The Mafia's Babies by Kaycee Romano (rocket ebook reader txt) 📖

"I see you are a smoker." Leonardo mused.

She shook her head as she took another long puff, this time thoroughly enjoying it.

"Haven't done it in the last ten years." She sighed. The lack of sleep, food, rest and the stress from both work and Kiara's injury was taking a toll on her.

"When was the last time you slept?" Mateo asked her, pushing the buttons on the remote control so that now he was sitting up properly.

"Today morning." River shrugged, smiling a bit as she took the clipboard attached to the foot of the bed and paged through it.

Mateo raised a brow. That was a lie. But she said it so convincingly.

"For ten minutes." She added, a lazy grin on her face.

She took another puff and dropped the cigarette, stepping on it.

"Hey hey!" Leonardo exclaimed. "Do you even know how expensive that is?"

"Surely not enough to cause a dent in your bank account." She shrugged before putting the clipboard back in its place.

Mateo gave Leonardo a cryptic eye, a smirk on his face. Leonardo nodded, impressed.

Adam kept on telling anyone who would listen about the tiny crush the Capo had on the doctor and it was getting irritating. And people were taking his words so seriously and all were asking around if she was worthy of being the Capo's wife.

Mateo was shocked to see how far his men and women were thinking. He was attracted to the doctor but which straight man wouldn't be? She was perfection.

And he wanted her. He wanted to pursue her. He didn't do crushes. He was looking for the right woman to spend the rest of his life with. To become the wife of a Italian Capo and then Boss wife.

He planned to pursue her as soon as he was discharged because he knew the doctor wouldn't be interested due to professional ethics. She couldn't date a patient.

He didn't have any wires or tubes attached to him anymore but being in bed all day, doing nothing but watch TV or sort out paper works were boring. His abs had started disappear. And he desperately needed some action. Nothing was working in his favor.

"Everything's going as per schedule I see. You will start with your physiotherapy tomorrow?" She commented.

Mateo nodded, breaking out of his thoughts and looking up at her.

She was a fantastic woman but he had to admit that she was a bit boring, well all doctors were.

"That's good." She said, putting her hands in her pocket. "Then I will be off."

"Do you have to see any more patients today?" Mateo asked, knowing very well she didn't. She had her entire weekly scheduled sent to him. It was her off day today. No, he wasn't stalking her. Just making sure if he was being avoided.

"No. It's supposed to be my off day today but you heard about the blasts, right? They are still bringing in patients from under the rubbles and stuff. So all of us specialists been around for the past few days."

"Then sit here until you get called again." Leonardo said, giving his cousin a cryptic eye as he stood up. "I'll be right back."

With that, he left the room.

River contemplated for a moment before she sat down. "I am going to make a call real quick."

Mateo nodded as she dialed the number. No one picked up. But then she saw a message from her mom saying the kids were fine and Kiara was feeling better so River was relieved.

But this had Mateo confused. Who was it?

"Can I rest my eyes for ten minutes?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed, almost embarrassed. He nodded again.

"Thanks." She sighed again, leaning back onto the couch and closing her eyes.

Mateo took out his phone and texted the director of the hospital, instructing him to not call for her until he told him to. He replied in the affirmative within seconds.

Good.

Mateo stared back at her. She looked five years older with the bags under her eyes and a frown forever etched on her forehead.

He scanned her left finger which lacked a ring on tan line. She wasn't married and in Mafia world, unofficial relations didn't count. You were either married or single. So she was available.

And he was going to have her.