Page 13 of The Shadow King's Brother

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading home,” she says.

I can’t resist. “Do you want to join us for dinner, Fiona?”

She gives me a look so sharp it could slice through steel. “I trust you’ll manage without me, Mr. De Luca. Goodnight.”

As soon as the door clicks shut behind her, I catch Nica’s eye, and we both lose it. Laughter bursts out, filling the room. I don’t remember the last time I laughed like this. It’s a release, shaking off the tension.

“She’s like a walking, talking AI,” I say, trying to catch my breath. “I half expected her to print out a graph showing our hunger levels.”

Nica wipes a tear from her eye, still giggling. “I swear, she could scare off a whole mob with that look alone.”

“She did,” I say with a wink. “I’m terrified.”

I move to join Nica at the coffee table, my stomach suddenly reminding me that I’ve barely eaten all day. We settle onto the couch, the takeout containers spread before us—a feast of familiar flavors.

“This smells amazing,” I say, picking up a container of pasta.

“It always does,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows playfully. “She knows us too well. Maybe we should keep her around.”

“Were you thinking otherwise?”

“It’s just that—” She looks down.

“What?”

“It’s stupid, but I feel… inadequate around her. Like she looks down on me.”

The corners of my mouth lift. “You? Insecure?”

I can’t believe it.

“Don’t be so surprised, Elio. We didn’t all grow up in fancy mansions with tons of self-esteem.”

“You’re being silly. Besides, you grew up with me, remember?”

She’s quiet, rubbing her Chi-Rho tatoo. I know what that means. She misseshim. Her father.

“Maybe I did—but right now, I don’t feel the slightest hint of confidence. Besides, that was your family. I just came over to play with your fancy toys.”

“Stop it. You were as much a part of the family as Mattheo was—” My eyes flicker to the window.

I miss him.He was like a father to me, too.

“Mmhmm,” she grunts. I know she wants to change the subject, so I let it be.

The food is warming my stomach, and Nica’s eyes are warming my fucking soul. I can’t help but fixate on her mouth as she licks a bit of sauce from her lips.

She’s so fucking beautiful, it’s almost maddening.

“You’ve got a little—” I lean in, swiping the corner of her mouth with my thumb. She flushes, her cheeks turning that soft pink I can’t get enough of.

My hand slides down her cheek, my fingers grazing her neck. She tilts her head slightly, her breath hitching, and I can feel her pulse quicken under my touch.

I brush my lips against hers, a soft, teasing kiss, testing the waters. Her body responds instantly, leaning into me. My hand tightens around her waist, drawing her in closer. I press my lips to her neck, trailing small kisses along her skin.

I love the way she melts into me. The way she reacts to me.

“Elio, the food,” she chuckles, her voice breathy.

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