The Pact Book 2

SYLVESTER

Once isn’t enough. Not today. Not ever. Not when it comes to Alexandria Romano. She’s got me all twisted up inside. She’s finally letting me in, and I can’t help but want more.

“Twice in one day?” Lucy’s voice is bright and cheerful as I step into the restaurant.

“Couldn’t resist,” I answer, and she gives me a long look, probably trying to figure out what I mean.

“Would you mind sitting at the bar? We’re all booked up.”

I can’t help but smile. That’s a rare occurrence.

“Not a problem.”

“Great. Follow me, and I’ll get you settled.”

Lucy leads me to the bar, where I find comfortable leather-padded barstools and a shiny gold bar to rest my feet on.

Two customers are at one end, enjoying their drinks and burgers, laughing together. At the other end, a young boy, maybe eight years old, is engrossed in a huge book.

“Take care of Mr. Ferraro, he’s one of our best.”

I catch the tail end of Lucy’s conversation with the bartender. She gives me a warm smile before she walks over to the young boy and tousles his hair.

He playfully swats her hand away.

“Behave, Noah,” she calls as she heads back to the front desk.

“Noah?” I say out loud, and the boy looks up.

“Yes?”

I gesture to the barstool next to him.

“Do you mind?”

His eyes flicker between me, the barstool, and the kitchen door.

“Um…no.”

“So what are you up to?”

“Math homework.” He grunts. “Mama said I had to.”

“Moms can be tough, but I bet she loves you a lot.”

“Of course she does.” Noah grins. “I’m her only love.” He says it with a hint of pride.

“What about your dad?”

His smile fades, and I instantly regret my words.

“He died.”

“I’m sorry.”

Noah shrugs. “It was before I was born. Mama says I have his eyes.”

I study him for a moment. He has striking green eyes, a trait I share with my dad and brothers. It’s a common Italian feature.

“So does your mom work here?” I ask, but before Noah can answer, Alexandria’s voice interrupts us.

“Sylvester!” Her voice is filled with surprise, but it’s her pale face that worries me.

She’s growing paler by the second as she looks between me and Noah. “Noah, go finish your homework in my office.”

“But, Mama—”

“Now!” she snaps, and Noah quickly says goodbye to me as he gathers his books and papers.

“So, you have a kid?” I ask once he’s gone.

“He’s seven,” she says softly. “The result of a one-night stand. My biggest mistake turned into my greatest joy.”

“Alexandria—”

“He’s off limits.” She cuts me off. “Whatever this is”—she gestures between us—“Noah isn’t a part of it.”

I want to argue, but the look on her face tells me not to, so I just nod.

“Can I get you some tiramisu?” She changes the subject smoothly.

We talk for hours. The restaurant is closed, and we eventually find ourselves back in her office where Noah is fast asleep on the couch.

“Oh, what terrible parenting,” she mutters.

“May I?” I walk over to the couch, my arms outstretched, and Alexandria considers the situation. Finally, she gives me a small nod.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

I carefully pick up Noah, trying not to wake him. I can’t help but smile at his peaceful sleeping face.

“I’ll call for a car. It won’t be—”

“I’ll drive you.” She turns to me with a glare.

“Sylvester.”

“It’s not up for discussion. Noah needs his bed, and my car is right outside.”

“You drive yourself?” She sounds surprised.

“Of course, love.”

She follows me silently out of the restaurant, locking all the doors. I buckle Noah into the back seat and give him my jacket to use as a pillow.

“You really didn’t have to…,” Alexandria says softly as I open the door for her.

“I like you, Allie. I just wish you could trust me,” I say honestly, and she looks down. I get into the driver’s seat.

We drive in near silence until Alexandria clears her throat.

“I like you too.” Her voice is barely a whisper. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s more that I don’t trust your line of work.”

“Sparrow Industries not up to your standards?” I joke, and she rolls her eyes. I sigh.

“I know it’s not always safe, but I’d never let that side of me hurt you. That’s one thing about Italian Mafia men—we’re fiercely protective of our women.”

She blushes slightly and gives me a small nod.

Finally, I turn onto the estate of the famous De Lucas and pull up to a security box.

“Name?” a man grunts.

“Hey, Juno, it’s Allie.”

“Ms. Romano? Little man with you?”

“Yeah, he’s all tuckered out.”

“Should I save this car on your list, ma’am?”

Alexandria’s eyes dart between the box and me for a moment, but then she smirks.

“Not just yet, Juno. Make him work for it.” She winks at me, and the man in the security box laughs. He wishes us a good night, and we drive in.

ALEXANDRIA

The moment we step into the mansion, Christian locks eyes with Sylvester.

I had offered to carry Noah, but Sylvester brushed me off, asking me to lead the way instead.

Now, I find myself caught in a silent face-off between my cousin and Sylvester, who is...well, I'm not quite sure what he is to me yet.

Rolling my eyes and letting out a sigh, I take Noah from Sylvester’s arms and head upstairs to put him to bed.

I remove his shoes, leave his clothes on, and tuck him in. When I return downstairs, I find the men still in their standoff.

“You two are being ridiculous,” Frankie bursts into the room. “Christian, offer the man a scotch, warn him not to hurt Allie, and then get your ass to bed.”

Sylvester’s lips curl into a small smile at Frankie’s words, clearly understanding her point.

Christian looks torn between obeying his wife’s orders and simply following her out of the room.

“Go, Chris. I’m okay.”

“If he—”

“He won’t,” Sylvester interrupts. “I’d rather lose a limb than hurt your cousin.”

Christian gives a silent nod, seemingly satisfied, and turns to follow Frankie.

“She’s quite the spitfire,” Sylvester comments, nodding in the direction they left.

“That’s why we love her,” I reply with a shrug and a smile. “She balances him out and drives him nuts all at once.”

“I know the feeling,” Sylvester says, returning my smile. “Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Absolutely.”

Sylvester leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. His hand weaves through my hair, holding me there for a moment before letting go.

“Until tomorrow, Allie.”

***

I manage to get about three hours of sleep. I end up snuggling next to Noah, unable to sleep in my own bed.

I’m reviewing the proposal Christian gave me about selling the restaurant to De Luca Corp when Lucy knocks on my office door.

I’m reading the proposal out of curiosity. I would still have control if I wanted it. It’s just financial backing; backing we need unless we want to fall into the same pitfalls my father did.

“Allie?” Lucy’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“Ferraro is here.”

“Sylvester?”

“No, the older one.”

I furrow my brow and check my phone. There’s no message from Sylvester, and I certainly wasn’t expecting his brother.

I step out of my office and freeze. He’s sitting at the bar, his hair exactly as I remember.

“Is that him?” I whisper, pointing to the man with his back to us.

“Yeah, he said he wanted to talk to you before Sylvester got here. Something about clearing the air.”

I feel the air rush out of my lungs and I quickly pull Lucy back into my office.

“Which Ferraro brother is that? Maximus or Jonathan?”

“Jonathan.”

Oh god!

All this time, Noah’s father has been a vague mystery. A one-night stand on New Year’s Eve in New York.

A fleeting memory.

Now he’s sitting in my restaurant as the brother of my...what, boyfriend?

“You need to cover for me.”

“Allie, you look pale.”

“I feel it,” I admit.

Does he know? Is that what he meant by clearing the air?

“Can you cover for me? Please, Luce.”

“Of course.”

Lucy leaves, and I call Christian, knowing there’s only one way to handle this.

I always dreamed of finding Noah’s father, but I never imagined he’d be part of the Italian Mafia.

I had told Sylvester that Noah wasn’t to be involved, but he’s already deeply entangled.

I just didn’t know.