“I was just going to say the same thing,” Carter’s softer spoken friend and Tamara’s sister, Reanna said as she came forward and gave him a hug. “Where we grew up, we didn’t see a lot of daddies playing with their kids like that. There were some, but not many.” She kissed his cheek. “You’re a sweetie.”
Nathan winked. “Stop it. You’re going to give me an even bigger head than I already have.”
“Please stop,” Carter begged teasingly over her shoulder. She chuckled when he shot her a playful glare.
Reanna lightly patted his shoulder. “She’s kidding,” she said softly about Carter. “All that girl talked about today was how good of a husband and father you are.” She winked.
Unlike her sister, Reanna was more relaxed. She wore an oversized tan shirt that hung off her shoulder, a white tank under it, a pair of jeans that flared at the bottom, and white sneakers. Reanna’s hair was always tied up in a messy bun, and sometimes she wore a pair of glasses that made her eyes look bigger than they really were. But even when she did wear those ridiculous glasses, she was still such a lovely woman.
Reanna was hands down the kindest, most genuine woman Nathan had ever met. Soft spoken, very sweet without being weak, and she had this noticeable strength that Nathan could tell came from simply living. Both of the Pierce women were amazing success stories. They’d succeeded in life side-by-side despite all of the horrific obstacles life threw at them along the way. Nathan understood why the bond was so strong between the two and Carter. All three of them understood each other on a deeper level because they had more than a few things in common. If one were to type in ‘the Pierce sisters’ not only would their accomplishments and business websites pop up, but many news articles about Mason and Alana Pierce—Tamara and Reanna’s deceased parents—would grace your screen as well, and knock you out of your seat.
When sisters stepped around him to go see the kids, Sofia screamed, “Reanna,” and ran off the couch straight into her arms.
Nathan saw Kyle squint his eyes in confusion, looking at the woman, most likely trying to remember who she was. Nathan was sure he didn’t remember. The last time Kyle and Reanna were in the same room was the day the twins were born. Sofia, on the other hand, frequently saw Reanna because she spent a lot of time at Nathan and Carter’s house, which she and her sister visited often.
“Come and sit with me and my papa, Reanna,” Sofia said
Reanna kissed her cheek. “Okay, baby.”
Reanna looked around until she locked eyes with the only blue-eyed man in the room. She smiled and walked over to Kyle, who was still confused. Once she stood in front of him she extended her hand.
“You’re probably wondering who I am and why your daughter knows me,” she said through light laughter. “My name is Reanna.”
Kyle politely stood to his feet and shook her hand. “Kyle. It’s nice to meet you. It seems my daughter knows you very well.”
She nodded as she lovingly smiled down on Sofia. “I first met her here, when she was about five months old. She’s such a sweet little girl. She talks about you with me all of the time. I honestly feel like I already know you.”
Kyle finally cracked a small smile and Nathan released a relieved breath. Kyle usually didn’t like to meet new people, and he was far from personable and polite. This was a good thing. He was actually talking to a woman and smiling at something she’d said.
“My lady bug is very sweet.” He looked at Sofia, who was now resting her head on Reanna’s shoulder. “She’s taken with you.”
Reanna kissed her forehead. “I’m taken with her,” she whispered as she began swaying back and forth. “Are you tired, honey?”
Sofia sleepily rubbed her eyes and yawned.
Nathan noticed the look in Kyle’s eyes as he gazed at the woman swaying with his little girl. Kyle seemed to be entranced. For a moment, Nathan’s eyes cut to Carter to find her staring at Kyle, Sofia, and Reanna with a hopeful smile on her face as she rocked the now sleeping Aleksandr and Maksim in her arms. He looked back at Kyle just in time to see him snap out of the trance.
He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Umm … Here, you two can have a seat next to me. It looks like Sofia is ready to take her nap.”
Reanna smiled and sat down on the couch, and a now uncomfortable Kyle sat next to her.
Nathan felt a gentle hand on his arm, then a small woman leaned against him. “Hey, bear, how’s it going?”
