“How so?”
“Once it’s broken and someone new comes along, it exists, even though the new person didn’t do anything wrong. It’s sad because they don’t get the version of you before the hurt, but it’s also amazing because, while they see the damage left behind, they also get to see the growth, the survival. Those people come into your life because it’s their job to show you trust can be restored and life will be even better than you first thought possible.”
“And that’s you?”
“I believe we’re all caught in the tangled threads of fate. You arriving at The Dock before finding me when I needed saving is proof of that.”
My cell rings, the screen flashing Dante’s name, but it also shows a few missed calls and texts from Dante and Valentine.
“I need to give them an update. It’s been a rough day for all of us.”
“It has.”
She breaks off small pieces of ciabatta and passes it over to Bella and Edward while I text Dante and Valentine that Layne is fine, and we are safe. I leave it open as to whether she’s coming back with me because I don’t know.
20
Layne
Out of everything today, it was seeing my photo in old Yale yearbooks that gave me the answer I was looking for regarding removing Ariana Rothchild from existence. But that was also the source of my sadness.
Deleting any trace of me as her was easy. I hadn’t fostered friendships that would span decades, and the only family that had mattered was my mother, and I’m pretty sure my father was responsible for her death. My academic achievements were the stumbling point. I’m sure if that’s vanity or ego talking or if it really matters in the bigger picture.
But small things matter. And they always have.
“I think I’m ready to go,” I offer, interrupting Matteo mid text.
The way he’s been sitting while he texts with Valentine and Dante is purposeful. He wants me to see what he is typing, and even though that isn’t why I’m ready to leave, it helped. The look in his eyes when he purposely shows me the screen—sheer reliefand hope—was the reinforcement I didn’t think I needed, but judging by my own relief, I did.
Matteo’s phone scatters over the table as I surprise him, but in the next moment, he starts gathering our things. Without realizing his mistake, he switches the dogs back on alert with a series of hand gestures, and I flick my eyebrows up at him in question.
He has the good grace to look regretful, but the smile on his face is the perfect balm for my saltiness. “About that.”
I put a hand up. “Okay, you need to promise no conversation any of us have will start withabout thatagain. I’m still pissed I found out we were married that way.”
With a chuckle, Matteo offers me his hand on his way past. “Ronnie is a really good guy, actually. I went to school with him.”
“Is that how Pack De Luca is planning to claim their crown? Out with the old, in with the young?”
“About that,” he says with a wicked laugh and a joking wink, making the both of us grin again. We stop laughing as we move to the counter to say goodbye to Carlos and Gina. And then I wait while Matteo walks over to a man sitting at a table, passing over what looks like a bundle of cash concealed in a handshake.
He holds the door open for me and the dogs. They do their sweep, but I wait inside the café while Matteo does one too. I’ve watched enough movies, read enough books to know drama and danger has a way of finding you when you least expect it. Considering I’m now willingly a part of their world, the sooner I learn these small things, the longer I'll hopefully live.
“I’m driving. You know that, right?”
He pulls a face. It’s not ano, but it is awe need to talk about this later.
Matteo opens the rear doors for the dogs to jump in, then opens my door. He waits until I’m about to sit down before stopping me.
“We can always resolve the questions everyone is going to have about why you’re driving my car,” he says softly, and I lean in to hear him.
“How?”
His eyes drop to my mouth, which is his answer. I knew what he wanted to do, even before we left the café. I’ve felt it building between us since he walked into the room, but I have no issue winding him up a little too.
“You up for a bit of PDA? It’s a weakness of mine.”
“Real or fake, Matteo?”
