Page 11 of The Devil's Deal

And I believe him.

“Oh, Dom.” I toss my arms around him in a tight hug. “I love you so much. I’m so happy you’re my best friend.”

Tears sting behind my eyes, but I push them down. I don’t like to cry, especially in front of people.

“I…I love you, Chiara. You’re my best friend too. You always will be.” He hugs me tighter. “Promise me…no matter what happens, we’ll always be friends.”

“Of course we will be!”

We separate, and as he looks at me, his lips turn into a frown. “Sometimes I get scared you won’t like me anymore, like your father.”

“That’ll never happen. And if you ever try to stop being friends with me, you’d better watch out. I know you’re afraid of me.”

“Oh, yeah?” he laughs, the worry now gone. “What can you do to me?”

I roll my eyes playfully, swatting him on the chest. “I’ll figure it out. Give me a second.”

“Uh-huh. You figure it out while you read. We have a book report due in two days, or did you forget?” he whispers.

“Stop changing the subject.” I fold my arms over my chest. “Just admit you’re afraid of me.”

“Fine.” He raises his hands like he really is. “I am afraid. You can be crazy.”

He smiles, and those dimples I love make an appearance.

“Hey!” I giggle softly, pushing at his chest with a hand.

But I am crazy, because one of these days, I plan to find the courage to tell my best friend in the whole world that I think I like him as more than a friend. I don’t know what it means to have a boyfriend, but I want him to be mine.

If he doesn’t agree, I’ll probably cry. I can’t risk making things weird. But I also can’t keep my feelings to myself either, especially with Mom and I leaving in a week. I need him to know.

“Together forever,” he says as he lifts his pinky.

“Together forever,” I promise, hooking mine into his, rubbing the half of the heart at my neck, the one I gave him three years ago.

His is still on him too.

I have every intention of keeping my promise. Because no matter where I go, Dom will always be with me.

Chapter Four

Chiara

Five Days Later

Something is happening this morning.I don’t know what it is, but my dad seems way too on edge. He’s been talking to someone in his office, and there have been men in dark suits coming in and out. Men I’ve never seen before.

Mom’s not home, and she hasn’t been home since I woke up. She’s always here to make me pancakes. I’ve called her multiple times, but she won’t pick up. I left her a few voicemails just an hour ago.

She knows we have plans to meet Dom at the bakery this afternoon. She knows how important that is to me since we’re leaving in two days.

Why isn’t she picking up? I hope she makes it home soon.

I twirl the spoon in my hand, flipping around the Cheerios in the bowl.

I hear Dad’s office door slam, and then he’s whispering with one of his men right outside the kitchen. But as soon as they quiet, his heavy footsteps pound across the tiles, coming closer.

I keep staring into my bowl, hoping I’m somehow invisible. My stomach rolls around like I’m on a roller coaster.

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