Nathan smiled, glancing down at the young woman resting her head on his arm. She looked up at him with her warm, dark-brown eyes and smiled. Standing on her toes, she accepted a kiss from him on her forehead. “How are you, Aria?”
Aria Hernandez. A part Hispanic, part African American young chef that owned a small restaurant in Manhattan.
It wasn’t often that Nathan was charmed by … well, by anyone, yet this young woman had managed to. She was quiet and shy, but also strong and exceptionally smart. She had this innocence and vulnerability about her that called to Nathan, urging him to take her under his wing, and he did. This twenty-four-year-old girl was like the little sister Nathan and Carter had never had.
She shrugged as she always did. “I can’t complain. Business is going well, thanks to you and Carter.”
“You did that on your own, Aria,” Nathan interjected. “We referred the customers, but it’s your cooking that keeps them coming back.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she whispered with a smile. “I finally moved into the apartment above the restaurant. I can’t believe it’s mine, it’s so beautiful. Now that I have a bigger place I can babysit more. I know Anastacia has to go to France for a few weeks soon, so I told Carter that I can be on twin duty while she’s away. I know how much Carter hates daycare, and she shouldn’t have to miss work.”
Nathan was touched by her kindness and love for his family. “Thank you, sweetheart, that’s nice of you to do that for us.”
She shrugged and looked up at him with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. “It’s no problem, really. You know how much I love you guys. The twins can be my helpers. I’ll get them all hopped up on chocolate and send them home with you and Carter.”
Nathan chuckled. “You’re an evil woman,” he joked, nudging her gently. “How do you like living in Manhattan?”
She smiled. “I love it most times, but sometimes people are a little rude … and a little frightening.”
Nathan frowned. “Is someone bothering you?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“If someone is frightening you, Aria, you need to tell us. Carter and I will handle it for you—”
“No, no, no,” she whispered firmly. “I’m just trying to get used to living in the City that’s all. It’s different. There was less hustle in Queens. But I can get used to it, so please don’t go all big brother, king of New York on me please?”
Unlike the Pierce sisters, Aria knew the lifestyle that Nathan and Carter lived. It was a long story of why, but to give the short version Aria had a brother that was a dumb shit. The asshole messed around in gangs and mobs—mostly making bets that would get him killed, and borrowing obscene amounts of money that he couldn’t pay back—and he’d told her that he heard the Salernos were mafia.
After a moment Nathan nodded. “Okay, but—”
“But nothing, bear. I know. I’ll tell you or Carter if someone messes with me.”
“You better, Aria.”
“I will,” she reassured once again. “I promise. Nobody would mess with me anyways. I’m not worth bothering. I’m just a small time chef. All I could offer a thief is baked goods, and maybe a few leftover pieces of chicken,” she said with amusement. “My life is not as exciting as yours and Carterina’s.”
Nathan snorted. “Sometimes I long for a life of simplicity for myself, my wife, and my children … but then I remember I’m too damn good at this to leave it for the simple life,” he finished with a smirk.
Aria shook her head slowly. “I’m praying
for you guys,” she sighed through pursed lips.
Nathan chuckled softly. Aria was always praying for somebody. It was her favorite thing to do.
“Hey, am I late for lunch?” Mickey strolled into the living room behind them, smiling when he saw Aria. “Hey babe,” he greeted, leaning forward and kissing her forehead. “You look gorgeous today.”
Nathan rolled his eyes. What Mickey would usually say to a woman would be something along the lines of: “Damn! You look that sexy for me, baby?”
“I love that dress, is it new?”
In translation, “I love how your ass looks in that dress.” Nathan had seen Mickey’s eyes cut to Aria’s behind a few times since he’d walked in.
Aria’s caramel brown cheeks tinted red, as they did every time she received a compliment. “Hi, Mickey,” she said. “Yes, it’s a new dress. Thank you for noticing.”
“How could I not?” he asked with a soft smile. He took his eyes from Aria and looked up at Nathan. “Everything’s ready for tonight, Nate.”
He nodded. “Good. We’ll leave at seven.”
