Primal Heat

by Piper Davenport

  “Ah...”

  “Hey,” Stoney said.

  I ignored him as I shook off my confusion and stalked to Felix’s bedside. I ran a hand over his forehead, and touched his cheek. “He looks so tiny,” I whispered.

  “Yeah. He’s good though,” Stoney said. “Well, physically.”

  I burst into tears and was surprised when Stoney pulled me against his chest. “He’s okay, Breezy.”

  “What happened?”

  “Not gonna fill you in on that, sweetheart.”

  “What?” I leaned back and met his eyes. “Why not?”

  “Not somethin’ you need in your head.”

  “Oh my god, it was that bad?” I asked, horrified all over again.

  He said nothing, just pulled me against his chest again and cupped my head, stroking my hair.

  “I’m going to homeschool him from now on,” I rasped as I sobbed into Stoney’s chest.

  “Don’t think you’re gonna need to go that far,” he said.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I found him—”

  “Wait. What?” I stepped back, needing distance. “I thought Luca did.”

  “Technically, I guess he did too,” Stoney conceded. “Your brother went off-book, so he needed to speak with his captain. I offered to sit with Felix until you got here.”

  “So, you know he’s your son?”

  He shook his head. “Haven’t done the test yet. Talked to the doctor about it today. He said if you okay it, he’ll do it all.”

  I nodded. “Okay. I’ll talk to him.”

  “Appreciate that.” He smiled gently. “I’m gonna head out if you’re okay.”

  “Oh. Right.”

  “I can stay—”

  “No, it’s okay. Thank you for sitting with him. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem. You take care.”

  I nodded and Stoney walked away. I crawled into bed beside Felix and pulled him against me. Just smelling his hair gave me all the proof I needed he was real and finally home.

  * * *

  A soft touch on my cheek jarred me awake. “Auntie?”

  I forced my eyes open and found Felix staring at me, his hands on my face. “Hi, baby.”

  “You’ve got stinky breath,” he informed me, and I couldn’t stop a laugh, turning away from him as I did.

  “Sorry, buddy.”

  “It’s okay. I prolly have bad breath too.”

  I met his eyes again and smiled, sliding off the bed, and grabbing my phone. It was nine. Obviously, the next morning since the sun was up. I had slept a good twelve hours.

  “How are you feeling, sweetness?” I asked.

  “Hungry,” he said. “The nurse said I could have chocolate pudding. Can I?”

  “You bet, bud. You can have whatever you want.”

  “I can?” His eyes grew wide and he bit his lip. “Can I have ice cream?”

  “I don’t think they have ice cream here, but I’ll take you for some when we go home.”

  He pumped a fist in the air. “Yes.”

  “When did the nurse come in?”

  “Little while ago. We had to whisper so we didn’t wake you.”

  Before I could respond, the nurse walked in with two containers of pudding. “I brought you two.”

  “Wow,” Felix said. “Thank you.”

  I smiled, stroking his hair. “How is he?” I asked the nurse.

  “He looks good. The doctor thinks he can go home in a few hours,” she said, taking his temperature. “He’ll be here in a few minutes, so he can talk to you about everything.”

  “Okay, thank you,” I said and focused back on Felix.

  “Pudding for breakfast is the bomb,” Felix said, his mouth full of chocolatey goodness.

  I chuckled. “The Nineties called, they want their catch phrase back.”

  Felix laughed. “You’re a goof, Auntie Brina.”

  I grinned. “I’ve heard that somewhere before.”

  “Uncle Luca,” Felix provided.

  “Yes, you’re right. It was him,” I said in mock surprise. “He’s one to talk.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Luca asked, strolling in and I didn’t miss the nurse virtually swoon with lust. My parents were right behind him and I accepted hugs from both of them.

  “Luca!” Felix squealed, chocolate flying out of his mouth. “Nonna! Nonno!”

  I grabbed a napkin and wiped his face as Luca wrapped Felix in a bear hug.

  “How’s my favorite six-year-old?” Luca asked.

