Page 72 of Mistletoe in the Mafia

Carly doesn’t leave us alone for long. She circles back, a drink in each hand and a grin wide enough to split her face. “Drinks for you two. Joshua’s around here somewhere, probably flirting with some poor innocent woman. When I find him, I’ll make sure to point him in your direction. And just so you know, there’s a live band in the corner, a photo booth by the tree, and a very strategically placed mistletoe situation somewhere around here,” she says with a wink. “Anyway, I have to go. I’ll catch you guys later.”

She flits off to greet more guests. Once she’s gone, Dominic leans down, his breath warm against my ear.

“If I find that mistletoe, I’m dragging you under it.”

“Promises, promises,” I reply, grinning up at him.

The party is loud, sparkling, and chaotic, but right now, it feels like the most perfect thing in the world. Still, nothing good ever lasts forever. Everything I’ve built could come crashing down in an instant.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. But it could also be the time of the year during which I end up drowning for real.

CHAPTER 19

Dominic

The music in Carly’s ballroom is a little more subdued for now, soft jazzy notes drifting under the hum of conversations and occasional laughter. I stand by Madelyn’s side near the drink table, watching her sip from her champagne flute, her face lit with a warmth that makes my chest feel tight.

Her dress clings to her in all the right ways, elegant yet sexy. She’s glowing, effortlessly holding her own amidst a sea of ostentatious décor and extravagance. Madelyn’s a social butterfly who has no qualms about speaking to strangers; she’s currently talking to some lady who complimented her on her dress.

I still think this party is excessive. Everything feels loud except for the steady, calming presence of Madelyn next to me.

She looks at me when the other woman excuses herself. When her gaze locks with mine, her eyes sparkle with warmth, a quiet radiance that makes my chest feel impossibly tight.

“You look like you’re having the time of your life,” she teases with a grin.

“Oh yeah. I’m totally in my element,” I say sarcastically. “We should attend more of these.”

“Be careful what you say, babe. There’s still the FBI Christmas party in a couple of days.”

My lips pull down in a frown at that, but before I can retort, a blur of platinum blonde hair appears in my peripheral vision right before arms wrap around my neck.

“Dom!”

I stiffen for a moment before relaxing and hugging her back. The hug’s a little dramatic considering I just saw her two days ago, but I guess she was more worried about me than I thought.

I step back slightly to introduce her to Madelyn, who’s staring at us with wide eyes. She glances at me, then at Camila, her express shifting into something carefully neutral. Her fingers tighten slightly on her champagne glass, it takes me a second to realize she’s jealous.

I smirk at the fierce, possessive look in her eyes. And I’m guessing Camila must see it too, because when I look at her, she has a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“And who’s this?” she drawls.

I cough to mask my laugh when Madelyn’s eyes narrow.

“His girlfriend,” she supplies. ‘Who are you?”

“His cousin,” Camila replies smoothly.

Madelyn blinks, her lips parting in surprise. “What?”

Camila laughs, breaking character as a warm expression takes over her face, “I’m so sorry, Madelyn. But you should have seen your face. It’s cute how possessive you are over Dom. Never lose those claws, okay?”

Madelyn visibly relaxes, though her brows knit slightly. “You didn’t tell me you had a cousin.”

“I’m full of surprises,” I reply dryly, earning me an elbow jab to the stomach from Camila.

She steps toward Madelyn, offering her a handshake. “You and I both know how annoying he can be. I’m Camila, his cousinon his mom’s side, and it’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too,” she says gently, accepting the handshake.

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