He chuckles and stands. “Not happening, moró mou. I have another appointment with the insurance adjuster.”
“For the plane?”
“Yeah.” He pecks my lips one more time. “I should be home early. Behave.”
A little while later, Zoe wakes up drooling and cranky. I think another tooth is coming in. After she’s changed and fed, I give her to my mom to hold so I can find one of the men to go to the store to pick up medicine.
As I’m opening the front door, I run straight into Fowler. Our bodies collide and his hands land on my hips. Not wanting him to touch me, I move out of his reach, but his fingers are digging into my skin, preventing me from moving.
“Let go of me,” I hiss, swatting at his hands.
“Would you rather I let you fall?” He smirks evilly.
Anger burns through me and I’m seconds from clawing his face apart.
“Get your fucking hands off my sister,” Phoenix growls, walking up behind Fowler. “Now.”
Fowler stares me down in an arrogant way that leads me to believe he thinks he’s powerful and untouchable. But based on the fury rippling from my brother and when Kostas gets wind of this, this asshole will learn his place in my home—in my world.
“My bad.” He releases his hold on me and raises his palms into the air.
“Why the fuck were you touching her?” Phoenix accuses. “Didn’t we already talk about this?” He steps into Fowler’s face.
Fowler grins wide, as if they’re two old friends in on a joke. “Bro, I didn’t touch her—” Fowler begins, but Phoenix cuts him off.
“I’m not your bro.”
Fowler just laughs. “Look, man, she ran into me and I caught her so she didn’t bust her ass. Next time I’ll just let her fall.” He shrugs and walks around Phoenix.
“Two strikes,” Phoenix calls over his shoulder.
He says it loud enough that Fowler can hear him, but he keeps walking, pretending he doesn’t.
“That guy seriously rubs me the wrong way,” I tell Phoenix.
“Yeah, he’s a punk.”
“What’s with the two strikes?” I ask, curious.
“Three strikes and he’s out.” He looks over his shoulder then back at me. “Why were you coming out here?”
“Zoe is teething. I need someone to run to the store to buy her pain medicine.”
“Is she okay?” Phoenix’s brows furrow in concern. I never imagined I would ever have my brother in my life, let alone my daughter’s. And I definitely never thought Phoenix would be such a hands-on uncle. Growing up, I only got to see him for a short time over the summer, or for the holidays when he would visit. I always assumed he was just like Niles—selfish and irresponsible. But he’s actually nothing like him. His only fault was that he was loyal to his dad—until he wasn’t.
“She’s fine. I just want to make sure she’s not in pain. She’s whining and being cranky.”
“Sounds a lot like her mom.” Phoenix smirks.
“Hush it.” I push his shoulder playfully.
“I’ll send Fowler to go get it.” He laughs. “He’s not doing shit anyway, so he can play errand boy. Make himself useful.”
“I think it’s time for me to go home,” Mom says. We’re sitting on the floor in Zoe’s nursery, watching as she crawls all over the place, knocking blocks over and smashing the keys to her soft play piano.
“Already?” I pout. I love having my mom here with me. Once she goes back to Italy, who knows when I will see her again.
“Already?” She laughs. “I’ve been here for a month.”
My pout deepens, my bottom lip jutting out dramatically. “But I’m going to miss you, and so is Zoe.”
“I know, cara mia, but Stefano isn’t good at fending for himself. He’s complained every day that the cook isn’t making what he likes.” She rolls her eyes in mock annoyance. “Imagine if you were away from Kostas for a few days? Or a week?”
I laugh at the thought. Kostas would never let that happen. He’d be all growly and then demand he either goes with me or I don’t go. “I get it. So how much longer do I get you?”
“Stefano found a flight for next week. So we have a little more time together.” She gives me a soft smile.
“Okay, I’ll take it.”
Zoe stops banging on the piano and turns to me. Her eyes well up with tears and she shoves her tiny fist into her mouth. Fowler should be back by now with her medicine.
“I’m going to go see if Fowler is back with Zoe’s medicine yet. Can you hold her?”
“Of course,” Mom says, taking Zoe into her arms. “You know, when you and Phoenix were babies, we just rubbed whiskey on your gums.”
I bark out a laugh. “I think we’ll stick to good old Tylenol.”
I run downstairs and spot one of the men on the phone in the kitchen. Not wanting to interrupt him, I head out the front door. The vehicle Fowler uses is parked in the driveway, so I go in search of him. I find him standing on the side of the house. I’m about to call out his name when I see he has his phone pressed up to his ear. Instead, I walk forward a few steps so I can listen.