Page 14 of Unbroken Promises

“As if we didn’t just see each other on the ice?” Theo steps out from under Bash’s arm, transferring his frown from me to his friend, before wincing slightly. “Sorry about your face, man.”

Sebastian shrugs, brushing off the apology. “Don’t sweat it. I get it. But you do owe me one.” His voice trails off as he gives Theo a pointed stare. “Come to dinner with us.”

“What?” Theo’s voice is flat as he questions his friend.

“What?” My own tone is incredulous, the pitch a little too high. “Bash, I mean-”

“Come on, man. Come to dinner with us. It has been way too fucking long since we have all seen each other, been in the same room together. Don’t you guys think it’s time we all moved on with our lives? We should be able to tolerate being in the same room together for an hour.” Looking pointedly between Theo and myself, I feel my cheeks flush slightly at the slight reprimand in his tone, and I sigh.

I feel a soft kiss brush the top of my head, a gentle reminder that I am not alone, and I breathe in Jonathan’s comforting scent. “Alright.” My acceptance is quiet, but I have no doubt that the three men that I care so much for all heard me. Theo glances over at us, eyes narrowed before turning once more to face his friend.

“Yeah, sure. Fine. Let’s do dinner.”

ChapterFourteen

Danica

“So, this is cozy.” Jay is seated next to me on the vinyl bench, while Sebastian and Theo sit directly across from us in the small booth. Rather than going to a fancy restaurant, Theo insisted we go to this small Italian diner situated about 10 minutes away from the arena. Claiming that the food here was the most authentic he has found since moving to Seattle. While we haven’t ordered anything yet, the small restaurant smells divine, and I am taken back to the savory flavors of Elena’s cooking.

In the months I was with Theo, both while I lived at his mom’s house, and after, I spent countless hours in the kitchen with Elena while she showed me how to cook some of her favorite dishes. Sometimes we would talk, others we would just relax in each other’s presence, the quiet like a comforting hand. She would share with me then, just little glimpses into her past. She would often refuse to speak about Theo’s dad, but from what I gather, he wasn’t someone worth mourning over, and from what little she did choose to share, I learned that we have quite a bit in common.

Theo’s dad, Eduardo, was the head of Giovanni Family, and a notorious Mob boss. He was vicious and cruel, both with his men and his family. There was no room for mercy, no room for love under his roof. It was a sign of weakness that he wanted to stamp out of his people. Unfortunately, that included Theo and his mom. His death came as a surprise to many, with rumors spreading that he fell at the hands of a rival family vying for control of the Giovanni territory. Whether you believed therumors, or knew the truth of what actually happened, his death was not, however, unwelcome. The world was a better place without men of Eduardo’s ilk polluting the streets.

“Yeah, very cozy.” Though his movements were subtle, the deliberate stretch and placement of his arm across my shoulders did not go unnoticed by the men sitting across from us. With a gentle squeeze of my shoulder, Jonathan pulling me in closer to his side, I fight off the shudder at the tingle of awareness from Theo’s direct gaze, unwavering as he continues staring in my direction.

Before I can say anything else, or pull away from Jonathan’s comforting grasp, a new voice interrupts and I find myself having to do a double-take as I blink up at the man standing before us. Tall and broad-shouldered, with hair dark and trim, and unmistakable piercing blue eyes staring hard, back at me. A moment later, Theo is up and out of his seat, grabbing the man who appears so startlingly similar, in a warm embrace.

“Tony!” With a pat on the back, Theo lets go of the familiar stranger. Turning to face our group, he continues. “Everyone, this is my cousin and owner of this fine establishment, Antonio. Tony, this is Sebastian and Danica. . .” his voice trails off slightly, but clearing his throat with a hard glare at my companion, continues, “and Jonathan.”

Glancing around our booth, Antonio is all smiles, his brightness in direct contrast to Theo’s shadows. “It’s nice to meet you all. Danica, I have heard such good things about you. And Sebastian. It’s an honor to have such famous athletes in my humble establishment. Jonathan, it’s nice to meet you as well.” Warm and welcoming, just like the restaurant itself. I can’t help but smile in return.

