It's not too late to give one of those nurses a call, Adriana."

I was lost in a daze, not realizing that he was standing at the foot of the bed and having a sudden urge to kick him directly where the sun won't shine.

"I would help you but I don't want to get this all over him," he pointed to his glistening abs that I glared at and he winked before he paced his ass to the bathroom.

"Antonio!" I seethed, cautious not to wake the only sleeping child.
But I want that all over me.

I need help.

Possibly an octopus with multiple sets of arms.

I haven't had sex in so long.

Focus, Adriana!