“So are you planning to forgive him?”
She shrugs. “I’m planning to let him explain himself. What happens after that depends on what he says. But I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Da can be very persuasive. I bet he put him in an awkward position. I’ve been there myself.”
“Whatever you want, princess.” I pull her closer, breathing in the scent of her clean hair.
My wife is alive, safe, and back in my arms where she belongs.
“You should probably know that I love you,” she says. “And that still freaks me out. So don't expect me to just hop into bed with you and pretend like you’re forgiven..”
I chuckle at that. “I love you too. Scared, angry, untrusting, vicious. I love it all.”
Her lips finally quirk upward into a smile. A real, honest to goodness smile. Fuck, I’ve been waiting to see that for so long. “Then let’s go home and figure out how long it takes you to resist me.”
“I’m well rested, ya know, husband.” She makes a face at me. “Which means I’m up for a fight if you puta finger on me.”
“Like this?” I thumb her cheek and dip in for a quick kiss.
Her lips part and she opens up for me. She’s fucking perfect.
“Kissing is fine…” she whispers against my lips. “Just kissing.”
I pull away before my instincts kick in and I untie her robe.
“Come on, wife, let’s go home. We have a dinner to get ready for and you’re the guest of honor.”
She groans and runs her fingers through the loose ends of her hair. “I doubt your ma will think a flesh wound is a reason to go easy on me.”
I climb off the bed and start gathering all the medical supplies I’d bought for her. “She’s a pussycat once you get to know her.”
“Yeah… Well, I’m a dog person.”
Tonight my wife will learn how the Viacavas work. As for her brother, he’s fucking lucky she loves him, or he’d be found floating face down in the ocean.
Either way, I’ll support her decision and stand right beside her.
Where I fucking belong.
35
TIERNEY
The atmosphere in the Viacava house feels different tonight.
Or maybe it’s me who’s changed.
Before, every glance his mother dished out had cut like a dagger. Every word she spoke to me was clipped, and her silence stretched thin with suspicion.
However, the second we enter the sitting area, all I feel is warmth in every stare.
Connor is already here, sprawled on the couch with a glass of champagne in hand next to Livvie, her head tipped as she laughs at something he says.
He glances up the moment I walk inside, his gaze catching mine and a sheepish grin tugging at his mouth.
Bronx’s mother crosses the room with quick, elegant strides, her expression soft in a way I’ve never seen before. There’s no hesitation in how she addresses me. No rude glare or dismissive side-eye.
“Tierney, my dear.” She takes my hands in hers anddraws me in as she presses a kiss to my temple. “Thank you for joining us. I’m happy you’re on your feet again.”
The last dinner I had with the Viacavas felt like walking into a snake pit with nowhere safe to stand.
