Page 39 of A Sinner's Saint

“Yeah, they were teen parents. Not ten, though,” Cammi explains. “Let’s get out of here. We can do themeet the parentsthing another time.”

Sounds like a fucking fantastic idea to me. “Lead the way.” I follow Cammi through the house and out to my car before opening the passenger side door for her.

“Where are we going?” she asks as I slide behind the wheel.

“Dinner,” I tell her.

“But where?” She tries again.

“Cammi, it’s not a surprise if I tell you.”

“I can act surprised when we get there,” she deadpans.

I shake my head and laugh as I reach over. I’m about to pick up her hand when I stop. I’ve done it once before without asking her, without getting her permission. And although she doesn’t need it, I still do. I still need to hear that she wants me to touch her. That I’m not likethem. That I’m not touching her against her will.

“Vin, can you hold my hand? Please,” Cammi asks with a smile.

I hate that I need this from her, but I love that she somehow knows. She doesn’t complain or try to push me past it. She justaccepts me… and my quirks. I really do believe she’s a saint, and no one will ever be able to convince me otherwise.

I entwine my fingers with hers and instantly get that sense of peace that washes over me every time we touch.

I made a booking at one of the nicest restaurants in town. It’s not somewhere I’ve been before but I do know Gio has taken Eloise here a few times. I pull to a stop out front, get out of the car, and hand the keys to the valet. By the time I reach Cammi’s door, she’s already standing on the kerb looking towards the restaurant.

“Vin, I’m not really dressed for a place like this,” she whispers.

“You look gorgeous,” I tell her.

She glances over at me with slightly pinkened cheeks. “Thank you, but still… this looks… fancy.”

“You hate it.” I sigh. I really thought this was what I needed to do to step up my game in the romance department.

“No, I love it. I just feel like I don’t really belong here,” she says.

“You belong anywhere you want to be, Cammi. You’re a De Bellis now.” I hold out my hand and wait for her to reach out and grab it.

“Did we get married and I forgot?” She raises a questioning brow.

“Not yet, but we will one day. Might as well get used to it now,” I say.

“Mr De Bellis, welcome. Your table is ready.” The host leads us to a private area towards the back of the room. There are three other tables in this little corner with other couples already filling the seats.

I pull Cammi’s chair out for her. Everyone is looking at us. It’s because they know who I am, and within minutes, the streets will know who Cammi is too.

“Do me a favour? Don’t go anywhere alone for a while,” I tell her.

“Where would I go? I’m always with you or the girls?” she says.

“I know. It’s just… some people don’t like my family and I didn’t think… I should have considered what it meant to come here. I don’t want to scare you, but when word gets out on the streets that we’re together… well, I don’t want anyone thinking they can target you. That’s all.” I try to explain it, downplay it. But after what happened to Eloise, I’m not taking any chances. Cammi should know the dangers of this world.

“I get it,” she says. But I don’t think she really does.

“Compliments of the chef, sir.” A waiter comes over with a bottle of Dom. He picks up a champagne flute, fills it, and sets it down in front of Cammi before doing the same for me.

“Thank you.” I vaguely pay him attention as he places the bottle in the ice bucket and walks off.

“Do they know we’re underage?” Cammi whispers across the table.

I laugh. “They don’t care. Perks of being a De Bellis.” I lift my glass and wait for her to do the same. “I love you, Cammi. More than I’ve ever loved anything in my life.”

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