Page 58 of Christmas Vows with the Devil

Feeling my release, Dante stills, filling me up before collapsing on top of me. We’re both sweaty, panting, our breath creating misty clouds in the cold around us.

Dante kisses me deep and hard, squeezing my hand three times.I love you.I squeeze back. He quickly fixes our clothes and pulls me to lay on his chest, stroking my hair reverently.

“I want to raise my son differently—in a home full of love,” he whispers suddenly, breaking our peaceful silence. “Away from this bullshit.”

“You have that chance now,” I whisper, trailing kisses across his cashmere-covered chest. “Matteo needs you. I need you.”

His eyes, dark and full of conflict, skate across my face. “But I’m not cut out for this, Gia. I don’t know how to be a father. What if I’m just like...”

The scars from his childhood, the weight of the life he’s lived. He’s been carrying it all alone, for so long. And now, he’s standing at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take.

“You’re not your father,” I say, tenderly stroking his cheek. “You can be better than him. You already are.”

“I need you…” he finally chokes out, clearing his throat. “I need you to teach me how.”

Every inch of my heart fills with love for a man that, despite his insane childhood and even more fucked up adulthood, wants to learn how to raise our little boy. Tears slide down my cheeks as I grip his chin and find his lips again.

Suddenly, the door to the barn slams open, a gust of wind and flurries of snow shooting in. Dante immediately springs into action, shielding me with his body.

But it’s not an enemy standing in the doorway. It’s only the storm, relentless and unforgiving.

Reminding us that we’re still in danger.

Chapter Twenty

Dante

Soft morning light filters through the cracks in the old barn’s ceiling. My body aches not just from the cold, but from the tension of everything that’s happened. I glance down at Gia wrapped around me, her breathing soft and steady.

For a moment, the world outside fades, and all that exists is her warmth beside me. Her dark hair spills over the hay, her face peaceful in sleep. I can’t help but brush a strand away from her cheek. She stirs but doesn’t wake.

Last night changed everything for me. Not just because of what happened between us—although I can’t stop thinking about it—but because of what we said. She’s right, I can be different. I can be a better father than my own was to me.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, a soft buzz that snaps me back to reality. The signal dropped last night, and I haven’t been able to contact anyone, but I guess the storm finally let up.

I slip out of the barn quietly, stepping into the crisp morning air. The sky is still overcast, angry and gray, and there’s a chill that settles deep in my bones.

I glance at the missed call on the screen.Rocco. Maybe they found something.I quickly hit the call back button.

“Boss, we’ve got something.” Rocco’s voice crackles through the line, which is filled with static. “The kid was spotted in New York a couple of hours ago. We’re trying to track down the source, but it’s solid. The kid is definitely in the city.”

My grip tightens on the phone, a wave of relief and panic hitting me at the same time. “Where exactly?”

“We don’t have an exact location yet. Somewhere near Little Italy. But the sighting, it came from a credible source. We’ve got eyes on the streets now.”

I curse under my breath, running a hand through my hair. This isn’t enough. We need more. But it’s the first real lead we’ve had since Matteo was taken. And now, every second counts.

“Keep me updated,” I say, ending the call.

I stand there for a moment, staring out at the snow-covered trees, my mind racing. Matteo is in New York. Someone in that city has him, and they’re using him to get to me. But why?

This whole thing feels off. The attacks, the kidnapping—it doesn’t fit. The rival family I suspected earlier wouldn’t pull moves like this. They’re brutal, sure, but they don’t play games with kids.

There’s more going on here. I can feel it in my gut.

I quickly call Giancarlo to update the family. I learn the snowstorm forced them all back to the Vitale lodge last night.So many precious hours lost to this fucking snow.

He assures me the family and his men are on standby, ready for my instructions. As much as I want the Vitales backing me here, the entire clan showing up in New York would be toonoticeable. I promise updates as soon as I have them and head back inside the barn, where Gia is already awake.

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