He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve seen yourself lately? You look like a vampire in daylight. Trust me, you don’t want Don Carlo seeing you like that. Clean up. Rest. Then we go.”
I rushed to the mirror. One look and I winced. My hair was a disaster, my eyes bloodshot, and my skin ghostly pale. I hated to admit it, but he was right.
Before I could respond, Giorgio added, “And let’s not forget the house is empty right now. If someone decides to pay a visit while we’re there, they’ll kill me. You? They’ll do... other things. Things you really don’t want to imagine.”
The hairs on my arms stood on end. I glared at him. “You made your point.”
Apparently pleased with himself, he pulled the blanket over his body and passed out without so much as a second glance in my direction. And honestly? He had a point. Now that I knew Carlo and Brando were alive, the smartest move was to take his advice and get some sleep.
When I finally woke up, it was already dark outside. Giorgio stood in the kitchen, sipping coffee, his hair still damp, clearly fresh out of the shower. He looked calm and annoyingly put-together.
When he spotted me, he lifted his mug in a casual toast and said with a crooked smile, “Merry Christmas, Emily.”
I blinked, caught off guard.
Christmas Eve.
I turned toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, where a fine mist clung to the streets under the soft glow of the lamps. The pavement and trees gleamed damp, wrapped in winter’s chill.Outside, people rushed through the cold, arms full of last-minute gifts and grocery bags. The world looked normal. Peaceful. Like none of the chaos we’d lived through had even happened.
Turning back to Giorgio, I gave him a soft smile. “Merry Christmas to you too, dear Giorgio.”
I poured myself some coffee and leaned against the counter, letting the heat from the mug seep into my fingers. Before I could ask anything, Giorgio set his cup down and spoke again.
“Some of our guys are back. We can head home.”
A sudden thrill coursed through me. “Is Carlo there?”
“No. Don Carlo and Maxim took Brando to the hospital.”
“Is he okay?”
“He’ll live. That’s what counts. I can call Don Carlo, if you want. Let you talk to him.”
I took another sip, then set the mug in the sink. “No. I’ve got a few things to say to him, face to face.”
Giorgio’s grin spread wide, and I couldn’t help but laugh. God only knew what filthy thoughts he had in his head.
“Let’s go. I didn’t bring anything with me, and I need to shower and change.”
With a teasing growl in his voice, he said, “Sure. I get the shower part but not so sure about the getting dressed afterward.”
“Shut up, you pervert,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
***
The house felt like a warzone after victory. For the first time, I saw these tough, battle-hardened men lit up with joy, buzzing with adrenaline. Everywhere I turned, someone was bragging about the number of enemies they’d taken down.
Apparently, Giuliano hadn’t seen it coming, Carlo storming in with an army to drag his brother out. They were blindsided, and he didn’t waste the opportunity and saved Brando in time.
According to Giorgio, if they’d shown up even a few minutes later, Brando would’ve lost his manhood. Literally. As in, castrated.
Now, Carlo’s name was on every lip. Fearless. Untouchable. His legend growing by the second. Even men twice his age were talking about him like a god. Word was already out. Every family head was on their way to congratulate him. The house was turning into a full-blown celebration.
I was still wrapped in a towel when Giorgio knocked on my door. “He just got here,” he said. “He’s in the bar room, drinking with the guys. Big win party.”
A surge of excitement hit me. I scrambled to get ready, hands trembling as I slipped into a cobalt blue sleeveless top and a short, flared skirt. I dried my hair and let it fall loose over my shoulders, the same way Carlo liked it. A bit of makeup, a spritz of perfume, and one last glance in the mirror.
I was ready.
