Page 73 of A Sinner's Truth

“I’m sorry she lied to you about that,” Aria says.

“Do you want kids?”

“You would make beautiful babies,” she tells me.

“Wewould make beautiful babies, but that’s not a reason to bring a life into the world,” I say. The more I think about it, the more I can see Aria as a mum. She’s so caring and patient. I know she’d be a great mother. “I don’t want them yet, though. I want to have you to myself for a while.”

“Same.” She smiles.

“Is that your only question?”

“Are you expecting me to ask if you’re actually in the mafia or not?” She glares at me, her expression so very serious. “I don’t need to know the ins and out of what you do, Santo. I know you. I know that you’re a good person, and I know that you will never hurt me. All I want is for you to be safe, not to take unnecessary risks. I want you to always come home to me.”

“I can do that.” I lean down and press my lips against hers.

“I need to go to Drew’s apartment and make sure everything is in order for when he goes home tomorrow,” she says.

“He’s getting out?”

“Mhmm. His mum and dad tried to get him to stay at their place, but he won’t have it,” Aria says, shaking her head. “He’s so stubborn sometimes. It’s infuriating.”

I laugh. “Is that the quality you bonded over? Your shared stubbornness?”

“I am not stubborn!” she gasps.

“Sure you’re not. You’re just strong-minded, right?”

“Pot, kettle,” Aria says, gesturing between us.

“Oh, darling, I fully acknowledge that I’m stubborn. I will always get my way, no matter what lengths I have to go to get it,” I tell her, then add, “You’re not going to Drew’s apartment, by the way.” There is no chance in hell I’m letting her near that building while Oliver is still MIA.

“I am,” she says.

“No, you’re not,” I say more firmly.

“Yes, I am.” She sits up and glares in my direction. “You are not the boss of me, Santo. If I want to go somewhere, I will.”

“You’re right. I’m not your boss. I’m your husband. And right now, it’s not safe for you to be out. I don’t care if you end up hating me for keeping you in. At least you’ll hate me while you still have a heartbeat.”

“I need to help my friend. The only reason he’s in the hospital right now is because of me,” she says.

“It’s not your fault. You are not responsible for other people’s actions. And if it means you’ll fight me less on this, Drew can come and stay here while he recovers. We have plenty of spare rooms.”

“You’d really let him stay here? You don’t even like him,” she says.

“I like him plenty enough. Besides, you like him and this is your home too,” I remind her.

“We should ask Eloise to show us some more places. I mean, if you still want to get a house with me. Just the two of us,” Aria suggests.

“I couldn’t think of anything better. But we’re not leaving here until the threat has been eliminated.” I need to go and see Gio, find out if there’s been any progress in hunting that fucker down. The only thing is, whenever I’ve walked away from Aria, she either follows me or creates a reason to come and find me within five minutes.

She won’t say it, but I know she’s using me as a way to feel safe. I don’t blame her, and honestly, I don’t hate that she needs me like that. I love that I make her feel safe.

“Okay,” she says.

When Gabe walks into the room, I take the opportunity to go talk to Gio. “I’ll be back in a sec. Tell Gabe how you were just saying I was the only good-looking De Bellis brother.” I grin at Aria.

“Well, either that’s a lie, or you’re blind as a bat, because I’m clearly the best-looking brother,” Gabe says as I walk out.

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