“With luck, you’ll be an expert in a century.”
“How long am I going to live?”
“With luck, for a very long time, Little mate. How about learning speed? Come and get me.” Titus winked and disappeared.
She ran into the bedroom and found the space empty. The door banged, hitting the stopper and proving he’d just left.Alessia turned to follow him but heard a shout from outside. Moving to the window, she spotted Titus lounging under a tree. When their gazes met, Titus stripped off his shirt and threw the garment over a branch before disappearing.
Oh, it’s so on!Alessia ran toward the back door. She’d learn how to catch him.
Days passed,and Alessia settled into her new life. Enzo had disappeared as creditors hunted him. Bram had shared that her mother owned the mansion and property so she and Alessia’s sisters, Serafina and Mirabella, weren’t thrown out on the street. While her mother hadn’t fought Enzo’s negative treatment of her, her mother had shown some concern, and Alessia didn’t wish her unhappiness. On the other hand, Alessia wasn’t interested in continuing their relationship. At least not at this time. Her mom and sisters were on their own.
Without having to worry about being sold off to Frankie or any other soldier of Enzo’s, Alessia enjoyed living a simple existence. Hanging out with Titus and his clan filled her days. And her nights?
Whether at home with Titus during the week or at Nightfall on the weekends, Alessia had found her happy place. Lovemaking with Titus sizzled at a level she could never have imagined a few months ago, curled up in her lonely bed with only Hopper for comfort. Titus made all her fantasies come true.
Her friendship with Carina helped her accept all the changes. As cheerful and unfiltered as ever, Carina answered her questions and usually told her too much—to Alessia’s delight. Darius, Bram, and Donovan interacted with her frequently. Alessia hoped they’d find their mates soon.
Alaric continued to be a wildcard. She respected his power while maintaining her vigilance while he was around. His presence was not one she wanted to get too comfortable in. He didn’t have a mate. Who could ever fill that role?
“Enough thinking, Little mate. Let’s go hang out with Marcus and Carina. They have a new toy for their pool. A giant raft with drink holders that can support eight people. Guess who gets to try out a new recipe on everyone?”
“Will you get on the bar and shake your booty for me?”
“Marcus doesn’t value that celebration like you do, Alessia,” Titus answered with a deep belly laugh.
“Maybe you can teach him?”
“Carina put you up to this, didn’t she?”
“Definitely, Daddy! I’ll clap for you,” Alessia promised.
“Well, if you’re going to applaud, I’ll have to put on a show just for you. Marcus may never be the same.”
Alessia was still giggling when they arrived at her friend’s house.
To her surprise, Darius, Bram, and Donovan were there. As she and Carina played in the pool, the men gathered around a table, shaking objects in their hands before tossing them on the hard surface. Even from a distance, the items they played with didn’t look like dice.
“What are they doing?” Alessia asked.
“They’ve waged war against each other for centuries betting on rolls. They call that one Knucklebones,” Carina said, studying the men with amusement.
“Knucklebones. Those aren’t real bones, are they?”
“No, supposedly Marcus’s favorite set disintegrated a couple of centuries ago. Darius carved those for him. Want to go see what they’re doing?”
“Definitely.”
They scrambled out of the pool andwrapped up in thick beach towels. Alessia stood behind Titus, watching as Darius collected oddly shaped wooden pieces into his hands. After shaking them, he tossed them. Instantly, a roar of protest arose.
“How are you cheating, Darius?” Marcus demanded.
“Four vultures? In one roll? He must be doing something,” Bram said.
“I made these dice for Marcus over fifty years ago. Do you think I’d wait until now to recoup the money you’ve fleeced from me over the years?” Darius asked with a penetrating look at the group.
“That’s a good point,” Donovan suggested. “He usually loses.”
“I don’t know whether to be pissed off more by the suggestion that I’m cheating or that I lose all the time,” Darius muttered.