“Well,” Aria sighed softly, “I’m going to put the finishing touches on lunch so we can eat before you and Carter have to get ready. Is Gabriel here?”
“No, he’s still at school, but he’ll be home in time to watch the kids,” Nathan answered.
“Okay. I’m going to the kitchen. Lunch will be ready soon.”
“Let me help you,” Mickey said, following behind her. “I’ll get first taste of everything.”
Giggling, Aria nodded in acceptance of his offer.
Nathan chuckled and turned back toward the living room. Mickey should just go ahead and tell the girl he was interested, but Nathan knew he was probably wouldn’t. Aria was drastically different from the girls he usually became involved with. Mickey didn’t get or stay in relationships with woman because he didn’t think they’d tolerate his … eccentricities. He wasn’t the sanest of men, but Nathan had known Mickey since he was inside of his mother’s womb. He had the ability to be a good man to a woman that fit with him. An exceptionally strong, fearless woman that wouldn’t shy away from the sadistic serial killer that Mickey rarely kept hidden inside. Mickey was a nice guy, but he was also a cold-blooded murder. That part of him could only be accepted, not changed.
Unfortunately, though, Nathan didn’t think Aria was the woman that would accept Mickey’s eccentricities. The man needed a woman that was crazier than he was …
“Nathan, honey,” Carter called, pulling him from his thoughts.
Nathan walked over to his wife. “Yes, dear.”
“Can you take Maksim? Let’s take them up to their bedroom. They can eat when they wake up.”
“Of course, baby,” he said, taking Maksim from her arms. “Kyle, Reanna. Sofia can sleep in the twins’ room, on her little princess bed.” It was the bed Sofia would use when she stayed over Nathan and Carter’s house.
Reanna nodded and handed Sofia to Kyle, who stood and followed Nathan and Carter.
“You ready for the dinner tonight?” Nathan asked Carter quietly as they ascended the stairs.
Carter smiled wickedly. “Depends. Have you changed your mind? Can I take my knives?” she asked. “Just the ones I keep around my thigh. Nobody will see them.”
Nathan chuckled. “Not while Niko Bonaducci is there. We don’t need anything present that may encourage us to kill him.”
Carter laughed and conceded, “Fine, no knives.”
“I’m glad.” Nathan smiled.
“Who knows, maybe we’ll have a good time tonight.”
Nathan was pretty sure they wouldn’t, but he didn’t tell her that.
When they made it to the boys’ room, they laid them in their cribs, and Sofia on her bed.
Nathan took Carter’s hand and pulled her to him as Kyle slipped out of the room. He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her. “Promise you’ll tell me if anyone disrespects you tonight. You’re new to this, Carterina. This will be your first dinner with the New York families. You’ll have to spend the majority of the time with the wives, and they can be vicious at times.”
Carter giggled. “You going beat them up for me if they mess with me, bubby?”
Nathan chuckled. “You’re very funny, but no. I deal with the husband’s, honey. The husbands are responsible for straightening up their wives.”
Her eyebrow arched and a mischievously sensual smile appeared on her lips. “So if I’m a bad girl tonight, and somebody tells on me, how are you going to straighten me up?”
Carter’s arms encircled Nathan’s waist and she pressed her body against his. The muscles in Nathan’s jaw tightened as he gazed at his wife while she teased him. He didn’t say a word, and he damn sure didn’t stop her. She always did this, but she was never prepared to deal with the consequences of her teasing. Nathan had never been one to defer his desires, so Carter had just pretty much ensured that they’d be a little late for lunch.
Her hands lowered from his back and palmed his ass. “Maybe you could tie me to the bed … give me a good, hard spanking while you—”
Before she even finished her sentence Nathan was pushing her toward the bedroom.
“Nathan,” she whispered through breathy laughter, “stop we can’t. I was kidding, honey!” She squealed softly when he slapped her ass, and sped up their pace to the bedroom.
Once they were to their bedroom, Nathan pushed her in and closed the door behind them.
~*~
Nathan hurried down the stairs, putting on his suit jacket as he descended. They were going to be late for the dinner if they didn’t leave in the next five minutes. His father would kill him if he was late.
