Hush: Family Secrets (23 page)

“Excuse me but who are you,” I ask.

Just then Uri walks in to stand next to his doppelganger. Uri lifts his hand and slaps the slightly taller version of himself in the back of the head. “I told you to wait for us,” Uri grumbles but the smile on his lips softens his words.

“Dude she still doesn’t know about us,” the tall guy replies with a frown.

Uri shrugs. His look alike sucks his teeth and turns back to me. “Well in that case, I’m Nico,” he tosses a thumb toward Uri, “this jerks younger brother.”

I pull a face and look toward Uri. “How is it we have been married for going on a year and a half and I had no clue you had a brother?” I glare at Uri.

Nico snorts. “No beautiful, not just a brother, there is our sister, my twin Annabella and our younger brother Michael,” Nico informs me with a teasing grin on his lips.

Uri looks at him like an annoyed older brother, before his eyes flicker to me. He gives me a boyish grin that is so not Uri and shrugs. “We are still learning each other’s secrets.”

“Oh my God, Uri, I have been planning a wedding for almost five months now and you have never once mentioned you had siblings. Heck, neither has Donatella for that matter,” I scowl.

“Okay, in his defense we are an odd bunch. Annabella tends to nag us at any chance she gets but us boys, we tend to drift apart every now and then. You just happen to catch us on a drift,” Nico offers in his brother’s defense. “As for our mother I’m not surprised she hasn’t mentioned us.”

That last part comes out a little bitter. Donatella has been so wonderful to me. It always throws me to hear Uri and now his brother as well talk about her with such disdain and anger. Uri has come a long way with their relationship but I sense something in Nico’s words.

“I told you to lay off it,” Uri grumbles to Nico. “If you would answer her calls she would tell you the entire story.”

“Yeah sure, there is a perfect reason for abandoning one son while keeping the rest of us in hell with no big brother to protect us,” Nico mutters as he narrows his eyes at his brother. His once sparkling eyes cloud over.

“This is not the time Nico,” Uri sighs. “You are here to meet my wife and your niece.”

The sparkle and mischief return to Nico’s eyes. “Yes I am. I see why my brother is twisted inside out. You are gorgeous Mrs. Valentina,” Nico flirts.

A growl rumbles in Uri’s chest. “Don’t make me hurt you,” Uri slaps him in the back of the head again.

Nico chuckles, “So what is this little beauty’s name?”

“Vita Khayla Donati,” I say proudly. We had decided months ago that if we had a girl her middle name would be named after my mother.

“I like it,” Nico says turning to his brother with a warm smile. “Life, it is a fitting name.” He nods his approval to his brother and something passes between the two brothers.

“How did I know you would find him here,” a deep voice says from the doorway. I turn to see a third replica of Uri. This must be Michael. Now he truly could be Uri’s twin. With the same dark blonde hair and brooding looks, he even looks to be about the same height.

I am at a loss as I stare. It should be a crime for these three to be in the same room. Michael is wearing the hell out of his white thermal shirt that is stretched over his muscled arms and chest. Those blue jeans, they are frayed and ripped over one knee and ripped on the other leg showing off the tanned skin of his powerful thigh beneath.

I have to blink a few times to make sure I am not seeing things. If I didn’t love my husband I would be drooling over one of his brothers.

“You just couldn’t wait could you?” Michael shakes his head. He starts into the room but is cutoff by a beautiful blonde that shoves him aside and rushes over to me and Vita. She is quick; before I know it she has me in a hug taking care not to crush Vita. When she releases me she looks down at Vita and starts to aw, ah, and coo at the tiny bundle in my arms.

“Oh my God she is so precious,” She coos. Vita chooses that moment to open her eyes.

“She reminds me of you when I first got to hold you in my arms,” Uri says with warm affection for his sister.

Annabella turns wide eyes toward him. “You remember that,” she gasps.

“Of course, it is one of my few memories from back then, but I remember being small but holding an even smaller and precious little one in my arms,” he replies and kisses the top of her head. She just gives him a teary eyed smile in return.

“I don’t want to remember ever being in your arms,” Nico teases.

“Come here,” Uri pulls Nico into a bear hug.

“Wow, you’ve done a great job,” Michael grunts as he steps up for his first look.

I am watching all this in awe. They seem like a family with true affection and love for one and other.
How did I not know about them?

