Chapter Twenty

Alessandro groaned as he woke up the next morning. He felt hair tickle his chest and looked down to find Evangeline curled up on top of him sleeping peacefully. He smiled as he gently moved her hair out of her face. She moaned softly as her eyes fluttered open. She looked up at him with a sleepy smile. "Good morning little angel." He said in a husky voice as he caressed her face.

Her smile widened as she stretched out on top of him. "Good morning love." She said softly.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead once she settled down. "How did you sleep, angel?" He asked as he rubbed her back.

She let out a small laugh. "That was one of the best nights of sleep I've ever had. Even better than the night we fell asleep on my couch."

He chuckled. "That about sums up my night as well." He said happily.

She smiled as she looked up at him. "It was such a peaceful night." She said softly. "Apart from the blackout." She mumbled.

He pressed a kiss to her temple. "It's alright. I'm actually happy that you told me. Now I know how to help you and how to take care of you."

She laughed softly. "I think you already had that part down my love."

He rolled them over so he was hovering over her with his weight on his elbows. "Are you hungry, little angel?" He asked softly as he lightly ran his fingers through her hair.

Evangeline let out a sigh of content as she enjoyed his light caresses. "I am starving." She said softly.

He grinned. "Let's get you some food then little angel." He jumped out of bed with an energy that he hadn't felt since he lost most of his family.

He helped her up and led her down to the kitchen. He easily lifted her onto the counter and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "Stay put, angel." He said with a wink.

She let out a joyous laugh as she watched him move around the kitchen with ease.

Alessandro was flipping bacon and french toast when Richard walked in. "Hey, Alessandro. I've been trying to call you all morning." He said as he stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest.

Alessandro blew out a long breath as he stood between Evangeline's legs. "I slept in this morning." He explained. "And my phone must've died."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "I take it this is your saving angel?" He questioned with a smile.

"Yes," Alessandro said with a bright smile. "This is Evangeline." He looked at Evangeline. "Evie. This is Richard. I'm sure you remember him from my office when we were talking to Braydon. He's my oldest friend and my second in command." He introduced them. "He helps me take care of the family and is in charge when I'm not here." He explained.

She nodded with a laugh. "I know how mafia families work." She teased him before looking at Richard. "It's a pleasure to see you again." She said with a wide smile.

Richard chuckled as he walked to the counter. "It's nice to see you again too Evangeline." He said as he rubbed at his ribs.

She frowned. "Are your ribs okay?" She asked as she tilted her head and studied him.

Alessandro leaned into her and whispered in her ear. "It was during your blackout, my angel. You knocked him out with a single kick." He explained to her as he held her a bit tighter.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly as she looked down at her lap.

Richard shook his head as Alessandro hugged her close. "It's alright," Richard said as he watched Alessandro go back to cooking. "I understand that you weren't yourself."

She sighed as Alessandro stood between her legs again. "He's a big boy." He whispered to her. "His pride was hurt more than anything else." He said with a chuckle.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held her close. "We were just about to eat breakfast," Alessandro said to Richard. "You're welcome to join us." He said as he finished the bacon and fresh toast and started on the eggs.

Richard scoffed. "I'm guessing that neither of you has looked at a clock yet." He said with a laugh.

Alessandro frowned as he put the eggs on a plate before standing in front of Evangeline again. "Not really. Why?" He demanded.

Richard laughed some more before saying. "It's almost three in the afternoon." He said as he pointed at the clock on the wall.

Evangeline's eyes went wide. "Oh no. Luca is going to kill me." She said as she tried to push Alessandro away so she could get down.

Alessandro chuckled as he held her still. "Don't worry angel. I spoke with him last night. He knows that you won't be in until tomorrow." He said softly.

She sighed in relief. "Thank you, love." She said as she looked into his eyes. "I didn't even realize that we slept in that late." She said as she shook her head.

Alessandro shrugged as he had her wrap her legs around his waist and carried her to the table. He set her in his chair. "Stay." He said playfully.

She stuck her tongue out at him as she got comfortable in his usual seat. He brought everything to the table and lifted her again. He sat down and placed her on his lap. "Alright angel. Eat up."

She grinned and dug into the food that he had made for her. After a few bites, she frowned. "Why aren't you eating love?" She demanded as she looked at him over her shoulder.

Richard laughed as he sat down and made himself a plate. "This is going to be very entertaining." He said as he started eating.

