22. Elio

22

ELIO

I t doesn't seem right to have sex right now. But as I look into her eyes, I see that something deeper is going on. Perhaps she needs hands that love her, not ones that brutalize her. That I can give her.

I trail gentle kisses over Piper's bruises and scars, wishing I could erase every mark that bastard left on her. My blood boils thinking about what she's endured, but I force myself to stay calm. She needs tenderness now, not more violence.

"I'm sorry," I murmur against her skin. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you all these years."

Piper trembles slightly under my touch. "You're here now."

I plan to be here forever. But I'm not sure she's ready to hear that. She needs to feel in control. It's taking more effort than I thought I had to hold back and not state that she's mine.

I cup her face gently in my hands, careful to avoid the bruise on her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere. You and Elysse are safe with me." I lean in and kiss her again, giving her what she asks for. My lips and fingers glide along her body, revering her. I never want her to be afraid of my hands.

I knead her tits, gently sucking on her nipples. She lets out a sweet mewling sound that makes my dick harder than steel, but I tell it to calm down. This isn't about me.

I kiss her again as my hand slides over her abdomen. I think about Elysse growing there. A sharp pain pierces my heart at how much I missed. The pregnancy. The birth. Elysse's first steps. Did she call Gabriel "Daddy"? I shake my head of these thoughts because they're starting to piss me off and that's not what Piper needs right now.

I brush my finger on her clit. She gasps against my lips. I lift her leg, hooking it over my hip, giving my fingers greater access to her warm, soft pussy. I slide one, then two fingers inside her.

She moans. Her hips rock. "Elio…"

"I'm here, Baby." I glide my lips down her neck, over her tits, stopping to suck her nipples again. Then I continue down, dropping to my knees. I lift her leg again, hooking it over my shoulder. I hold her hips steady with her back against the tiles. I swirl my tongue around her clit.

"Yes. Oh… mmm." Her fingers grip my head almost painfully. But I stay with her, using my mouth and tongue to drive away the demons and fill her with pleasure. I slide my tongue inside, lapping at her pussy walls. Her body trembles. Her hips rock. She cries out, and her juices flow over my tongue and down my chin.

I guide her down and then stand, gathering her into my arms. "You're safe." You're mine. Forever.

Her hand wraps around my cock, but I take her wrist and move it away.

"What about you?" she asks.

I reach around Piper to turn off the shower. "My dick is fine." He doesn't think so at the moment, but he'll be fine. I grab a fluffy towel and wrap it around her, then get one for myself.

"Let me help you." I gently pat her dry.

She winces slightly as the towel brushes over some of her bruises.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm okay," she insists, but I can see the pain in her eyes.

I retrieve a soft robe from a hook on the wall and help her into it. It's mine and so too big for her, making her look small and vulnerable. "You don't have to be strong all the time. Let me take care of you."

Piper leans into me, and it feels like a gift that she's surrendering at least in this moment. I press a kiss to her forehead, savoring this moment of intimacy and trust between us.

I help Piper into my room, sitting her on the side of my bed… our bed. My heart swells with love for her, but there's also an ache of longing for the daughter I've just discovered. A daughter Gabriel raised as a father. The rage tries to ignite, but I clamp it down. Still, I don't want to be left out any longer.

"We should tell Elysse about my being her father."

Piper's eyes widen, and I can see the conflict in them. Perhaps I misworded that. It was a statement, not a question. But this isn't a choice Piper needs to make. I'm Elysse's father.

"I… I don't know, Elio. It's a lot for her to take in, especially after everything that's happened."

Her hesitation stings, but I nod, trying to understand. "I know it's complicated, but I've missed so much already." The guilt and anger about that builds and I can't hide it in my tone. "I've lost seven years of her life, Piper. Seven years! I can't get that time back. I'll be damned if I'm going to lose any more."

Piper's eyes flash with equal irritation. "It's not my fault that you?—"

"Fuck!" I turn away as I rein in my anger. Then I look at her again. "I'm not blaming you. But fucking hell, Pipe, I'm her father. Are you really going to keep me from that any longer?"

