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

River nodded. 

It was not like River to fall weak. No, Dr. River Johnson never fell weak. 

But it was exhausting actually. 

Living in the constant fear of something happen to her children really had taken in its toll on her. 

River was a brave woman. But she was not that brave enough to keep it all together when she was stuck in bed, hooked to a few machines and unable to do anything to contribute to finding her missing children. 

And her friend. She had nothing to do with this. She was innocently taking her niece and nephew out for ice cream. She did not sign up for this. She was not born into the Mafia or bound to the Mafia in any way. Why did she have to suffer?

"And Jackie..." River breathed out, pulling away from the hug and taking his hand as she looked up at him. "I want her back safe, Mateo. She has nothing to do with this." 

Mateo nodded. "She will be fine too. They have no enmity with her. She is not their target. She just got stuck in between." 

River sighed. How the hell was she ever going to apologize to her friend for this?

Alessia watched the exchange between the couple intently. 

One, she was glad that River had changed Mateo for the better. The old Mateo would have blamed it all on Alessia and River for the kids being kidnapped. 

Alessia blamed herself. River was not very okay with the idea of the kids going out. It was Alessia who pushed for it. She felt guilty. And if her brother blamed her, then she would take it. 

But he didn't. He didn't blame anyone but the kidnapper. And that was a way of thinking that would make him a great Boss. 

Alessia didn't know if her brother still ran from his problems or not. But this was a development that she was glad to see in him. 

Two, she had picked up River telling Mateo that she loved him even though the couple themselves could not enjoy the moment. Alessia didn't know if it was the first time she said or if River had confessed her love while she was away but she was so glad to see the mutual love. 

Three, as much as she hated to, she needed to cut  this tender moment short. 

"Come on Mateo, we need to find my niece and nephew." Alessia stood up from her seat, and pointed at River. "Stay put doc, your mom and Nanna are on their way here. We will be back with the kids."