Dante’s wife, Layla, pulls Hailey into a hug, kissing both her cheeks, eyes sparkling with pure joy before she moves to Bianca and Violet, gushing over her big bump and begging to touch it when the baby starts kicking.
“Leilani,” Koby prompts, gently tugging my wrist as he steps forward to clasp Dante’s hand.
“Hello.” I offer the man a small wave, my cheeks heating because who the hellwavesat a mafia boss? “We’ve already met,” I continue, digging my grave deeper as I swipe the air around my collarbones. “Though I was about this high.”
Dante nods, his green eyes scanning my face. “You came to visit Carter with Aalyiah. I remember.”
My cheeks heat up, a memory resurfacing from the depths of my subconscious. I forgot about the trouble we caused.
“Yes... sorry about that.”
He flaps a dismissive hand. “It’s in the past. I’m sure you’ve given up shooting wine bottles with a Glock.”
“How come I’ve never heard that story?” Broadway chuckles, slotting himself between Koby and me, his arm draped over my shoulder. “She might not be shooting guns anymore, but she’s shooting her fists into Koby’s face.” He playfully ruffles my hair.
“You shot at wine bottles?” Koby asks, raising one eyebrow.
“Aalyiah and Leilani stayed with us when they visited,” Layla supplies, her heels clicking as she ascends the concrete steps. “One night, Aalyiah stole a bottle of wine, drank half of it, then thought it was a good idea to go out the back and do some targetpractice... Leilani here, sober, might I add, kept bringing out more bottles. She’d emptied half my collection by the time Dante and I came home.”
Everyone chuckles and my shoulders relax a touch, then a touch more when Layla pulls me into her embrace.
“It’s good to see you again. Please stay out of my wine cellar.”
I smile. “Pinky promise.”
Dante moves, beckoning us all inside with a jut of his chin. Koby weaves our fingers together, beelining for the entrance, and as soon as we cross the threshold, I feel smaller somehow.
If I thought Carter’s mansion was a thing of beauty, Dante’s home is the cherry on the cake. I’ve seen my fair share of mafia homes. I lived in one most of my life, but this is another level of luxury.
Marble gleams beneath my feet, crystal chandeliers throw warm light across glossy surfaces, and expensive art dots the walls. Every detail screams money and taste. It’s not cold; it’s lived in, softened by Layla’s touch, no doubt.
The others move with ease, settling into the many seating options around the living room. Hailey’s laughter fills my ears as Layla draws her into conversation, Broadway mutters something to Ryder that earns him a sharp elbow.
Everyone looks put together, certain of their place. Meanwhile, I’m hoping no one notices the tightness in my smile, wondering if I could belong. Whether I’ll get the chance.
I know Koby cares about me. I know he wants me, but while I’m still relearning how to function, I worry it’s all just temporary. That once the Grey brothers are dead and I’m free to leave, Koby won’t stop me.
“Where’s everyone else?” Carter asks, holding a crystal glass, amber liquid sloshing around the ice cubes.
“They’re working,” Dante says, handing out drinks to the men while Layla does the rounds with a bottle of wine, raisingher eyebrow as she fills my glass. “If we need their input, I’ll call them in.”
We settle down, a murmur of easy conversations all around us. Dante’s explaining to the guys how things have changed since they left, while Layla’s engrossed in a conversation with Violet about baby names.
I can’t focus on either; my eyes swing back to Carter every few seconds because he’s watching Layla like a hawk. I glance at Hailey, who doesn’t notice how interested her man is in another woman.
“Stop thinking so hard,” Koby whispers in my ear, his thumb rubbing a slow circle in the curve of my neck.
“You don’t know what I’m thinking.”
“I know you’re overthinking.”
I scoot closer, lowering my voice to a whisper. “Have you noticed how Carter watches Layla?”
“You think he’s got a thing for his boss’s wife?” He chuckles, pecking my temple. “He’d have been dead a long time ago if that was the case, hellcat. She’s like a sister to him.”
“The way he looks at her—”
“Isn’t romantic. He’s worried, Leilani.”
