AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Aria, as Niko’s younger sister, grew up in the Mafia like Elena and Lucy, although it appears she had a more loving family. Niko is devoted to her to the point of being overprotective.
“But you’re okay now, aren’t you? I heard you have a bookstore. I think it would be so fun to have a business.”
“So, why don’t you?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes and jerks her thumb over her shoulder. “I can’t hardly do anything because of my big brother.”
“If you wanted out, could you?—”
“Careful. If Niko hears you, he’ll chain me down. Besides, I don’t mind this life. I can see myself in it.” Her gaze drifts off to the right of me. I glance over, wondering who it is she’s looking at, like a dope hoping it’s Liam. But it’s another man I just met today. Luca Conte, visiting from Italy.
“Don’t let Niko see you ogling Luca,” Lucy quips.
“I’m not ogling.” Aria protests a bit too much.
Elena and Niko come over to us. “Thank you for doing this, Lucy. It’s wonderful to see everyone.” Elena sits down next to me.
“Want to hold your nephew?” Niko asks Lucy.
“Of course.”
Niko hands the baby to her. “I’ve got?—”
“I thought I said no business.” Lucy arches a brow at him. Niko is a powerful man in the world of organized crime, but Lucy is formidable as well. Not that he’s intimidated by her.
“Just a little catchup since Luca is here.” He glances at me, and I can only assume they’ll be talking about Liam. For all I know, they’ll have him on speakerphone. Like I care.
I turn my attention to the babies. A boy and girl, Niccolo and Angelica.
“They’re beautiful, Elena,” I say as sadness sweeps through me. I’m not normally jealous of her, but at this moment, there is some envy. Elena has everything—a doting husband who’d literally kill for her and two beautiful children.
Elena smiles radiantly. I think back to when I first met her. She hardly smiled at all, and when she did, it didn’t exude ultimate happiness. No, that level of bliss came because of Niko and now the babies.
“They’re finally sleeping at the same time and for at least five hours at night,” Elena says. They’re rich enough for a nanny to help, but Elena insists on doing everything involving the babies.
“Is Niko too manly to help?” Lucy asks, her attention on little Angelica in her arms.
“No. But you know how it is…” Elena stops and appears to wince as she glances at me. They both go out of their way to not mention the world they live in around me.
I smile. “Niko would crawl over broken glass for you and the babies.”
“Naked,” Lucy adds, and we laugh.
A part of me believes Liam would do the same for me. He just wouldn’t come home to me when he was done. That’s what makes it hard for me to believe Lucy and Elena when they try to tell me that Liam has done all that he has because he cares for me. Donovan and Niko are devoted to their wives. They’d kill anyone who came after what is theirs. And when they’re not committing crimes, they’re home, giving their attention to their families. Liam could do that if he wanted to. If he wanted me. But he’s gone. I haven’t heard from him. I barely hear about him. Just a few overheard comments when no one knows I’m there. At least I know he’s alive.
But I don’t tell any of that to my friends. What would be the point? It won’t change the fact that Liam is gone. Forever.
The cool outdoor air suddenly feels stifling. I stand up. “I need to get something to drink. Do you need anything?”
“No. Thank you.” Elena looks at Lucy and then at me with concern.
I hate that. The pity. “Oh, I brought the babies a little gift. I’ll grab that too.” I head inside to the kitchen and get a glass of water. I stand at the sink, drinking it, wondering if it would be rude to leave now. Remembering the gift, start toward the entryway where I left the decorated bags on a table.
Before I reach the foyer, I hear men talking. I understand enough about this world to know eavesdropping can be deadly, so I ignore it until I hear Liam’s name.
“He’s fucking burning the world down,” Donovan says. “Who knew Liam had it in him?”
“He’s definitely made life easier for us,” Niko says. “The bodies of our enemies are piling up.”
