Shielded Wrongs (Bellandi Crime Syndicate 4)

"Fair," I agreed, leaning down. His eyes held mine as my lips touched his tentatively. Intimately. It was just a kiss, but somehow it felt like more when I was the one to start it. With a groan he deepened the kiss, cupping my jaw and making me feel treasured as his tongue dueled with mine. Only the knowledge that his family would soon arrive kept me from grinding down on him and seeking that friction that I wanted from no one but him ever again.

"Your family will be here soon," I whispered as I pulled back from his rough mouth. His lips were flushed red, much like I imagined mine had to be.

"Fuck," he groaned, lifting me off his lap to set me on the couch next to him. He bent his neck, letting his head hang over the back of the couch as his hands scrubbed over his face. "You're becoming a problem."

"Me?" I laughed. I hadn't put myself in his lap or deepened the kiss. I hadn't stroked my bare skin or brought up a lap dance.

"I can't control myself with you. That's...new territory for me."

"Hmm. I like knowing I affect you that way since I self-combust the second you touch me," I confessed. Touching my hand to his forearm, I traced the vein that popped out the top, watching as his hair raised in response and the muscle tightened at my touch. Rebel's sharp bark was the only warning before the sound of beeping from the front door keypad came from the other side of the door. Seconds later, a crowd of people stepped inside, already chattering among themselves as they invaded Enzo's home like they were totally and completely comfortable in his space. Enzo chuckled in that deep voice of his as I stilled at his side.

Somehow nobody had spoken to him as they dropped bags and purses on the kitchen island. The smallest of the children was the first to notice us where we sat, squealing as she raced over. "Puppy!" Throwing her arms around Rebel, she squeezed her tight and my heart filled when Rebel wagged her butt excitedly and licked the girl's face over and over as she giggled. "Who's this, Uncle Enzo?" she asked, abandoning Rebel to throw herself into Enzo's lap and hug him just as tightly.

"This is Sadie," he said, tapping the girl’s nose affectionately. "How is my littlest girl?"

She giggled in response, tapping his nose in return while she grinned. Missing her two front teeth, she turned that bright smile my way and lunged off Enzo's lap to land in mine. "You're pretty," she said, ignoring Enzo as he laughed and stood from the couch. I got up to follow, wanting the safety that my nearness to him would offer as I glanced up from the girl in my arms to find the other people staring at me in shock.

"Gabriella, you don't just jump on people you've never met. Where are your manners?" one of the women asked as I hefted her up to hold her more firmly. She wrapped her legs around the side of my hip as I supported her, even though she was far too big to be carried. I couldn't bring myself to put her down even if I didn't want to stay where I was either.

"The little terror in your arms is Gabby if you didn't guess," Enzo laughed. I turned my face down to hers, returning the bright smile she leveled me with. How anyone could resist that toothless smile was beyond me. I'd probably act a fool to make her laugh. "The woman scolding her is her mom Gianna. The asshole next to her is her husband Tad," Enzo laughed as he walked over to kiss his sister's cheek. "The runts hiding behind the counter are my nephews Barrow and Lakely. Their parents are lurking in the corner whispering. That's my oldest sister Mia and her husband Mauro. Then there's Aria, Sienna, and Elisa—no kids or husbands for them." He pointed them out individually, making me wave awkwardly and wonder how I'd remember all the names.

I would so get even when the time came for him to meet my disaster of a family.

"And my mom Bianca," he added, kissing his mother's cheek fondly. She moved away from him quickly, darting under his arm as she made her way to me. Gabriella squirmed in my arm as the boys raced from around the island and into the living room, leaving me with no choice but to set her down so that she could chase after them.

"Oh, Mimmo!" Bianca said, stretching out her arms as she approached. Hands touching either side of my face, she studied me intently with tears brimming in her eyes. "She is beautiful."

"Si, Mamma," Enzo laughed. "Maybe don't scare her off before I put a ring on her finger or you'll never get your grandbabies."

"Sorry," she chuckled, releasing me and stepping back. "My Enzo has never introduced us to a girl before. He didn't even tell his poor Mamma he was seeing anyone."

I giggled nervously, glancing to Enzo and considering my words. "We haven't known each other for long," I said. "I don't think either of us saw this coming."

"Ah well, he is Italian, yes? They know what they want. His father kne

w he planned to marry me within days! The shit that he was." She leaned in, dropping her voice down to a whisper. "Poor Mia was knocked up within a month."

"I can hear you, Mamma," Mia groaned, but the smile on her face was thoroughly entertained even as she rolled her eyes at her mother's antics.

"This would probably be part of what Enzo means about scaring her off," Elisa said, glancing down at her cell phone to type out a message furiously.

"Put your phone away," Bianca scolded. "We are at your brother's home and meeting his girlfriend. How rude are you? She'll think I raised the lot of you in a barn."

"I'm pretty sure people who live in barns can't afford cell phones, Mom," Elisa laughed, but she tucked the phone into her back pocket as Enzo moved in for a hug.

"How's school?" he asked, kissing the top of her head.

"Calculus is kicking my ass. Why did I let you talk me into taking it again?"

"Language!" Bianca gasped, turning her attention back to me. "She was switched at birth. I swear it." I laughed, the statement so similar to something my Mama would say about me that I felt an instant kinship with Enzo’s youngest sister.

"Like Enzo doesn't swear!" the teenager yelled. "He's a grown man, Mom. Stop acting like we're in Church."

"Your brother is grown, yes. But you are not, my sweet, exasperating child. When you live on your own, then you may swear like a sailor if you so wish. For now, you follow my rules." The girl rolled her eyes, sinking further into Enzo's side.

"She had the same rules for me when I was young," Enzo reassured her, moving away slowly and coming back to my side. He wrapped himself around my back, comforting me through the contact that set me on edge. I didn't have much experience with a boyfriend's family. Patrick was the extent of my serious relationships, but he'd always kept me at a respectable distance in front of them. Enzo didn't seem to give a shit if his mother watched on with her eyes gleaming about the possibility of more grandchildren. Like the three racing around weren't enough to handle. "Food should be here soon. I ordered a delivery from Angel's."

"I could have cooked!" Bianca scolded. "You shouldn't spend so much money to feed us."