“Carterina, baby! Let’s go, we’re going to be late.”
“Whose fault is that, Nathan?” she yelled from their bedroom.
His. It was his fault. He had gotten caught up for the second time today and ended up fucking Carter in their closet after she put on the sexy red dress she’d be wearing tonight. “Your fault,” he lied. “But I’ll forgive you if we leave in the next five minutes.”
He knew she was envisioning kicking his ass now, and he chuckled as he reached the bottom of the staircase.
Right as he touched the first floor of the house the twins darted past him, coming from the kitchen and heading to the living room. Nathan stopped abruptly in order to avoid colliding with them, then nearly tripped over one of their toys.
“Jesus!” he said as he stumbled. “Dammit. Aleksandr and Maksim! What did Papa tell you about leaving toys at the bottom of the staircase?”
Maksim screamed as Aleksandr continued to chase him. When they finally made their way back to the foyer Nathan got their attention.
“Stop!” he shouted.
They both stopped running and looked up at him. He pointed down at the two fire trucks sitting at the bottom of the stairs where they were not supposed to be.
“Put them away,” he instructed firmly.
Maksim walked over to do as he was told, but Aleksandr turned to run again. Nathan had expected that and he put a stop to it quickly.
“Aleksandr Salerno,” Nathan said softly, stopping the toddler in his tracks. He turned to Nathan with a smile on his face, but Nathan’s expression effectively conveyed that this was not the time for play. The smile fell from Aleksandr’s face and Nathan nodded. “Do what Papa told you to do, right now.” He quietly walked over to his truck and pushed it to their downstairs toy closet.
Obedience was not Aleksandr’s strong suit all of the time, but it was important to Nathan and Carter that their sons be obedient. So the moment theirs sons understood yes from no, they began teaching them. Whether it be a small command, such as to stop running in the house, or a command they must commit to memory, like throwing away their trash after snack time, the boys caught on quickly. When the boys could walk, Carter and Nathan began teaching them to assist in cleaning up their toys after playtime. It was to give them just a little bit of
responsibility starting at this early age. They could have any toy they wanted, anytime they wanted it, but it was their responsibility to put them away after they played with them. If they didn’t, they were reprimanded. Nathan and Carter were admittedly a bit strict when it came to their rules, but it was for their children’s own good. It was all a part of grooming them. It started as soon as the child could understand instruction. That was how Nathan’s father began with him, and that was how Carterina’s father began with her.
“Finally,” Mickey said, walking from the kitchen with Lucca, Dante, and Gabriel. “Are you two almost ready? I need to gather the guys.”
Nathan nodded, straightening his jacket. “Yeah, go ahead. As soon as Carterina comes down we’re going.”
“I hope you prepared her for the dramatics,” Gabriel said, walking over to the kids who had just returned to the foyer. “They’re not going to make leaving easy for her.”
Nathan nodded. He already knew that. The twins were never happy when he and Carter left them anywhere. It was easier in the morning for work because they were sleeping when they left, but anytime they watched them leave, they screamed bloody murder. He always had to comfort Carter when the boys did that. It was easier for him because he knew they were safe, and perfectly fine at home. However, Carter was like his mother; she came running anytime she heard her babies calling, and shed tears every time they cried.
Even now Nathan saw the boys looking around, slowly figuring out what was about to happen. He braced himself for the water works, reminding himself that they were just having a little separation anxiety. It was normal, and they were perfectly fine …
Okay, maybe it wasn’t as easy for Nathan as he let on.
Lucca came forward. “Dante is on watch here, and I’ll be at the west side safe house as you requested.”
“Make sure you keep them in line,” Nathan said. “I don’t want them slacking off. I want them all doing their jobs. No one other than Anastacia should be driving past tonight. We don’t have neighbors. So if you see anything out of the ordinary—”
“Kill it. I know, Nathan.” He gave him a pat on the back. “I got it. There’s no way they’d be doing anything but their jobs with me around. Trust me, cousin.”
Dangerous Beauty: Part Three: This is War Page 52