Alessandro rolled his eyes at Richard's comment before speaking with Evangeline. "I'll eat once you're finished, angel. I'm okay."

She scoffed and got situated so she was sitting sideways on his lap. She grabbed her plate and held a bite of french toast to his lips. "Eat." She ordered him with a stern look.

Richard laughed some more as Alessandro gave her a soft smile and let her feed him. "Oh, you are so whipped my man."

Alessandro glared at him. "Just eat and shut up." He mumbled.

Evangeline went back and forth between feeding Alessandro and eating the food herself. In no time all the food that Alessandro had made was gone. "I have never seen a woman eat that much food," Richard said with wide eyes as he sat back in his chair.

She shrugged as she leaned into Alessandro.

Alessandro grinned. "Let's get this cleaned up and then we can go to my office to call your family." He said softly as he stood up with her in his arms.

She giggled. "Sounds good love."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "Her family?" He questioned.

Alessandro shook his head. "I'll explain later." He said as he set Evangeline on her feet.

They made quick work of cleaning up before heading to his office. Alessandro sat in his chair behind his desk and pulled Evangeline onto his lap just like they were sitting at the dining table. He picked up his office phone and dialed Dimitri's number. "Put it on speaker," Evangeline said quietly. "I don't know if I'll want to talk to them just yet but I'd like to listen to them if that's okay." She said as she looked up at him.

He nodded and put the phone on speaker as Dimitri answered. "What is it?" Dimitri demanded.

Alessandro rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "You never look at your caller ID, do you, Dimitri?" He questioned as he held Evangeline close to him.

Dimitri scoffed. "Says the man who always answers his phone all grumpy-like."

Evangeline let out a small giggle as she listened.

Alessandro smiled in adoration as Dimitri asked. "What's up Alessandro? Find out anything else about Nikolai's reasons for wanting an ally in Milan?"

Alessandro blew out a rough breath. "No, I haven't figured that out yet."

Evangeline bit her lip as she whispered to Alessandro. "I know why he wants an ally here. "

He frowned as he looked down at her. "Why?" He questioned.

Dimitri scoffed. "Why are you asking me?" He demanded. "I haven't figured anything out yet or else I would've called you."

Alessandro rolled his eyes. "I wasn't talking to you," Alessandro said as he kept his eyes on Evangeline.

"Who were you talking to then?" Dimitri questioned in confusion.

"My saving angel," Alessandro said in a loving tone.

"You finally found her?!" Dimitri asked in astonishment.

"Yes," Alessandro said as he leaned his forehead against hers. "I finally found her."

"Who is she?" Dimitri questioned. "Where did you find her?"

Alessandro sighed heavily. "That's actually why I'm calling. Are you around your parents?" He asked.

"I'm pulling into their driveway now. Why?" He asked as he got out of the car.

"I promise that I will explain. Just please go inside and get your parents into your office." Alessandro said as Evangeline snuggled into him with her legs dangling over the armrest.

Dimitri sighed. "Alright. Give me just a minute."

Alessandro lightly ran his fingers through Evangeline's hair as they waited. "Why is Nikolai looking for an alliance here in Milan?" Alessandro asked her quietly.

She bit her lip as she played with the collar of his shirt. "Because of me." She whispered.

Alessandro frowned. "Why do you say that?" He asked as his fingers continued to softly glide through her hair.

"He wants to get me back and try to break me so that he can use me to become the most powerful man alive." She explained softly.

Alessandro nodded slightly. "That makes sense. No one would go against you if you have the world's deadliest assassin at your side." He mumbled.

Evangeline nodded as Dimitri spoke loudly. "Mom. Dad. Could I see you both in my office please?"

They could hear Dimitri opening a door and shuffling around at his desk. They heard a door close before two other voices joined him. "What is it, sweetheart?" Ivy asked softly.

"I'm on the phone with Alessandro and he said that there is something he needs to speak with us about." Alessandro knew him well enough to know that he was shrugging as he finished his sentence.

"Well put him on speaker then," Alexander said simply.

Alessandro rolled his eyes. "Same as always." He said with a smile.

"Alright, Alessandro," Dimitri said. "You have all three of us here. What's going on?"

Dimitri sat with his parents while he tried to figure out what it was that Alessandro needed to speak with them about. "I know this is going to be difficult to hear but I promise it's the truth." Alessandro started.

Dimitri leaned back in his chair. "What are you talking about Alessandro?" He questioned in confusion as he looked at his parents, who were snuggled together on the couch.

