Page 96 of The Devil's Den

“Yeah.” Dom nods. “We can buy you two your own place once you’re ready for that, but feel free to stay with Chiara and me for as long as you want.” He had offered his place to us earlier, and we agreed to stay.

“Thank you.” A lump lodges in my throat. I can’t believe I’m actually here. It feels like a dream. “There’s something you can maybe do for us.”

“Anything.” Dom’s stare grows hard.

“This woman, Alison Greco, they killed her. We want to find her family. It’d mean a lot to Aida.” I could never tell anyone I killed her. It’s something only Aida and I will know.

“Done. I can get my men on it right now.” He takes out his cell.

As he types into it, I continue, “There’s another person she’s trying to find. Her biological dad. We don’t know his name, but her mom’s name was Cecilia Robinson.”

“Got it. I promise to get you their addresses by tomorrow.”

“Thanks.” I remember that in my pocket is the photo of us with Dad. My hand reaches in, and carefully, I pull it out.

Enzo’s arm falls away as he sees what’s in my hand.

“Shit,” he mutters. “You still have that?”

My other brothers hover closer and their eyes go to the photo too.

“Damn, look how stupid we look.” Dante laughs.

“Yeah, you do. Me? I look goood.” Enzo wags his brows, and I shake my head. They haven’t changed much.

“Mom and Dad would be happy to see us back together,” Dom says.

“You think they can see us?” I ask.

Dante sighs. “I’d like to think they can.”

* * *

We’re alone now, just Aida and me, in one of the empty bedrooms in Dom’s house. He left me some clothes, and it seems like we’re basically the same size.

Chiara had given Aida some stuff to sleep in too, and she’s in the bathroom changing while I’m out here, fiddling with my damn fingers like a scared little kid. How am I supposed to share a bed with her and not get hard? It’s impossible and wrong after everything she’s been through.

The mattress is big enough where I could move away, but what if she wants to be close?

The bathroom door opens, and my eyes sweep to her. She comes out in a long white t-shirt, touching the top of her thighs, a hint of shorts under it. I never thought a simple shirt could look this good on a person.

Yeah, this is bad.

“Does this look okay?” She twists her mouth nervously.

The unease, it brings me back to when she doubted how beautiful she was, and I instantly want to reassure her. “You look stunning,” I say, rising off the mattress, stepping up to her, a finger brushing down from her shoulder to the very tip of her fingers. I could feel the goose bumps I’m leaving behind.

Her breaths hitch as she swallows, her eyes meeting mine. She reaches a palm to my face, holding me still. “I want us to have everything together,” she says. “I want to be with you, all the way, but…” Her brows snap as she inhales deeply.

“Hey…” I tighten her hand in mine. “Whatever it is, I promise it’s okay. Don’t be afraid to tell me.”

She nods. “I’m just scared, Matteo. Scared that when you make love to me for the first time, I’ll see their faces.”

Fuck. My damn heart…

“I’ll wait until you’re ready.” I stare deep into her eyes, hoping she knows how true that is. “As long as it takes, even if it never happens at all. You are all that matters to me, Aida. Always.”

“I love you, Matteo.” Her voice grows wispy and low, breaking with emotion as she rises on her feet, her lips growing closer to mine. I lower my face at the same time and tenderly she captures my lips with hers.

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