“How did I not know you had brothers and a sister,” I ask incredulously as I look at three new versions of Uri standing before me. Even their sister looks just like them she is gorgeous with her tall frame and slim figure. Even in her tight jeans and off the shoulder sweater you can see she is slim with a nice set of curves, not too much, not too little.

“You wouldn’t be the first,” Annabella snickers. “I told you this wasn’t the greatest idea.”

“But it is so good to have my family altogether,” Donatella says solemnly from the door as she takes a tentative step inside.

“Come Mama, meet your new granddaughter,” Annabella says with affection.

All three men look uncomfortable. I have to bite back the laugh that rises up at the sight of the three. They look so much alike, even in mannerisms. I can’t believe Donatella has never mentioned any of the others. I pause in thought as I realize that she has hinted at having other children. Never mentioning them out right but she has said things here and there that made me pause. I never asked because the strange comments seemed to make her sad.

“I hope you plan to explain not telling me about your other children,” I say as I hand Vita over to Donatella.

“These bunch of brats like to treat me like I don’t exist. It is painful to speak of children that loath you,” Donatella says looking at Nico and Michael pointedly.

Nico snorts and scowls, Michael’s face goes from brooding to looking chastened. Uri just looks amused, while Annabella elbows first Nico then Michael. I can’t hold the giggle in any longer.

“Where exactly did you all come from? Do you all live here in the States,” I ask curiously.

They don’t have Uri’s unusual accent. That is unique to him. However, I can hear an Italian accent when Annabella and Michael speak but Nico seems to be trying to hide a similar accent. I raise a brow as all four of their cheeks turn red and they all look downward sheepishly.

“In my defense, I haven’t been home in two years,” Nico says holding up his hands in surrender. “I’m a professional footballer and I travel a lot.”

I wrinkle my nose at his response. It doesn’t slip pass me that he just said he is a professional soccer player, which I can totally see and is so hot. I look around my rapidly filling private room trying to find an answer. Michael is the first to sigh and answer my question.

“We live in Italy,” he grumbles.

“Do you remember when I told you our home there is on thirty acres of land,” Uri asks. I nod and he continues. “There is a house on the other side of the vineyard.”

“I will say now that I was tempted numerous times to just come over and introduce myself,” Annabella beams.

“Wait, what? Uri you…you…you old fart,” I growl earning roaring laughs around the room.

“I like her,” Nico chuckles.

Uri lifts a brow at me. I clinch my fist in frustration. “I don’t want to curse in front of the baby. Otherwise I have some really nice things I would love to call you right now, you toad,” I seethe.

Uri moves to my side and leans in to kiss my lips but I turn my face away. “Love, you know I always have a reason for everything I do. This is no different. I will explain it all in time. For now let us enjoy our family and this special time,” Uri sighs and strokes my cheek.

I look to Donatella and she nods. I’m still annoyed but I let go of some of the tension I’ve been holding. I am learning more and more that the Donatis are an interesting family.

“Is Luca coming,” Annabella asks hopefully.

“His plane lands in a few hours,” Uri rolls his eyes.

Luca has been in London avoiding Shannon, so this should be interesting too. I know my sister will be here any minute. I mentally remind myself that Uri asked me to stay out of it.

Vita begins to wail in her grandma’s arms and I become nervous. I give myself a mental pep talk.
Time to see if I’m any good as a mother
, I think to myself.

CHAPTER Thrity Seven

I finally feel like I understand and know who my husband is. I have learned a whole other side of him. After meeting his family I think I get the whole picture of who this man is. There are so many pieces to him but they all make him the perfect man. Things I didn’t understand before I am starting to understand as I get to know his brothers and sister.

The last three weeks have been a world wind of bringing Vita home, securing the house and entertaining a house full of people while learning how to care for my precious little princess. Uri rarely lets us out of his sight. I have been becoming impatient with the fact that he has yet to handle our little situation, but he promised he would so I am being quiet and waiting.

There haven’t been any further attacks but I sleep with one eye open and my glock beneath my pillow. It’s not that I doubt Uri can keep me safe. I just don’t ever want to be caught with my guard down again.

I can say that getting to know Nico, Michael and Annabella has distracted me some. They had been flying in to meet me finally before the attack, just so happens they arrived just in time for Vita’s birth. I feel like Uri is really letting me into his world, which is why I was so excited to be coming to Pamela and Nathan’s wedding. I know this woman means a lot to him and getting to finally meet her means a lot to me.

