Page 90 of Playing for Keeps

“Thank you,” Vivian said as she wrapped me in her arms. “Thank you for saving my brother.”

“I didn’t—”

“You did,” Mitch said from his place against the wall. He pushed off, stepping toward the two of us. “You fought off Parker and carried Vinny to the boat. You’re the one who did CPR, breathing for him until he could breathe for himself.”

“But you helped.” My voice was weak, my denial burning my cheeks and my neck.

Vivian pulled back, her hands sliding down my arms until her fingers curled around my own. She brought our hands between us, her eyes glassy as she ran her thumb over the stone of my ring.

“He gave it to you?”

“Just a bit ago.”

“Did you accept?”

Blinking, I glanced at Mitch before looking back at her. “Accept?”

Vivian let out a long breath, her lips pursed as she shifted her weight on her feet, her hip jutting out. “Are you going to marry my brother?”

My nod came without conscious thought, not an ounce of doubt floating through my mind. “Yes. Of course, I will.”

In a second, Vivian had her arms wrapped around me again, squeezing my breath right out of me. “You’re going to make him the happiest man in the world. I’m so happy you’re both okay.”

“But...” I pulled back from her grip, my arms wrapping around myself, the hug feeling empty where it hadn’t when it was her arms around me.

Vivian’s brow rose, and I swore it felt like she was staring down her nose at me. “What?”

“I didn’t think... I thought, at the wedding...”

Her chin rose a fraction. “Sometimes we have to say or do things in order to get what we want. I want my brother’s happiness, and I know that you’re the one for him. I just needed you to see that. I needed you to put aside your fears and see him for what he is: the perfect man for you.”

The perfect man for me.

She couldn’t have been more correct. And had it not been for the conversation I overheard between her and Frankie, I wasn’t sure I would have realized just how true that was.

“Thank you.”

Vivian hugged me again, then scooted around the other side of the bed to hold Vinny’s hand. As Mitch, too, gave me a hug, more hurried footsteps came down the hall.

“Jen?” Mom and Dad came rushing into the room, the two of them taking over where Mitch left off. “You had us so worried. Are you okay?”

“I will be,” I promised.

Marco gave me a tight squeeze, thanking me for saving his son, then joined Vivian at Vinny’s side.

With my family gathered near, Vinny safe in his bed, happiness I hadn’t felt in so long warmed my heart.

These were my people. The people I loved. The people I cared about. And though I’d been through a lot, I would do it all over again for them.

I knew now, it wasn’t money that brought evil to the world. Evil existed out there, no matter where you came from or how much money you had. It might have been part of the reason my brother was shot, but it was also why Kelly and I were here in the city we loved and not being sold somewhere across the world.

Taking a seat at Vinny’s side, his hand in mine as I looked around the room, I vowed to never let my fear get in the way of my love again.

My love for these people was stronger than anything, and I’d never, ever let them go.

21

Vinny