Piper's expression softens. She reaches out and takes my hand. "I'm sorry I got defensive. I'm upset too at what happened all those years ago. Right now, I'm just thinking of her. I want to protect her."

"Protect her from me?" What the hell? Five minutes ago, Piper was begging me to touch her and now I'm a danger?

"No." She shakes her head vehemently. "Protect her emotionally. A lot happened today."

I'm trying to understand, but it's not easy. "It's because she was afraid of me, isn't it?"

"No—"

"But if she knew I was her father, she wouldn't look at me as another stepdad, one who could be an asshole."

"Elio—"

"Don't keep this from me, Piper."

Piper is quiet for a moment, then nods slowly. "You're right. She deserves to know the truth. And you deserve the chance to be her father."

Relief and joy flood through me, along with fear that Elysse won't be equally as happy to learn I'm her father.

We dress and then go downstairs. The sounds of laughter and music greet us as we enter the living room. Elysse is standing in front of the TV, her little body swaying to the upbeat tune of a children's movie. It's a relief to see Elysse acting like a carefree child, especially after the trauma she's witnessed. I don't imagine the emotional scars are gone, but this scene gives me hope that she'll be okay.

Matteo sits on the couch, watching her with an amused grin on his face.

Elysse giggles and beckons for him to join her. "Come on, Matteo. I'll teach you the steps!"

Matteo shakes his head. "I don't know, kiddo. I'm not much of a dancer."

She grabs his hands and tugs him off the couch. "It's easy. Just follow me."

To my surprise, Matteo relents. He stands up and lets Elysse guide him through the silly dance moves. They hop and spin, their laughter filling the room.

I laugh at the sight of my tough-as-nails cousin, my second in command, being led in a dance by a seven-year-old girl. It's a side of Matteo I've never seen before.

Piper leans into me, a soft smile on her face as she watches our daughter. "She looks relaxed and happy."

"She does. I'm glad she feels safe and comfortable here." I hope that means Piper feels more at ease telling Elysse the truth.

Elysse spots us standing in the doorway and waves excitedly. "Mommy, Elio, come dance with us!"

I grin and lead Piper into the room. "How can we resist an invitation like that?"

We join Elysse and Matteo, letting the music and laughter wash over us. Turns out I'm worse than Matteo when it comes to dancing. But that's okay because in this moment, all the horrors earlier in the day are gone. Right now, we're just a family enjoying a silly moment together.

As I twirl Elysse around, her little hand in mine, I catch Piper's eye. She's smiling at me, her eyes shining with love and gratitude. I know we still have a lot to figure out, but I know everything is going to be okay. Finally, after all this time, I have what I wanted from the moment I first laid eyes on Piper in high school.

As the movie credits roll, we catch our breaths.

"I'm done in," Matteo says, ready to leave us.

"Where's Lana?" I ask him.

Matteo shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eye. "She's working. Probably plotting her takeover of the family business."

I chuckle, shaking my head. I consider that I'm open to the idea of her taking on more responsibility. It would free me up to spend time with Piper and Elysse.

"Or maybe she's trying to get out of babysitting."

"You seem to have a knack for it," I say.

He shrugs. "I like kids."

As much as I'm enjoying this lighthearted moment, there's a serious matter I need to discuss with Matteo, so I walk with him toward the hall.

Once we're out of earshot, I lower my voice. "I need you to do something for me. Find someone to keep an eye on Gabriel. I don't trust him."

"Okay. For how long?"

"Few days, at least… oh, and when he's served divorce papers. I've called Tony about pulling those together."

"Consider it done."

With that weight off my shoulders, I return to the living room, ready to enjoy more precious moments with Piper and Elysse. For the first time in years, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be. I just hope Elysse feels the same.

Nervousness twists in my gut as Piper and I sit down with Elysse. I've faced down dangerous men without flinching, but the thought of my daughter rejecting me fills me with a fear I've never known.