“Oh My God, you came. I’m so happy to finally get to meet you,” Pamela gushes as she rushes to pull me into a hug. “You are even more gorgeous than Uri described. Girl you look fantastic for just having a baby.”

I laugh and squeeze her back in the embrace. Her hug is warm and genuine. I have watched her work the room all evening. Everyone that comes in contact with her either greeted her with a smile or ended up with a beaming smile after encountering her.

Pamela is a beautiful woman and she is absolutely glowing in her gown with her swollen belly beneath. I met her sister earlier and she is just as nice. Rita remembered me and we fell into it like old times. I could tell by the curious stares of the other women that they wanted to know how we knew each other. That will be our little secret for now.

“You look amazing in this gown. May I,” I let my hand hover slightly over her stomach.

Pamela grins warmly and rolls her eyes. “You wouldn’t be the first and surely won’t be the last. I feel like I am being felt up at my own wedding and not by my husband,” she teases.

I throw my head back and laugh. I give her tummy a quick rub not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. Her eyes sparkle with happiness the entire time. When I step back she moves to Uri and cups his face with her small hand.

“And you look so happy. How does it feel to be a new Papa,” Pamela asks with true affection.

I watch the gesture and it really is innocent like a little sister looking up to her brother. I don’t feel any of the jealousy I felt before. I can see now what these two mean to each other.

“It feels like I never could have imagined,” Uri beams warmly at her. It is one of his special smiles not the ones he gives just to me but not one that he gives to many others either.

“I can’t wait to see her. I know it must be killing you right now to be away from her,” Pamela directs at me.

“How did you know,” I say with a small pout. I have called Donatella and Annabella numerous times already to check on her.

“Because I couldn’t stand to be away from the twins when they were that small, thanks so much for coming today. It means so much, especially knowing you had to leave her to do so,” Pamela says with softness in her voice.

“It is not as if she is far away,” Uri chuckles. “My mum and sister have her in a hotel not far away. Valentina would not allow any greater distance.”

Pamela laughs and rubs her swollen belly. “Uri don’t act like Valentina is the only one not willing to part with that little girl. I have seen you looking at your phone all day and sneaking off to make calls,” Pamela teases.

Uri quirks a smile, “Busted am I,” he chuckles.

Just then Nathan walks up to her side. Damn the man is gorgeous. His sister is a very pretty woman, but I hadn’t been expecting him to be so… Phew. He looks down at his wife with such affection. Bending he kisses her lips.

“Is everything okay,” Pamela asks him with concern as she searches his face with her eyes.

“Yes,” he says simply.

Pamela’s hands go to her hips as she craned her head back to look up at Nathan. “I am going to let that lie slide because I am assuming that you don’t want to ruin our wedding day with whatever is going on,” Pamela sass.

“You know me so well,” Nathan gives her a heart stopping smile before pecking her lips. He then turns to me and Uri.

“Has something changed,” Uri asks with a stern look on his face.

My eyes flicker between the two. Nathan shakes his head. “No, nothing that will stop me from keeping my word,” Nathan shrugs. Uri nods and it is as if the two remember that Pamela and I are still standing there.

“Nathan, this is my wife Valentina,” Uri announces. Nathan’s eyes narrow briefly, if I hadn’t been looking so closely I would have missed it.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say stretching out my hand.

“The pleasure is mine,” Nathan shakes my offered hand and says with a smile. I relax as I see it meet his eyes. I’m not sure what he was thinking a minute ago.

“I’m glad we are all here,” Uri starts and turns to look at me. “I would never leave you unprotected. Your uncle is hurt right now and I don’t trust anyone else with your life other than this man. He understands me and I understand him. I have done for him what he will do for me. I will be leaving in the tommorow to handle what I promised you. You and Vita will stay here with Nathan and his family.”

Finally
, a smile touches my lips. “In that case I guess you will be getting to meet Vita sooner than we thought,” I say to Pamela. I then turn to my husband and place a kiss of promise on his lips.

Pamela looks curiously between Nate and Uri but just shakes her head. She looks at me and groans. “Why do I have a feeling you have just as many secrets as these two?”

Both Uri and Nathan throw their heads back and laugh. When Nathan reigns in his laughter I see that look in his eyes again. I groan inwardly as I realize that this man knows who I am.