Coming Home (Morelli Family 6)

I sort of want to laugh at the idea of this man who has tormented me on so many occasions being the Disney version of anyone, but it seems inappropriate given he also just reminded me that his evil father was responsible for such atrocities.

“What about Rafe’s dad?”

“Alessio was the nicest of the brothers. The least fucked up, too. Maybe because he was the youngest? I don’t know. He’s dead now. Rafe’s mom is still alive. She retired to Florida, got remarried—to a police officer, hilariously enough.”

“He has a mom? That’s nice.” I don’t know why this surprises me. It seems like Mateo’s generation of Morelli men were just hatched and left to figure out how the world worked. Maybe Rafe was actually raised. Maybe that’s why he seems a little less fucked up.

Smiling slightly, Mateo says, “Yes, I imagine it probably is.”

I move the booties off my belly and roll onto my side, curling up close to him on the bed. “I’m sorry your mom died when you were so young. I wish I could’ve met the woman responsible for making you. I hope she would’ve liked me.”

“She was soft like you, I’m sure she would’ve.”

I absently caress his abdomen with my thumb. “Do you remember anything about her?”

“Not a lot. I remember she used to sing. To herself, to me. She was musical and soft and loving. God knows how I would’ve turned out if she’d lived. Certainly not like this.”

I hug him, a wave of fierce protectiveness rolling over me. “You’re perfect.”

“You’re brainwashed,” he says lightly.

I poke him in the side. “I am not. You be nice. I happen to love you, and I won’t abide anyone talking poorly about my future husband.”

“You should probably bring earplugs to the wedding then,” he advises.

I smile faintly. “They wouldn’t dare.”

He sighs, and not with pleasure. “There will be quite an assortment of Morellis at the wedding, not just ones who like me.”

“I don’t want to meet any more of them,” I tell him. “Can’t we just hang out with Adrian the whole time?”

“Morelli weddings are long, too. So long. We should’ve eloped to the beach.”

“It’s not too late,” I tell him.

He smiles, shaking his head. “I can’t.”

“I know.” Absently caressing his side, I say, “It’s okay. We’ll make the rounds and meet all your relatives. It won’t matter as long as we’re together.”

“If anything ever happens to me and he’s still unattached, you should reach out to Rafe.”

I roll my eyes. “What is with you logic-monsters willing your partners?”

He quirks an eyebrow, uncharacteristically confused.

“When Meg was in the hospital after she got shot she told me if anything ever happened to her, basically she wanted me to have you. Now here you are telling me if anything happens to you, I should hit up your Vegas cousin. You’re all crazy. If anything ever happens to me, you should love my ghost. I’ll be right here in this bed, and I’ll haunt the vagina of any bitch who dares roll around in it with you.”

Mateo laughs, wrapping his arm around me tightly and tugging me into his side. “I love you.”

I grin up at him. “And I love you. But I’ve earned my spot and I’m not willing your ass to anyone. You’re all mine, for the rest of time.”

“I’m sorry if my practicality offends you,” he teases. “I just want to make sure you’re taken care of. I would’ve willed you to Adrian, but Elise actually worked out, so…”

Nodding, I say, “See, I could’ve accepted that.”

“Maybe I’ll hire Colin to kill Elise if I ever die. Instructions in my will just for him.”

I grin, poking him in the chest. “Don’t you dare; Adrian adores her the way I adore you. That would break his heart. Let’s not even think about this. Nothing is ever going to happen to you. And if anything does, maybe I’ll surprise all of you and go all Kill Bill and avenge you.”

Mateo snorts. “Yeah, okay.”

“How rude.”

“You and Meg are both afraid of guns. Neither of you can do much avenging.”

“Maybe I’m more of a sword girl. You don’t know. Or poison. Or archery. There are lots of ways to kill people. Don’t be so small-minded. Additionally, Adrian said he’s going to teach me some things, so I’m probably going to be a machine of total lethality here soon.”

He is not appropriately intimidated. “This from the woman who’s made a legitimate hobby of keeping people safe from my wrath.”

I push myself up on the bed, eyeing him up.

Mateo raises an eyebrow in question, then I decide to showcase the badassery I’m convinced I possess, climbing on top of him and pinning his arms down the way he likes to pin mine.

“I can handle myself,” I tell him haughtily.

He does nothing to fight back, but he does roll his eyes. “Please. I could take you while drinking a full cup of coffee.”