Her gaze snaps back to mine as though I’d given a tug to an invisible string tethering us together.
“Don’t allow him to darken a single ray of your sunshine. Just let him go, okay?”
Her answering smile intoxicates me.
“Okay, D.”
I slant my lips over hers and silently thank God she’s mine.
CHAPTER 61
TERINA
Present
“Your house is shotto shit, Cosimo. I’m sorry about that.” Renzo grimaces at his top adviser. We’ve moved into the living room to talk while the soldiers have gone outside to handle the dead and wounded. I’m tucked into DiAngelo’s side, simply relieved to have him close.
“That can be fixed,” Cosimo says with a flick of his wrist. “The suffering we endured and the lives lost can never be undone.” His solemn words sit like lead on my chest, as I’m sure they do for all of us. Today has been such a tragedy.
“We’re not about to move on just because Pasha’s dead,” Renzo confirms. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since the Lucciano meeting. Pasha had rigged the place with explosives. We all got out, but only because the Reaper sent Michael to warn us.”
My breath catches as I peer up at D in shock. I had no idea I’d come so close to losing him twice today. I tighten my grip on his middle, and he places a kiss on my head.
The creases in Cosimo’s face deepen with restrained violence. “And Simeon will try to say he wasn’t involved. I don’t like it. He had to have known more about Pasha’s actions than he let on.”
Renzo nods. “At the very least, he turned a blind eye, which he may already be regretting since Pasha’s attack was staged in Lucciano territory. Gabe Fiore was livid. He tabled a marital alliance between us to show a unified Italian front.”
“Interesting.”
“Yeah, only problem is, we’d have to find someone willing to make that sacrifice for the family. I’d rather not force anyone.” A deep frown carves itself into Renzo’s face.
“It would be easy enough to find a willing man. We could put the burden on them to come up with a bride.”
My stomach turns, thinking of some poor woman being forced into an arranged marriage. I can’t imagine how awful that would be, yet I’ve seen the depravity of what we’re up against. The two families would be exponentially safer united against this common enemy.
Renzo nods. “We can discuss it. I think the alliance needs to happen, if at all possible.”
“I’ll do it.”
The words ring out unexpectedly through the group, our collective stares turning to Isa, who stands a little taller.
“Isa—” Cosimo admonishes her.
My sweet friend shakes her head, her lips drawing into a firm line of determination. “No, Daddy. I’ll do it, assuming they can find someone who seems to be a good man. I wasn’t going to marry anyway. I’d rather do this and save another woman the heartbreak. My mind is made up.”
My jaw hinges wide in disbelief.
Cosimo curses and storms from the room. I snap my mouth shut and go over to hug Isa.
“You take a little time to think about it, okay?” I whisper.
She smiles placatingly, but I see in her eyes that she’s truly committed to this decision.
“It’s time for us to get going,” DiAngelo murmurs to me with a warm hand on my back.
I nod. “I’ll text you,” I tell Isa before we make our way outside. It’s time for this day to be over. Pasha is dead because of the incredibly brave men in our lives. For now, I’ll focus on my gratitude for them and their safety. Future worries can wait. Today, life is good.
“You’re not goingto be able to talk me out of it.” Isa crosses her arms over her chest as she speaks in a firm tone.