“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m sorry, I don’t recall seeing you before, back -” my voice trails off, and I find myself unable to even mention the phrase ‘back home.’

“Oh, I’m not from back east, like my dear cousin here. My Ma moved us over here before I was even born. I’ve been back to visit, of course. But my home is here. I have to say though, it was quite a pleasant surprise when my dear cousin up, and moved across the country. It’s nice having family nearby.”

My curiosity piqued, I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Oh? Were you and Theo close growing up?”

“Nah-.” A shadow passed across his eyes, so quick I might have missed it if I hadn’t been studying him so intently, before Antonio was grinning once more. “My boy, Theo, here? Well, he was busy with hockey and the family business. Despite our being so close in age, it made it hard to keep in touch, between that and the timedifference. We would hang out on the occasions when I went back east with Ma for a visit, or on the rare occasion when he would come out this way for a visit out with my old man.

“But we didn’t really get to connect until he moved here a few years back. Have to say though, it’s been great having him around. Not too bad for business either, eh?” Throwing a wink in Theo’s direction, even as he nudged him with his elbow, Antonio continued. “Can’t say it has been a bad thing having a famous NHL player frequent this fine establishment. All the ladies flock to see him, but so long as they order some food? Well, no complaints here. They may come for you, man, but they stay for my cooking.”

Looking between the cousins, the playful interaction taking place, it’s easy to see the love they have for one another. And it softened some of those jagged edges deep in my soul, to see this side of him again. The happy, playful man that I once loved. Maybe he is still in there, underneath the years and hurt that have driven a wedge between us.

Just as I was getting ready to speak, I hear a soft giggle from my left, and sure enough, as I turn to glance in that direction I see a small horde of women, puck bunnies, all vying for attention. A chance to catch the eye of Theo or Bash, both eligible, hot, hockey stars. I even see a few curiously eyeing Jonathan, despite him still having an arm around my shoulders. I throw a look over at Bash, who just shrugs in response with a roguish grin, and for a moment I am taken back. I may have moved to a different state, and be sitting with a different group of men, but the ravenous puck bunnies always stay the same. I can’t help but shake my head with a bemused smirk.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go see to that group of ladies. Danica, Sebastian, Jonathan, it was nice to meet you all.” With a quick nod in our direction, Antonio turns on his heel and is off headed towards the crowd which seems to just be getting larger now that word is starting to spread about who is here.

Antonio’s introduction seems to have broken through the tension of our little group, and the rest of the evening passes by with relative civility. Bash and Jonathan take up most of the conversation between the two of them. Discussions of Finn and Jay’s security business, Bash’s team and how they are holding up in the league this season, even mentions of Caleb and how he has been doing with the family business that he had to take over after my father’s absence. Through it all, Theo remains quiet, and I catch him staring in my direction often, his expression serious as he observes me.

The evening begins to wind down and the customers slowly filter out until we are the only ones left. The food has long since been devoured (I forgot just how much three athletic men could eat between them) and we have transitioned into more casual topics of conversation as we linger over our glasses of wine. I feel the drinks work as they begin to relax me, easing some of the tension between my shoulders.

“So, Theo-” I cast a startled glance in Jay’s direction, before working quickly to school my features. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” His eyes narrow, and I know that expression. Have been subject to it myself more times than I can count. Reaching down, I squeeze Jonathan’s thigh in a silent warning, but the motion doesn’t go unnoticed by Theo, who narrows his eyes at Jay in return.

“Oh yeah?”

I squeeze Jonathan’s leg tighter, and I know at this point my nails are digging in enough that there will surely be crescent-shaped marks marring his toned thigh. To his credit, Jonathan doesn’t wince, doesn’t give any sign of acknowledgement to my anxiety being channeled into him as he continues.

“Yeah, you and Danni used to be a thing.” Not a question. Jay is always blunt with his interrogations. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at his overbearing protectiveness.

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