Page 65 of Devil's Thirst

Fuck if my chest doesn’t physically swell with pride.

“That’s the way it should be,” I mutter, not entirely comfortable with compliments. “Any man can stick his dick in a woman. There’s no real value to that. A man’s worth is in his ability to provide and protect—to make his family’s lives better.”

Again, I sneak a glance her way, and this time, that grin is practically splitting her face in two.

“What now?”

She giggles. “You callin’ me your family, Sante Mancini?” She’s teasing me, but it doesn’t feel like a joke. I wasn’t kidding when I called her my future wife.

“So long as I’m breathing,” I say without a trace of humor.

Amelie sobers. I wonder if I’ve made her uncomfortable by being so transparent, but she surprises me by snuggling closer and laying her head on my shoulder. “What are we going to watch?”

Hell, I could watch paint dry if it means being with her a little longer.

To keep from looking like a psycho, I put on a sitcom rerun and hold my girl close. I half watch while mostly thinking about how Talbot made a huge fucking mistake by sending someone to threaten Amelie. No one puts their hands on my woman.

Dumbass doesn’t know he’s only making things worse for himself. He’ll figure it out soon enough. We’ve circled him and are closing in, taking our time to make sure it’s done right. And when that time comes, he’ll never see us coming.

The thought has me in a relatively good mood when a text comes through from my sister.

Noemi: Any chance we can get together soon? I’d like to talk with you.

Tension ratchets into my neck and shoulders.

“Something wrong?” Amelie asks, making me realize I’ve audibly sighed.

“No, just Noemi.”

Me: I’m pretty busy. I’ll reach out when things settle.

It’s not a lie. Keeping eyes on Amelie is a full-time job. The bigger problem is I still feel like shit when I see my sister. She’s a constant reminder of how painfully I fucked up in my past. It’s getting better now that our official reunion is over, but I’m not jumping at the chance to feel like shit. Besides, it’s only been a few days since I saw her. She can wait a few more.

Noemi: It’s kind of important

Fuck. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Another sigh.

Me: I can come by Saturday

I don’t want to, but I can.

Noemi: How about 3? Boys should be napping then.

Me: That works. See you then

Noemi: Thank you! I really appreciate it.

I heart her reply and toss my phone aside, not wanting to think about the upcoming visit. She probably wants to ask me to be a godfather to the boys or something like that. Something that may be important but isn’t urgent. Right now, my focus is Amelie. She needs me, and I’m not losing sight of that until this shit with Talbot is done.

CHAPTER 31

AMELIE

If theGuinness Book of World Recordskeeps tabs on the most extreme mood swings in a single day, I’d have that title locked down. I’ve baffled myself at how swiftly I bounced back from utter despair and terror in that alley to floating on puffy clouds of hope and belonging. And it’s all because of Sante.

Well, I’ll give Gloria some props, too. She is my Mama G, after all.

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