A heavy silence settled over us. After a moment, he cleared his throat. “What about your parents?”
The question caught me off guard. I chewed the inside of my cheek. He’d given me a glimpse of his life, it was only fair that I did the same. “My mom was really great when she was clean. I never knew my dad.”
Raffaele studied me over the rim of his wineglass. “Tell me more about your mom.”
“She did the best she could in the face of addiction. Her behavior was erratic. Inconsistent. Now that I’m an adult, I realize she had mental health issues on top of the drug addiction. She killed herself when I was little,” I said quietly. “Left me to figure out the rest of my childhood on my own. I always blamed myself, thinking that if I’d been a better daughter, more obedient and less of a handful, she would’ve stayed around.”
The pain in his eyes mirrored the ache in my chest. He didn’t say anything, but his sorrow, anger, and guilt rushed through the bond, nearly overwhelming me. Why would someone so evil feel such things over me losing my mom? It was hard to reconcile theman Raffaele painted himself to be and the man I was learning about.
We fell into silence again, the city alive far below us. I stared out at the skyline, breathing in the oxygen of the human world. For once, I didn’t feel trapped or suffocated. I felt strangely free.
Yet, deep in the recesses of my mind, guilt bloomed. It was small, almost unnoticeable, but it was there, taking root. I had allowed Izo to kiss me. It wasn’t my idea, and I hadn’t wanted him to. Nevertheless, the siren’s kiss had transferred to Raffaele because I had gone back to his room and chosen to kiss him.
What would become of him? He was already a victim of his father’s abuse. Maybe I’d made the worst mistake of my life. Or, perhaps I’d finally taste freedom like this again. And not just for a day or two. I’d get my life back.
We finished our wine in comfortable quiet. I glanced at Raffaele, suddenly seeing him as something other than a monster. And that realization was both comforting and terrifying.
The day had been indulgent—toomuch wine, too much lounging. The nap I’d taken on Raffaele’s plush leather couch left me feeling both relaxed and slightly off-kilter. So, when Raffaele stood in the middle of the living room and announced, “We’re going out,” I blinked at him in confusion.
“Out? Like… where?” I asked, still curled up with a blanket on the couch.
“Out on the town. Dinner and a Broadway show.”
My mouth fell open. Of all the things I expected to hear from The Shadow, a man who thrived on secrecy and intimidation,dinner and a Broadway show wasn’t even on the list. “You’re kidding.”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I sat up, studying him. He didn’t look like he was joking, but then again, Raffaele always had this way of keeping me on edge, never quite sure what his next move would be. “Why?”
His lips quirked into a half-smile. “Because we both need a distraction. You’ve been cooped up with your computers, and I’ve been... dealing with too much bullshit in The Below. Humor me.”
I frowned. “I don’t exactly have anything to wear for dinner and a show.”
He waved a hand dismissively. “Eva will lend you a dress. She has an entire department store in her closet.”
Before I could protest, he pulled out his phone, texting with rapid-fire precision. A moment later, he looked up. “She says to come over. She’s in the penthouse across the hall.”
I stood, smoothing down the rumpled fabric of my T-shirt. “This feels ridiculous.”
“Good,” he said, holding the door open for me. “Go with it.”
Eva opened the door with a wide smile, her excitement radiating from her in waves. “Vivian! Come in, come in!”
I couldn’t help but giggle at her enthusiasm. Eva’s energy was almost infectious, the complete opposite of her brooding brother. I stepped inside and immediately felt like I’d walked into a different world. Where Raffaele’s apartment was sleek and modern, Eva’s was all soft elegance. Fresh flowers in vases adorned nearly every surface, scenting the air with a rich perfume.
“Wow,” I said, taking it all in. “This place is stunning.”
Eva waved her hand as if it were nothing. “Oh, it’s just a little something I threw together. Let’s get you ready.” She grabbed my hand and led me down a hallway to what I quickly realizedwasn’t just a closet—it was a palace of couture. Floor-to-ceiling racks of designer gowns, shelves lined with red-soled heels, and displays of handbags that probably cost more than my old New Jersey apartment.
“This is insane,” I said, my voice trailing off as I took it all in.
Eva laughed, already sifting through the racks with practiced ease. “I know. Shopping is my guilty pleasure. Now, let’s find you something to wear.” She paused, pulling out a shimmering green gown that looked both elegant and jaw-droppingly expensive. “This. You’ll look perfect.”
I raised an eyebrow. “That looks like it costs more than my soul.”
She laughed. “It probably does. But don’t worry—if you spill wine on it, Raffaele will just buy me a new one.”
“That sounds about right,” I muttered. Raffaele had certainly made sure Eva was taken care of, which didn’t make me jealous in the slightest. I was happy to see someone who, like me, had been given an unfair hand as a child, rise above her circumstances. Thanks to her brother, Eva was living her best life in a New York City penthouse. Not to mention, she was an extremely successful lawyer.