  “I get to have pudding for breakfast,” he said with excitement.

  “I see that,” Luca said, hugging me.

  “And I can watch all the TV I want,” he said, glancing at me for permission.

  I smiled. “Even though you’re being sneaky right now, I’m going to allow it.”

  He was smart enough to give me a sheepish smile. “Thanks, Auntie.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetness.”

  His doctor walked in a few minutes later and Luca and I stepped into the hallway with him so we could speak privately. My parents stayed with Felix.

  “Overall, Felix is very lucky. He has a few small bruises, but no signs of sexual trauma, or any other kind of physical trauma, and he had enough ketamine in his system to keep him out, but not kill him. Only time will tell what emotional scars he will have, and I’ll give you a list of some pediatric counselors I trust.”

  I nodded, tears streaming down my face, while Luca stood stoically with his hands in his pockets. “You’re sure they didn’t... hurt him?”

  “It doesn’t appear so,” the doctor said. “Again, the psychological side of things will manifest itself in several ways, so just keep him close and watch him.”

  “Okay,” I rasped.

  “There’s a note here about a paternity test. Do you give me permission to take a cheek swab?”

  “Yes,” I said. “Absolutely.”

  He smiled. “Felix appears to be a happy, well-adjusted young boy, Ms. Moretti, so you have done a wonderful job with him. Losing a parent is difficult enough, but it’s obvious he feels safe and loved, so, well done.”

  “Thank you. It takes a village,” I said. “We’re all very close.”

  “I’ll go ahead and take the swab, then you’re free to take Felix home.”

  I laid my hand on my chest with a sigh. “Thank you so much.”

  “My phone number will be on the paperwork, so you feel free to reach out if you have any questions.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  He nodded and we walked back into Felix’s room. Once the swab was taken, I let Felix finish his pudding, then we got him changed and I signed him out. We were finally going home.

  * * *

  Stoney

  I walked into the club to find Sundance on the phone, pacing and seething with rage.

  “What’s goin’ on?” I asked Wrath, one of my fellow Road Captains.

  “Not sure. He’s been on the phone for about ten minutes.”

  I frowned. “That doesn’t look good.”

  “Stoney!” Sundance bellowed. “My office, now.”

  “Well, shit,” I hissed, following my president down the hall.

  Sundance chucked his phone on the desk and I closed the door behind us.

  “The money’s gone.”

  “What do you mean the money’s gone?” I asked.

  “Sasha sent a crew. When they got there, the money was gone, but a SWAT team was waiting.”

  “Fuck,” I snapped, dragging my hands down my face.

  “Which means, this Luca asshole has our money, our leverage, and Sasha’s men.”

  “Jesus Christ, I’m gonna kill him.”

  “Yeah, well, you better stow that language, brother, because he’s apparently not willing to play nice with us and he’s by the book which makes him more dangerous for us.”

  I slammed my fist into the wall. “I swear to Christ if they come after Felix again, I’m gonna bury Luca
alive.”

  Sundance sighed. “I don’t think they’ll do that. Too high profile now, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try something else. Everyone needs to be on guard.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed.

  “I’m gonna leave the Moretti family to you, but tread lightly.”

  I nodded and stormed out of his office, heading to the kitchen for a beer.

  * * *

  Sabrina

  Felix crashed about six that night. Luca and my parents had been with us from the moment we left the hospital and were still hanging out in my kitchen.

  At least my mom was cooking. I was exhausted and just wanted to go to bed, but I didn’t think any of them were planning on leaving anytime soon, so I decided I’d eat my feelings with whatever Mom was making.

  I sidled into the kitchen and sat up at the kitchen island next to my dad. “He’s out.”

  “How are you, tesoro?” Dad asked.

  “I’m good, Papa. Just tired.”

  “Have some meatballs,” Mom said, and slid a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs in front of me.

  “I don’t know if I can eat all this,” I lied.

  “You can do it,” she encouraged, and I chuckled.

  “You just want me fat.”

  “And pregnant, polpetta. I want another baby meatball running around.”

