Page 134 of Deathless & Divided

Lily snorted under her breath. “Right. How far do you think we’d make it?”

“Oh, we’d make it. Don’t you worry your pretty little head off about that. I’d make sure of it.”

“You would never do it for real,” Lily said, teasing her brother.

Theo caught her gaze and held it. The briefest flash of something unknown passed his eyes before it disappeared. “I would have, Lily. I don’t want to see you unhappy or pushed aside. You’re too good for that, little one. You always were. You should have a man who adores and cares for you because you’re everything to him.”

Lily’s breath came out in a shuddering exhale, emotions rising. “I have one, Theo.”

“Yeah, I guess Dino didn’t do too badly after all, huh?”

“Something like that,” Lily replied.

Theo caught her hand with his own and held it tight, grounding Lily with that one action. Her brothers had never been emotional men, as far as that went. She remembered that as they grew up, the boys had been taught to shut that side of themselves off and give nothing away. Sometimes that bled over to family and Lily. Sometimes it was just cold as hell.

She understood but that didn’t make it easier on her when she was just a little girl with no mom and dad and brothers who treated her like she was just another one of the boys. Then again, Lily had always appreciated her brothers involving her in the things they did as they grew up. Especially because the three DeLuca siblings were so far apart in age, yet Theo and Dino always kept Lily close in their own way.

Lily sighed, realizing something she hadn’t before. Keeping her close when she was younger had been Theo and Dino’s way of showing her their love. She’d always thought of herself and her brothers as orphans without parents, but that wasn’t entirely true. They had each other and her brothers had been the best guardians for her.

“I love you, Theo,” Lily said, wanting her brother to know.

Theo smiled but only said, “Yeah, I know.”

He didn’t have to say it back for her to know the truth. Theo loved her, otherwise, he wouldn’t be there sitting with her when he really didn’t need to be. He hadn’t needed to take time out of the day to make sure she was okay. It did give Lily a look into her older brother’s feelings about everything, however. Theo usually kept his emotions and opinions locked up tight. She certainly didn’t expect him to change that part.

“I have another surprise for you,” Theo said.

Lily arched a brow high. “Oh?”

“Yes, but you have to make it quick. It was hard enough getting her here, not to mention someone still has to get her back.”

Lily’s confusion jumped higher. Theo stood from the chair and fixed his slacks before walking across the room to open the door again. With a quick word to someone out in the hallway connecting the private back rooms of the church, Theo turned and opened the door a little wider.

Evelina Conti stood waiting with her head down and her hands clasped tightly together at her middle. She kept wringing her hands together as she glanced up at Lily with a small smile that quickly faded.

They hadn’t spoken since the night Lily left her friend’s house. She hadn’t even seen Evelina once because Riley wouldn’t allow his daughter to communicate with anyone outside of the Conti family and close friends. Evelina had been ripped from her spot in Lily’s wedding and replaced, even though Lily hadn’t wanted her to be.

Lily’s heart grew, happiness swelling inside.

Evelina had come.

She probably wouldn’t be able to stay if Theo’s words were any indication. She wouldn’t be able to stand with Lily like they had originally planned. She would miss the party and sending Lily off. But she had come.

Nothing else mattered but that.

“Eve?” Lily asked, stunned.

“Hey,” her friend said.

Theo cleared his throat, gaining Lily’s attention. “I’m going to step outside for a minute and see if I can find somebody to take Evelina back home that won’t send Riley into a fit. Try not to take too long, okay? I know it’s been a while and everything.”

Lily nodded quickly “It’s okay, Theo. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Theo stepped outside the room, letting Evelina pass by. Once the door was closed, Lily wasn’t sure if she should stand and greet her old friend or stay where she was. Evelina remained close to the door, avoiding Lily’s stare as she picked at her fingernails. A blanket of awkwardness covered the small room.

“Thanks for coming,” Lily said, breaking the silence.