Page 26 of A Sinner's Truth

Aria smiles, a little colour returning to her cheeks. “You think I’m pretty?”

I roll my eyes. “You know you are. Come on, let’s get this over with. Just remember: Whatever you hear about me, don’t believe a word of it. Or at the very least, come and ask me if it’s true first.”

“Are you a serial killer?” Aria asks as we walk up to the front of the house.

I chuckle. “No. Are you?”

“I couldn’t be. I don’t like blood,” she says.

“There are plenty of ways to kill someone without making them bleed,” I grunt.

“Okay, well, if I ever consider that career path, I’ll ask you for pointers. Are you a cannibal?”

“What the fuck? No.” My face screws up at the thought of eating human flesh.

“Okay, well, whatever anyone tells me about you, it can’t be that bad. You’re not going to kill or eat me.” She shrugs.

My eyes roam over her body.I could definitely eat her.

I shake that thought from my head. I can’t go there. I won’t go there. I’m doing this for her, to help her. Call it my good deedfor the decade. The fact that I don’t hate being around her just makes it a hell of a lot easier.

With Aria’s hand gripped firmly in mine, I push open the door and am immediately ambushed by Eloise, who shoves my crying nephew into my arms. “Good. You’re here. He’s in a mood, and it’s your fault. Take Aurelio with you. It’ll make him less grouchy,” she tells me before turning to Aria. “Hi! I’m El, his sister-in-law, and I guess yours now too. Welcome to the family and don’t pay attention to my husband’s mood. I swear he has better moments.”

“Thank you. It’s good to meet you.” Aria smiles politely at Eloise and then glances at me with a strange expression on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her while bouncing my nephew up and down. He stops crying and snuggles into me.

“Nothing. Are you in trouble?” she whispers, as if she doesn’t want anyone to hear.

“No.” I clasp Aria’s hand in mine again as I turn back to my sister-in-law. “El, you go first. He won’t shoot if you’re in front of me.” Aria’s face pales again. I squeeze her hand. “I’m kidding. My brother has never shot me, on purpose,” I assure her.

“But he’s shot you…not on purpose?” she asks me.

“It was an accident, when we were kids. Long story.” I smile, trying to ease some of her apprehension. It’s gotta be daunting coming here.

“I didn’t know that,” Eloise says.

“There’s a lot you don’t know. Gio was a slutty teenager.” I laugh.

Eloise glares at me, and right now, I think she might be more intimidating than my brother. “Take that back,” she growls.

“Whoa, calm your farm. I take it back.” I look at Aria, nodding my head as soon as Eloise isn’t looking, and earn myself a little giggle.

The moment we step foot into Gio’s office, I realise he’s not alone. No, all of my brothers are in here. Great way to throw Aria right into the wolves’ den. I was hoping to soften the blow by introducing her to each of them individually, spread out over a couple of days.

“Did I miss the memo? This a family reunion?” I ask.

“Oh shit, kid has jokes.” Gabe laughs. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”

“Fuck off. Everyone, this is Aria, my wife. Aria, this is Gio, Gabe, Marcel, and Vin—my dipshit brothers.” I point each of them out as I go.

Gabe is the first to step forward and wrap his arms around Aria. She, however, doesn’t drop my hand. She returns his hug with one arm while squeezing my fingers so fucking tight I think they might fall off.

“You’re too pretty for his ugly mug,” Gabe says.

“You do realise you look alike, like really alike,” Aria replies, glancing from me to my brother and back to me again.

“Yeah, but I’m prettier.” Gabe smirks.

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