Heartless Ending Book 3 of the Heartless Series

Chapter 12 - A Mother's Love

Romeo's POV

"It's the lady from the park, daddy." Luca-James tapped me on my arm wanting my attention from his knelt position on his stool facing behind me. Hannah looked scared for a moment not knowing what to do, I nodded at her once. She turned the stove off and took a seat at the island at the other side of the boy. I slowly stood and turned to face her, I knew she would have a weapon of some kind in hand, so I made no sudden movements and kept my hands in full view. "Rose..." Her eyes turned murderous, silencing me in an instant and I knew then that I'd over stepped. "Don't you ever call me that again." Her voice was calm, to calm bordering on homicidal. "Carmela please, just put the gun down and we can talk."

"Shit man, couldn't you have put some clothes on." Leo joked coming towards me his hand outstretched, I looked down at my appearance it didn't occur to me to put pants on before leaving the bedroom. "Good to see you too." He turned to Carmela after shaking my hand. "Camy, put the gun away. There are children present." She tucked the gun back behind her and joked back with him about cursing in front of him was just as bad. I was envious at their exchange, will she ever look at me with happiness in her eyes again?

"If you will excuse me, I'll go and get dressed." I left before I could say something, I'd later regret. I could still hear them from the other room, laughing and joking as pancakes once again being prepared and cooked. "Good start." Timo said from behind me. "Yea, the best." I defeatedly stated, running my hand through my hair. "You're not dead, I'd call that a win." He mocked punched me on my arm. "I only think I'm alive because Luca-James was there." He shrugged. "It's just Luca." I knitted my eyebrows together just staring at him. "She decided on just Luca for his name." Again jealously reared its ugly head. "Okay." I turned from him continuing to button my shirt up. "You've missed a lot. Now is your chance to redeem yourself, not to get petty and jealous." I huffed out loudly, I know he's right, but I still hated the situation.

When I got back to the kitchen Carmela was sat at the counter with Luca- Jam... Luca, and was putting topping on his pancakes with him. "Do you want strawberries?" She asked him in a loving motherly tone. I cleared my throat as I sat at his other side. "He's allergic to strawberries." I said in a small voice not wanting to discourage her from bonding with him. "Oh, well thank you. I'll remove them from the table." She wouldn't look at me as she said this but moved away from us taking the strawberries with her. "Mommy gave me strawberries. I had to go to hospital to see the doctor." Carmela winced at the mention of Melanie being his mother, but said nothing.

The rest of the morning was uneventful but heart-warming, I got to watch them play together mostly from a distant spot in the apartment, occasionally Luca would bring me into the mix, but I could tell she didn't want me there. It was going to be hard to separate them, but I had to soon and take him home, so I wouldn't draw suspicion to what I have done.

As we got ready to leave, I could see tears well up in her eyes, I didn't think and put my hand on her arm in a comforting gesture. She eyed my hand angrily and I removed it slowly. "Thank you for the photos, but never touch me again." She crouched down to zip up Luca's coat. "Remember the secret?" She asked him while smiling. He nodded. "Never tell mummy." They fist bumped and he giggled at her before running over to Hannah. "Goodbye Carmela." "Leave." Was her final word before leaving the room completely. I thought this would be so I could take Luca home and she wouldn't have to watch him leave her, again.

To my surprise he never mentioned where he had been to Melanie when she asked him, instead just saying he's 'been with daddy all day', before running to his room. Smart boy, I thought as I pushed passed Melanie to go put Luca to bed.

Carmela's POV

The door to my apartment felt different, not as I had left it. My brows knitted together wondering what was happening. Had Stefano found me? Had he come for me? I pulled my gun from behind me and slowly opened the door. It was unlocked. I side stepped silently into the entry way eyeing everything. I was glad I left the guys downstairs so I could silently approach this situation, the guys were too noisy and alert my prey.