  I laughed. She’d called all of us ‘meatball’ since we were babies.

  “Slow your roll there, Mama. Gotta find me a husband first.”

  “Who says?” Luca challenged, taking a big bite off his own plate.

  “You hush,” Mama ordered. “You know Mrs. Russo’s boy, Ian, is single. I could set you up.”

  I nearly choked on a meatball. Ian Russo looked like a younger version of Tony Soprano, only fatter and balder. His dad was Italian, and his mom was Irish, hence ‘Ian.’ He was also kind of a dick. “Ah, no, Mama, please don’t.”

  Luca was laughing hysterically at our exchange, so I chucked a meatball at him.

  “Hey!” he growled, throwing it back.

  “You two, knock if off,” Mama warned. “I’ll set you up with Ian’s sister, Luca, if you don’t behave.”

  Luckily, I didn’t have anything in my mouth I could choke on. Ciara looked a lot like her brother, and she was just as nasty. But she’d had a crush on Luca since before I could remember, always trying to kiss him during mass. And that had just happened a few months ago. It was hilarious.

  Luca raised his hands in surrender and went back to his food.

  As I took a sip of wine, my doorbell rang, and my brother scowled. “Who the hell is that?”

  “Language, Luca.”

  “Sorry, Mama,” he said, sliding off his stool.

  “I got it,” I said.

  “Bree—”

  “It’s my door, I got it,” I insisted, and walked out of the kitchen. Checking the peephole, I dropped my head to the wood and sighed before pulling it open. “What are you doing here?”

  “Just checkin’ on you,” Stoney said, smiling.

  “You could have texted.”

  “Wanted to get eyes on you. How’s Felix?”

  “Asleep,” I said.

  “Is he okay?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, he seems to be. Time will tell. But no physical trauma.”

  “Good.” His face relaxed.

  I smiled. “Do you want to come in. My family’s here and Mom’s cooking.”

  “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You’re not,” I said. “Come in.”

  He nodded and stepped inside.

  “You’ve gotta be fuckin’ kidding me,” Luca snarled from behind us.

  I jabbed a finger at him. “You be nice.”

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” my brother demanded.

  “Checkin’ in on Sabrina and Felix,” he said, crossing his arms. “You?”

  “Oh my god, you two, I’m serious. I’m not doing this with you.” I pushed Luca in the middle of his chest. “Back to the kitchen.”

  My brother scowled, but walked away.

  “This conversation’s not over,” Stoney warned, but Luca flipped him off before disappearing into the kitchen.

  I faced Stoney and forced a smile. “Come on. Might as well meet everyone.”

  I led him into the kitchen where my parents watched him warily.

  “This is Stoney,” I said. “He helped find Felix.”

  My mom let out a little squeak, then pulled him into her arms. “Oh, my darling boy, grazie.”

  Stoney was so taken aback, he didn’t respond right away. But once he did, he patted her back and smiled. “It’s all good.”

  My brother continued to glare at Stoney, so I shot him a glare of my own. Luca rolled his eyes and focused back on his pasta.

  “Are you hungry?” Mom asked. “I’ll make you a plate.”

  “Ah, no, that’s—”

  “I’ll make you a plate,” Mom insisted, already ladling sauce onto a heaping helping of pasta and meatballs.

  “Don’t fight it,” I said. “You’re not leaving here until you’re at least six pounds heavier.”

  Stoney smiled and I moved my plate to the dinette table, then set a place for him.

  “Jesus, at your table?” Luca hissed.

  “Luca,” Mom admonished. “This man saved Felix’s life. You be nice.”

  “I saved his life,” he corrected. “He—”

  “He what, Luca? Huh?” I challenged, cutting him off. I really didn’t want to subject our parents to any details of what they found when they rescued Felix. I knew Luca didn’t either and if he could put his dick away long enough, he’d shut his mouth.

  “Nothing,” Luca grumbled, and Mom set a plate in front of Stoney.

