Guilt follows immediately after.
Romeo’sfamilyis dead.
Right before Christmas.
“That’s horrible,” I whisper, leaning into his touch. “Poor Romeo.”
“I know,” Santo says softly. “It’s not how I wanted today to start.”
I close my eyes, trying to steady myself. Christmas Eve. Our first real one together without chaos or recovery. And now this shadow hangs over it.
“It’s not connected to us?” I ask, opening my eyes to search his face. “To our war with the Armenians?”
“No,” he says firmly. “Different war, different city.”
I nod, processing. “Wait, you said Marco too?”
“He’ll be back sooner. Romeo needed backup.”
I slide my arms around Santo’s waist, pulling him closer. “I’m sorry. I know Romeo is... important to you.”
Santo scoffs. “I like the kid…but Dea, come on…one less man who’s a little too close to you the better.”
I gasp “Santo Amato! He saved my life last year!”
“I’m not saying I don’tappreciatewhat he did,” Santo replies, a hint of petulance in his tone. “I’m saying I won’t miss the way he looks at you.”
I roll my eyes, but can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. “He respects me because I don’t treat him like he’s invisible. UnlikesomeoneI know who orders him around like a robot.”
Santo’s hands slide to my waist, squeezing gently. “I respect my men. I also respect boundaries.”
“You’re impossible,” I mutter, leaning forward to rest my forehead against his chest. The steady thump of his heart calms me, grounds me in the midst of this unexpected news.
“I know it’s terrible timing,” Santo murmurs into my hair. “But I promise, today will still be perfect.”
I pull back to look up at him, studying the determination in his eyes. “You can’t control everything, Santo.”
“Watch me try,” he says with that slight curve of his lips that never fails to make my stomach flip.
I shake my head but lean up to kiss him softly. “Fine.”
I sigh.
“Wait, everything is still coming from La Serenata?”
“Yes Dea,all the catering will be here. Far too much if you ask me, most of the men will be with their families.”
“Not Maksims men,” I say quietly
Santo steps back bit. “You have Maksim’s men coming to my home?”
I frown. “Ourhome and yes! Pietro, Sergei, Vaska. I can’t have Christmas without all my surrogate brothers.”
Santo’s eyes narrow. “You and your surrogate brothers… Korsakov is not invited.”
“He’sliterallymy family Santo, but yeah he’s not coming.”
He smirks, “Still upset at him?”
