“He kissed her, you know.”
A wave of cold washes over me. “Why are you telling me this?”
“He kissed her, and she felt nothing. She said it was like eating when you’re not hungry. It just wasn’t what she wanted.”
He kissed her. Does that mean she hasn’t fucked him? Something in my ribcage unclenches a fraction.
“She’s too busy being yours to be available for anyone else.” Siena eyes me narrowly. “I didn’t love that but now that you’veconfirmed that you are willing to do what it takes to get her back… go get our girl, Vin.”
I cannot fucking believe what I’m hearing. “Really.”
“That’s my professional opinion as the woman who knows her better than anyone and as the person who has been cleaning up after your bullshit choices for the last year.” She tilts her head. “But you have to do it right. And you’re going to have to put in the work. You cannot—and I cannot stress this enough—have sex with her and then disappear.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” She raises an eyebrow. “Because your track record suggests otherwise.”
“I fucking know that, Siena.”
I don’t intend to fuck her and leave. I intend to fuck her over and over and over and over again for the rest of her fucking life.
“Okay.” She nods once and sits back in her chair. “Then I’ll help you. But Vin, if you hurt her again, I will make what the Irish are planning for you look mild. Are we clear?”
I have to work hard not to roll my eyes. “I appreciate your approval, Siena. But I don’t need your help.”
“Of course you don’t. Your Vin fucking Demonio, right? So how’s that going for you?”
I glare at her for a moment. “Fine. What do you have in mind?”
30
SOPHIE
The food is still warm when I let myself into Siena and Matti’s apartment, a ceramic pot ofribollitatucked against my hip and a bag of to-go boxes from the Arsenal in my other hand.
Siena invited me over for girls time, but that usually happens anywhere but her house. I guess with the war on, she needs to take precautions, though, so I’m here with enough food to get her, Matti, and Emilia through the next week.
Turns out ‘girls time’ wasn’t really what she needed.
What she needed was to get me here.
When I make my way from the kitchen to the living room, Vin is standing at the wall-length windows looking 40+ stories downinto the lobby of Dragovari Tower. He’s holding Emilia against his chest, and I stop short.
One hand is splayed wide across her back, a forearm braced under her, his chin tipped down to look at her. Emilia, for her part, is fisting the collar of his shirt with both hands, staring up at him with adoring eyes.
I know that feeling, baby girl.
A sense of familiarity moves through me and I press it back down before it can show on my face. I turn to Siena and open my mouth to speak but she holds up one finger to stop me.
“I know what you’re thinking, and I’m sorry.” She doesn’t sound sorry. She crosses to Vin and lifts Emilia from his arms. ”But you need to hear him out.”
“That’s not for you to decide, Siena.” I’m angry, really freaking angry. Why does everyone think they know what’s best for me?
“I know. I know what I’m asking.” There’s genuine worry on her face, and it throws me off. Who is she worried about? Me? Vin? “Just hear him out. That’s all I’m asking. Please.”
“Sophie.” Vin drops his gaze to the floor and looks up at me through his eyelashes. Dang. It. “Please.”
Again with the please. I roll my eyes and turn back to Siena. “I’m only doing this for you.”