  I glared at him, giving him a two-finger jab indicating I was watching him, then sat down across from Stoney. Lordy, the man was gorgeous. I needed to stop staring at him, but I couldn’t seem to do it.

  As I stared at him, Stoney ate in silence as my family chattered around him, but I asked him to stay once my family declared it was time for them to leave.

  My brother tried to stay as well, but I managed to kick him out without actually threatening bodily harm.

  The second he was out the door, however, Stoney followed, calling, “Luca.”

  My brother turned and Stoney sucker punched him.

  “What are you doing?” I screamed, rushing outside.

  “It’s fine, Bree,” Luca said, standing and brushing himself off. “I can handle myself.”

  “What is going on?”

  “You wanna tell her?” Stoney asked.

  “I went by the book, Stoney. Your club’s a fucking scourge on society, and you know it.”

  “We had a deal.”

  “You had a fuckin’ deal. I followed the law,” Luca argued.

  “If this blows back on Sabrina or Felix, I’m holdin’ you personally responsible,” Stoney threatened.

  “Stoney, can I have a minute with my brother, please?” I asked. “I’ll meet you inside.”

  Stoney nodded, and walked inside, while I turned on my brother.

  “What did he mean by blow back, Luca?”

  “There was money involved. Dirty money, and I had a team waiting at the drop.”

  “Wait. Back up. What do you mean by money?”

  He sighed. “The club paid two million to get Felix back. They brought one mil with them, and told them where the other million was. I intercepted the other million, arresting several Russian mobsters in the process.”

  I bit back tears. “Stoney’s club paid two million dollars to get Felix back?”

  “You’re missing the big picture here, Bree.”

  “Oh, I’m pretty sure I’ve missed nothing,” I snapped. “You are such a dick!”

  “Bree,” he called, but I’d already stomped up my stairs and walked inside.

  After closing and locking the door, I made my way back into the kitchen to find Stoney doing the dishes. A weird warm and
fuzzy feeling hit my belly and I was momentarily frozen to the spot, unable to take my eyes off the sexy man’s hands in the sink as he rinsed dishes before loading them in the dishwasher.

  He caught my eye and smirked. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” I said, smiling. “You don’t need to do that.”

  “It’s all good.” He dropped a plate into the dishwasher. “Your family’s cool. Well, except Luca.”

  I chuckled. “Luca’s intense, but he’s pretty cool, too. When he’s not putting his nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “Did you get the results back from the paternity test?” I asked, dropping my eyes to my feet.

  He shook his head. “It’ll take a couple of days.”

  I felt the sting of tears hit the back of my throat. “So, you paid two million dollars to save a child you don’t actually know is yours?”

  “Outside of the fact your sister was an addict, did she have a habit of lying?”

  “No. I mean, she’d lie about being sober, but she wouldn’t have lied about him being yours.”

  “I don’t think so either. So, no, Breezy, I didn’t pay two million dollars to save a kid that isn’t mine.”

  “But you’d have done it even if he wasn’t,” I deduced.

  He pushed away from the counter. “I’m gonna go ahead and leave now.”

  I blinked back tears and whispered, “I really appreciate everything you did.”

  His hand hooked around the back of my neck and he tugged me forward. “Don’t cry, Sabrina, he’s home. He’s safe.”

  I nodded into his chest. “It could have been so much worse.”

  “But it wasn’t.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Hey! What are you doing to my aunt?” Felix growled, making a run at Stoney.

  Stoney released me, picking Felix up before he could slam into his legs, and lifting him gently in his arm. “Bud, it’s me,” Stoney said, but Felix continued to fight.

  “Fox,” I called. “Honey, I’m okay. Stoney was helping me.”

  He stopped flailing. “Wait. Stoney?”

  “Yeah, bud, it’s me.”

  Felix wrapped his arms around Stoney’s neck and squeezed. “Sorry.”

  Stoney patted his back. “It’s all good. Proud o’ you for protectin’ your aunt, bud, but you need to be smarter. If I’d really been a bad guy, you both coulda been in trouble. Remember what I told you?”