Piper takes Elysse's hand, her voice gentle as she begins. "Sweetie, there's something important we need to tell you. It's about your dad."

She covers her ears and shakes her head. "I don't want to know about him. He's mean and scary?—"

"No, sweetie, not Gabriel." Piper pulls Elysse closer, holding her. I'm afraid she might change her mind. "About your real dad."

Elysse's brow furrows, confusion in her large, dark eyes. I remember thinking that Elysse must take after her dad. And now I see it. She has my eyes.

"You said he was gone."

Piper takes a deep breath. "I know, but I was wrong."

Elysse's gaze darts between us, her little mind working to make sense of this revelation. "Who is he?"

I lean forward, my heart pounding. "It's me."

Her eyes widen, and for a moment, she's silent. Then, in a small voice, she asks, "Like my new daddy?"

I shake my head. "Like your real dad."

She looks at Piper, who nods. When she turns back to me, her expression fills me with dread. "Didn't you want me?"

Her words are like a knife to my heart.

"Sweetie, he didn't know about you," Piper explains.

"If I did, I would have been there," I add. "And now that I do know, I'm here because I want you more than anything."

Elysse is quiet for a moment, processing this information. "Really?"

"Really. Even before I knew the truth, when I met you at the restaurant, I wanted to be there for you. I'm so sorry that we missed so much time. I hope you'll forgive that and let me be your dad."

It takes a moment, but then a smile spreads across her face. She launches herself into my arms, hugging me tightly. "I wished you were my dad instead of Gabriel."

I've never been moved to tears before, but the overwhelming love and acceptance from this little girl—my little girl—has tears stinging my eyes.

"I'm here now and forever," I promise. That includes Piper too, whether she realizes it or not. I glance at Piper, who wipes a tear from her cheek.

"Can we watch the movie again?" Elysse asks. I have whiplash at how quickly she's moved on to the next thing. But then I realize that she doesn't need more time to process this. She's accepted that I'm her father and is ready to move on.

"Sure thing."

Elysse grabs the remote like a pro and turns the movie on again. She grins as she starts dancing, her little feet tapping out the rhythm. I do my best to follow along, feeling a bit silly but loving every moment.

Piper watches us from the couch, a soft smile on her face. She looks relaxed and comfortable too, and more than ever, I feel like my dream has finally come true.

As the movie ends, I scoop Elysse up and spin her around. She giggles and wraps her arms around my neck. "That was fun, Daddy!"

My heart swells at hearing her call me 'Daddy'. "Daddy needs a break. I think it's time for some dinner. What do you say, little dancer?"

Elysse nods enthusiastically. "I'm hungry."

We enter the dining room to find Lana and Matteo already seated at the table. They both smile warmly at Elysse.

Elysse stops and hides behind my leg when she sees Lana.

"I know how you feel," I joke, "but she's more bark than bite. In fact, she's your aunt."

Lana arches a brow at me but then smiles again at Elysse. "Come with me, kid, and I'll tell you all the dirt on your dad here."

Elysse looks up at me.

"She won't don't do that. I have more dirt on her." I lead Elysse to a spot at the table near me. It's where I used to sit when my parents were alive. In that moment, I finally have a feeling of being head of the family.

"I never had an aunt before. Or a cousin."

I'm beginning to sense how small Piper and Elysse's worlds were, especially with Gabriel.

"Well, get used to it. We're going to spoil you rotten," Lana says playfully. I smile at her, hoping she sees how appreciative I am at her accepting Piper and Elysse, even as doing so fucks up things with Vincenzo Rinella.

Matteo grins. "Just wait until Christmas, kid. Your aunt and I are going to make sure you have the biggest pile of presents ever!"

For once, dinner isn't filled with me and Lana griping or all of us discussing dinner. Instead, we learn about Elysse and her love of dancing. I make a mental note to find out about dance classes for her. Elysse also shares different words she used when in England, like biscuit for cookie.

"I don't hear an English accent," Matteo says.

