"Now sounds good," Damien said.
"Big brother has spoken," Michael said good-naturedly. "Five or ten minutes okay?" he asked Gary.
"No problem," Gary said. "The table is waiting."
"I need to go to the bathroom," Joel said.
"I can take him," Nicole said.
"I've got it," Rafe said. "Just point me in the direction of the closest bathroom."
"Down the hall to the left," Bella said.
Nicole watched after Rafe as he led his son down the hallway. "It's hard to believe how quickly he has adapted to being a great father."
"You shouldn't be surprised," Damien said. "The Medici men are overachievers in every area."
Emma leaned her head against his shoulder. "So true. I'm sure you've noticed that about Michael," she said to Bella.
"Fishing, fishing," Michael said under his breath as he slid his hand behind Bella's back and led her into the den. "Forgive my lovely sister-in-law. She may look sweet and demure, but she slayed the dragon known as Damien. Does anyone else want to wash up? There are three more bathrooms on this floor."
Moments later, the group took their seats at Michael's beautiful antique dining room table. Gary served the meal while Michael and his brothers caught up on their business activities.
Afterward, Gary served her cake for dessert.
"Delicious," Emma said. "You must give me your recipe."
"Me, too," Nicole said.
"So, you found a woman who can cook," Rafe said.
"It's news to me," Michael said, meeting Bella's gaze. "But I shouldn't be surprised. She's a multitalented woman."
"She worked for a charitable organization overseas for a year, is a licensed esthetician, and-"
Embarrassed by the attention, Bella stood and interrupted. "Does anyone want anything else?"
"More cake," Joel said, his face covered in chocolate.
Nicole laughed. "Maybe tomorrow. Bedtime, now."
"Mom," he protested.
"May I read him a bedtime story?" Emma asked.
"I'm sure he would love that," Nicole said then glanced at Bella. "Would you like to join us?"
"Sure, thank you," Bella said and watched as Nicole and Emma cuddled Joel. Emma read a story, then Bella read another before the boy fell asleep.
"Only a two-story night. He must have been tired from all the excitement," Nicole whispered as they left the room.
"Between Damien and Rafe playing with him, I'm surprised he didn't fall asleep during the meal," Emma said.
"Joel was very well-behaved during dinner for being so tired," Bella said. "Would the two of you like to go to the den or the keeping room?"
"Keeping room?" Emma echoed. "What's that?"
"A cozy little room off the kitchen with a fireplace. I suspect the men have taken over the den and are watching a game," Nicole said. "I vote for the keeping room. I noticed Damien really seemed to enjoy Joel. Rafe wondered if the two of you are getting interested in having a child of your own."
"He used to say never, then he progressed to maybe. Lately he says later." Emma smiled as Bella led the two women toward the kitchen. "I'm perfectly happy taking our time. I'm happier than I ever dreamed possible with Damien." She turned to Bella and sank into an upholstered chair. "What about Michael? How does he feel about children?"
Bella blinked. "Children?" She shook her head. "I wouldn't know. We haven't discussed them, but I know he's happy to be an uncle."
Nicole nodded. "How is Michael doing, really?" she asked. "Rafe has been concerned about him."
"So has Damien," Emma said.
"Really," Bella said, surprise racing through her. "His businesses are doing well and in terms of his health, he works out every morning."
"Yes, but-" Nicole hesitated and sighed. "He's really struggling with the investigation about Leo."
Bella nodded, but she wasn't sure what Nicole was talking about.
"Damien says the latest news from the private investigator really shook him up," Emma said.
What news? Bella wanted to ask, but felt foolish for not knowing. "Michael is a strong man," she said. "I can't imagine anything defeating him."
"I just hate that he continues to torture himself about this. I almost wonder if it would be easier if Leo were pronounced-"
"Don't say that," Nicole said. "Rafe suffers, too. And now knowing that Leo survived the train crash and could have been raised by an abusive man-" Nicole shuddered. "I pray every night that he will be found whole and healthy."
"And ready to reunite with his brothers," Emma said.
"Exactly," Nicole agreed. Silence hovered over the women for a long moment. "I'm glad Michael is doing well. From the way he looks at you, I'm sure you're part of the reason."
Bella wasn't at all sure of that. "Hmm. Would either of you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea?"
"I'd love some hot tea," Emma said.
Bella rose. "Let me get it for you," she murmured and went into the kitchen. Her stomach twisted with agitation as she put the water on and pulled some packets of tea from the cupboard. Why hadn't Michael discussed something so important to him with her? The logical side of her brain immediately came to his defense.
They were having an affair where he dictated the rules. He was completely within his rights to keep the matter about his missing brother private.
After the way he'd insisted that she reveal her painful story about Stephen, though, it didn't seem fair at all. Bella felt like a fool. Why hadn't he told her about the latest developments in the search for Leo? Perhaps because she wasn't truly important.
The knowledge stung. It shouldn't, but it did. She pulled two cups and saucers from the cabinet.
"I can take care of this," Gary said.
She shook her head. "No. I've got it. It's just tea."
"I insist," Gary said, pulling out a tray and cream from the refrigerator. "It is my job."
Stepping back, she smiled although she was still distracted. "Thanks. It's for the two women in the keeping room. I'm going to step out for a breath of fresh air. I'll be back in just a moment."
Bella scooted out the back door and took a deep breath of the chilly winter air. Closing her eyes, she tried to clear her head. She felt hurt and offended. She took another deep breath and wrapped her arms around her waist.
"Too many Medicis for you?" Michael asked, sliding his arm around her back. "Can't say I didn't warn you."
Wondering when he'd joined her, she glanced up at him. "You did warn me."
"Did someone offend you?"
"Hmm," she said and swallowed a wry chuckle. "I guess if anyone offended me, it was me."
His body stiffened. "You? How?"
"It's more about what happened before your family even arrived," she said.
"Is the guessing game necessary or do you want to tell me what this is about?"
"I could say the same about guessing games," she said. "Why didn't you tell me the latest news about Leonardo?"
His face immediately turned dark. "What about Leonardo?"
"The fact that he survived the train crash," she said. "You found that out the night you were sitting in the dark by the fire, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did," he said and moved away from her. "You need to understand that there are some subjects that are off limits."
"To me," she said, angry at herself because this just underscored the fact that she was temporary.
His expression closed up as tight as Fort Knox. "I won't allow this subject to contaminate my time with you. That's my final word."
Eleven
T hat night was the first time she shared a bed with Michael and they didn't make love. She lay staring up at the ceiling, torn between anger at herself and him. Why should he be the one to call the shots?
Because he was financing her aunt's business.It seemed, however, that he'd changed the rules when he'd said he wanted her to come to him. Add in the meeting with his family and she didn't know what was going on.
"You're a complicated, difficult man," she said because she knew he was still awake.
"I'm neither," he said. "I'm ordinary."
She laughed. "That's the most ridiculous thing you've ever said."
"I am," he insisted. "I have basic needs. Food, water, sex."
She rolled her eyes. "Along with control, wealth, and a few other things you probably don't realize."