Never in my life did I think
I would be lucky enough to have a family like this.
But they're here, and I find myself wondering how I ever lived without them.
It's only been a week, but I know I'll never let them go.
I just have to finish this war before one of them gets hurt.
11
ANGELICA
Waking in bed with my daughter next to me is very different from waking with Dante's arm draped over my bare body.
The memory of his touch lingers on my skin.
The way his hands moved over my body.
The way he said my name like it was something sacred.
I let myself forget everything except the heat between us and I let myself get carried away.
It lingered all day yesterday too, every time we spoke or saw each other.
While we ate dinner with our little girl… Dante is the most addictive man I've ever met and I know I need to keep my distance or I'm going to be set on fire by nothing more than his smile.
It's toxic, and the world he's living in isn’t safe for me or my little girl.
Morning brings clarity like that, reminding me that Dante is a criminal.
That sleeping with him doesn't change who he is or what he does.
It only drags Sofia and me deeper into his orbit.
I slide out of bed carefully so I don't wake her, and I dress in jeans and a sweater and then gently shake Sofia awake.
She blinks up at me with sleep still in her eyes, and I smile at her warmly.
"Time to get up,Amore."
She yawns and stretches. "Do we have to?"
"Yes. We have things to do today."
She sits up and rubs her eyes.
Her hair is a tangled mess which I have to spend twenty minutes brushing and braiding.
Then I help her dress and we walk downstairs together.
The villa’s quiet this morning.
Marta's in the kitchen preparing breakfast and she smiles when she sees us.
"Good morning. I made fresh bread and jam."
"Thank you," I tell her, letting my mouth water over the spread. "It looks delicious"
