Page 117 of Revenge & Ruin

I smile back.

“Every day for the rest of my measly existence.”

EPILOGUE

Isabella

Irina giggles as Cas blows against her cheek. She’s always loved her godmother more than anyone else.

A fact that has become increasingly helpful as Teo and I attempt some semblance of normalcy in our lives again.

“There’s some extra milk in the fridge if you need it,” I repeat needlessly. “It will need warming up, but…”

“I know, Issy.” Cas blows again, causing another peel of laughter. “You really don’t need to worry.”

I don’t think I’ll ever stop worrying, but I don’t say that. “Thank you for this. I know it’s short notice.”

She brushes me off. “Don’t be ridiculous. Cory and I were going to have a quiet night in any way.”

The baby in question is currently crawling around our living room, curiously exploring the open space. Occasionally, I make out the mop of dark hair charging around corners at alarming speeds.

I approach Cas and lay a hand over Irina’s forehead. She only has a fine layer of blonde hair, although Teo is still confident it will turn as dark as his in the coming months.

“Her temperature is down from yesterday,” I withdraw my hand.

“It’s normal for these things to fluctuate a bit,” Cas reassures me as she brings Irina to her shoulder. “Another good sleep, and she’ll be right as rain again, I’m sure.”

I bite my bottom lip. “Maybe I should just cancel.”

Cassandra Moretti might be an actual saint. In the time we’ve known each other, the woman has gone out of her way to befriend and support me. At first, I thought it might be because I helped her give birth. But after all this time, I think she might just bethatnice.

But then, sometimes, she gives me a look that reminds me that she’s married to an ex-don.

“You absolutely will not.”

“Cas…”

“You’ve barely been out of this house since Irina was born. You need to take some time for yourself.”

I roll my eyes at her. “I do take time for myself.”

“Working does not count!” Cas snaps. She’d been horrified when I’d admitted I had no intention of taking maternity after Irina was born.

But my office ishere.Teo has more tech here than most large-scale corporations, and it is right at my fingertips. It’s all just odd jobs, anyway—things I can easily complete while Irina sleeps or Teo allows himself an afternoon off.

Besides, I like the work. Plus, the more I do, the less that will be on Teo’s plate, which means I actually have time to see him.

Neither of us truly expected how difficult an alliance between the Prince’s Hand and the Guild would be. The stress on Teo, especially these last couple of days, has been, well…

“Teo needs a night off too, remember? Don’t bail on him now,” Cas says firmly.

There’s no real room to protest that. So I sigh in resignation. “All right. But you’ll call me if anything goes wrong?”

I lean in, and we kiss on either cheek before I press a final kiss to Irina’s forehead.

“Nothing will go wrong,” Cas reassures me before an odd expression flashes across her face. I don’t have a chance to think about it before she’s ushering me out the front door. “Just have a good night, okay?”

“If you and Rocco ever need a babysitter?—”

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