“Come, come. I have lasagna, bracciole, meatballs, seven fishes—you like fish? Everyone likes my fish. My grandmother’s recipe. God rest her soul.”
A few people look up and make the sign of the cross. “Amen.”
I catch Damon’s eye across the room. He’s being held hostage by Aunt Gina, who’s pinching his cheeks and talking about how handsome he is. He looks at me with an expression that’s equal parts amused and desperate.
This man, who’s quite literally ended lives, is being taken down by a gaggle of Italian aunties.
“Really, we have an emergency—” I try again.
“An emergency?” Nonna’s grip finally loosens. “What kind of emergency?”
I raise my voice to get my point across. “A medical one. I’m a doctor, and there’s a patient who really needs?—”
“A DOCTOR! Frank! She’s a doctor! Vinny, did you hear? She’s a doctor!”
“Nonna, I have a girlfriend already!” Vinny calls from somewhere behind me.
“Well, this one is a doctor!”
Oh my God.
They start arguing and—thank the baby Jesus in the manger—the distraction is finally enough for Damon to break free and grab my hand.
“Come on. I’m afraid if we don’t escape now, she’ll force feed you until we have to get your Epi-Pen.”
“You’re not wrong,” I say, following his lead back through the dining room and out the front door.
As soon as we step away from the house, we look at each other and bust out laughing.
“We have so much to unpack about that encounter. But first,” I pull out my phone and show him the text. “Lane. This is Court. Wrong street.”
“Motherfucker,” he groans. “Let’s go.”
The moment we’re in the car, I put the correct address on the GPS. “Seven minutes away.”
“Ready?”
He guns the engine, while I double-check my medical bag. We fly through the residential streets, Christmas lights and decorations blurring past us. Neither of us speak. Now it’s real and we feel the weight of what we’re about to walk into.
The homes get bigger, more spread out, and less decorated the closer we get.
Then the GPS announces that we’ve arrived.
“This looks like I thought it would,” Damon says, as he pulls into the driveway and cuts the engine.
“Yeah.” My mouth is dry and chest tight. This house is exactly that. It sits far back from the street, partially hidden by snow-covered trees and a stone wall. There’s no lights, no inflatable decorations. It feels cold and imposing.
Flood lights announce our arrival. “Are you sure about this?”
I meet his gaze and nod, despite the nerves churning my gut. “Yes. I know I’ll be safe with you.”
He leans over and takes my face in his hands. His lips meet mine, his kiss full of strength, promises, and love. I almost change my mind and tell him to take me home…Almost.But I’m in this now. No turning back. “Let’s go ruin some asshole’s Christmas.”
Hell yes.
We exit the car as quietly as possible. I straighten my coat, check the comm in my ear, and suck in a breath. I’m Dr. Blake Hyland. Competent, professional, definitely not here to dismantle a trafficking operation.
Damon disappears into the shadows, heading to scout the perimeter to find another entrance.