Piper laughs. "She has an American mom and grandparents." It makes me ridiculously happy that she doesn't mention Gabriel's influence, that she's already culled him from Elysse's past.

"Are your parents still there?" Lana asks, innocently enough. But I see the glimmer of light in Piper's eyes dim.

"Yes." She looks down.

Lana glances over at me, a brow arched in question.

"I believe they were in league with Mom and Dad." No sense in keeping the truth a secret. What I don't understand is why they were so eager to get her away from danger they perceived from me but didn't help her leave Gabriel.

"What's in league?" Elysse asks as she pokes a cooked carrot.

"In cahoots," Matteo says.

"What's cahoots?"

"It means they worked together," Piper finally says.

Elysse looks up at Piper. "To do what?"

Piper turns to me. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to shut up or answer or do anything at all. But I have my fatherhood to defend.

I put my hand on Elysse's. "Remember when we told you that I didn't know about you?"

She nods.

"That's because my parents and your mom's parents didn't want me to know. They worked together to make sure I didn't."

Elysse's eyes widen. "That's mean. Why?"

I shrug. "I don't know." Of course, I can guess. My father wanted to build an alliance with Rinella. Piper's parents didn't like me. Plus, I'm sure my father offered more money than they could earn in a lifetime.

"Grandma and Grandpa did that?"

Piper sighs but nods.

"They didn't help you with… you know who?"

She shakes her head, her expression telling me not to talk about it in front of Elysse.

"Well, thank God Matty and I are here," Lana exclaims. "We're the best family ever. You'll see."

After dinner, Piper and I play with Elysse until her bedtime. For the first time, I put my daughter to bed, reading her a story from a stack of books Lana found somewhere that had been hers as a kid.

Tucked in bed, Elysse smiles sleepily up at us, her eyes heavy with exhaustion from the eventful day. After everything she went through, seeing her smile and feeling safe is an accomplishment.

I sit on the edge of the bed, smoothing Elysse's hair back from her forehead. "Goodnight, Elysse. Sweet dreams."

Piper leans down and presses a kiss to Elysse's cheek. "Love you. Sleep tight."

Elysse yawns, her little voice soft with drowsiness. "Love you too, Mommy. Love you, Daddy."

My heart swells to the point I can't believe it hasn't come out of my chest.

Piper and I each give Elysse one more kiss before quietly leaving the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

As we step into the hallway, I pull Piper into my arms, holding her close. "Thank you for giving me this chance to be a father, to be a family with you both." I add the last bit to test the waters, to find out if Piper is seeing this thing between us as a done deal. Her and me forever. Just like we planned at eighteen years old.

Piper looks up at me, her eyes shining with what I hope are love and happiness. "I never thought we'd have this. After everything that's happened, I didn't dare to hope."

I cup her face gently, my thumb brushing over her cheekbone. "And yet, here we are. Didn't I tell you we were meant to be?"

She laughs. "You always were so sure of everything."

"Not everything. Just you. Us." I give her a soft kiss. "I promise you, as I did then, that I will always love you. And I will do everything in my power to keep you and Elysse safe and happy."

"It's about time."

I snort out a laugh. It's been a long time since I've heard that irreverent banter of hers. Unable to resist any longer, I capture her lips in a passionate kiss.

"It's time for bed." I scoop her up and carry her to my room.

"You have a thing about carrying a woman to a bed for sex."

"I do?" I think about the last times I've been with her, and indeed, I've carried her. "Well, it's what dashing knights in shining armor do."

Her eyes narrow. "I'm no damsel in distress?—"

"No, you're a damsel about to be thoroughly ravished." I set her down in my room, only then remembering why I didn't fuck her in the shower. "Although not tonight."

"Why not?" She almost looks as if she's pouting.

"You're injured."

She purses her lips and shakes her head. "I'm not broken. But…" Her fingers walk down my chest and lower, lower. "I imagine you have blue balls."

My balls are fine, but her fingers dancing along my dick makes him perk up. I take her hand to stop her. "We can just sleep."

"You can try to sleep, Elio. But I'm going to suck your dick."