"I know you guys are still looking for Evangeline," Alessandro said, catching the attention of all three of them.

"How do you know that?" Alexander questioned as he held his wife close.

Alessandro scoffed. "It's what I would do if I had a kid." He sighed. "Anyway. I've learned something that I knew you three would want to learn."

Dimitri rolled his eyes. "Get to the point Alessandro," Dimitri said in annoyance at Alessandro's procrastination.

"Alright." Alessandro looked down at Evangeline and smiled when she gave him a small nod. "I found your Evangeline."

Dimitri sat there in stunned silence. Alexander stood up and started pacing while Ivy sat there with tears in her eyes and a hand over her mouth. "You really found her?" Alexander asked in a hoarse voice.

"Yes, I really found her," Alessandro said as he pressed a kiss to Evangeline's temple.

"Where did you find her?" Dimitri asked as he leaned forward, placing his elbows on the edge of the desk.

Alessandro sighed. "I found her at my brother's publishing company." He said.

"Where did your brother find her?" Alexander questioned.

"In Poland, I believe," Alessandro said as he looked down at Evangeline, who nodded in confirmation.

"Poland?" Alexander questioned in confusion. "What was she doing in Poland?"

Alessandro cleared his throat. "I'm going to let her explain that one to you when she's ready."

"What are you talking about?" Ivy asked in a small voice. "Is she with you?"

Alessandro looked into Evangeline's eyes as he softly said. "Yes." He grinned. "She's my saving angel."

Dimitri let out a laugh. "My long-lost sister is your saving angel?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes, Dimitri," Alessandro said as he rolled his eyes. "She is my saving angel."

"And you're absolutely sure that it's her?" Ivy asked with hope in her voice.

"Yes. I am one hundred percent sure it's her." He shook his head as he smiled at Evangeline.

"What color are her eyes?" Ivy asked quietly.

Alessandro grinned. "Purple amethyst with a silver ring around her irises."

"And her hair?" Dimitri asked.

"Black with silver streaks throughout."

"What's her middle name?" Alexander asked in a rough voice.

Evangeline gave him a small smile. "Her middle name is Selene."

Ivy let out a sob as Alexander wrapped his arms around her. "It's really her."

"Is she with you right now?" Ivy asked in a trembling voice.

Alessandro held Evangeline close. "Yes, she's right here in my arms." He said as he nuzzled into her neck and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of her hair.

"Could we um," Ivy hesitated before clearing her throat. "Could we speak with her?" She asked hopefully.

"Let me see if she's willing to talk," Alessandro said softly as he looked at Evangeline.

She bit her lip and played with their intertwined fingers before finally giving him a small nod. "Okay," Alessandro said. "She's willing to talk but she can be a bit shy."

"That's okay," Ivy said quietly.

Alessandro watched as Evangeline took a deep breath before saying. "Hello."

Ivy let out a gasp as she heard Evangeline's voice. "Oh, my baby girl." She said in a rough voice.

"You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice butterfly," Dimitri said in awe.

Evangeline bit her lip as she quietly said. "I'm happy that Alessandro helped me find you guys."

"We want you to know that we have never stopped looking for you baby girl," Alexander said. "We have been looking for you ever since the night you were taken." He explained.

"Everyone in the family will be overjoyed to know that you are alive and safe," Ivy said with tears in her eyes.

Evangeline blew out a rough breath. "I may need a bit of time before meeting everyone else." She whispered.

"You don't have to worry about that. I'm sure they'll be more than happy simply knowing that you're alright." Dimitri said.

"Okay," Evangeline said softly as she snuggled into Alessandro.

Ivy cleared her throat. "Evangeline. We were all wondering if it would be alright if we came out to visit with you." She said in a soft, questioning voice.

Evangeline looked up at Alessandro with uncertainty in her eyes. He gave her a small nod and kissed her forehead. "We would love to have you guys come out here," Alessandro said for her. "Just let me know when."

"We'll leave as soon as we get our things ready and be there in a few hours," Alexander said, knowing that none of them wanted to wait.

Alessandro chuckled. "Alright then. I will make sure my men know and have rooms set up for you. Only the best, of course."

"We'll let you know when we're close to landing," Alexander said.

"We're looking forward to seeing you guys," Alessandro said as he held Evangeline closer to his body.

"See you guys soon," Dimitri said before hanging up the phone.