Page 146 of Fratelli: Eternal Bloodlines

“What’s in your hand?” Lucio asked, his voice calm but curious.

Darlene looked down at the gem resting in her palm. Her heart raced, and she fought to steady herself. Lucio’s eyes hardened as he studied the glowing stone, his expression darkened with suspicion. For a brief moment, fear clawed ather. If he touched it, if the power within awakened, what would happen?

She forced a lighthearted smile and held it up for him to see. “I don’t know. I found it. Isn’t it pretty? Can I keep it?”

Lucio’s frown softened; the tension eased from his face. He shrugged with disinterest. “Sure.”

Darlene let out a quiet breath of relief. “Where’s Dolly?”

“I told her I wanted to talk to you,” he said, and pulled out a chair. And sat across from her at the small table.

“Me? Why? What’s wrong?” she asked. She tried to read his mood.

Lucio leaned forward, his gaze steady. “I wanted to thank you. For both of us. We didn’t respect your power, Darlene. Or you. The last time I saw you, I was saying goodbye, making love to you as if that were enough. You deserve more than my lust or my regret. I am going to make it up to you, every single moment we share.”

“It’s okay,” Darlene said quickly. “I’m not mad anymore. We made up. I have Domen—done away with my jealousy. Right now, focus on healing. That’s the important thing.”

“I love you,” Lucio cut in.

Darlene froze. The words hung between them, heavy and unfamiliar. She had heard Lucio say those words to Dolly countless times. She had just heard Domencio say them to her. Now Lucio was once again saying words that had a dangerous meaning. If he loved her the way Domencio did, then where would it all end. “What?”

“I love you,” he repeated, his voice softer but certain.

“You don’t have to say that anymore,” she stammered. “I know you love Dolly too.”

“I do,” Lucio said, his voice steady. “I love her with everything I am. But you and Dolly... you’re not separate. You’re the same. Don’t you see that now? Here you can be separatefor us to be together, but you are the same. You are mine. I am yours. We are mates.”

Darlene blinked, unsure how to respond. Instead, she bit her nail, feeling the weight of his words.

“I have my greatest dream come true. A real family,” Lucio said with a smile. “No more pain, no more suffering. We’re in peace.”

“Here? In this place?” Darlene frowned, glancing around the cabin. “It stinks.”

Lucio chuckled, the sound deep and soothing. “It’s safe. Maman Julia’s protection holds here. The Draquria can’t touch us. It’s why when I felt you trying to bring us her I helped. And understood. This is our sanctuary.”

“Oh? So, we’re not in hell?” Darlene asked, half-joking.

Lucio laughed, the tension breaking. “No! Why would you think we went to hell?”

She shrugged, grinning. “I don’t know. Just a feeling.”

He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. The touch was gentle, tender—something she always wanted from him. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.

“I’m so happy now,” Lucio said, his voice low.

“Me too, I guess” she whispered, her cheeks flushed.

“Oh! Wait!” Lucio stood abruptly, grabbing a basin from the side of the room. “We have a pump. I can get fresh rainwater from the roof. Be right back.”

“For what?” she called after him, but he was already out the door.

Dolly emerged from the bedroom, yawning. “Where’s Lucio?”

“Are you sure we should have come back to Louisiana?” Darlene asked, frowning. “We brought him to his manman’s house.”

Dolly laughed, nodding her head. “Of course. Where else would he be safest?”

Darlene rolled her eyes. “True. But damn. Maybe Reno? I dunno. Is he?—”

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