Page 166 of Let It Snow
Luca glances at us in the rearview mirror.
"No. Personal vendettas have only ever hurt my family. It’s time for people like Ennio, with a more businesslike, rational mindset, to take control. The times demand it."
Moon sighs. "Well, lately the Ferro family has learned a few brutal lessons. Both Anzo and Rocco paid the price. Looks like vengeance is a luxury reserved for gods, not mortals."
His words hang in the silence that follows.
Snow and I exchange a look. As ‘demigods’, we could say something about that. But sometimes silence says more than words.
???
Evening is falling, a fine drizzle coming down from the sky as we turn into the side street leading to the Nolans’ estate.
I feel exhausted and disoriented; it’s hard to focus. The only thing keeping me conscious is Snow’s hand holding mine. I stay pressed against his side the whole way, my head buzzing like a beehive.
We pull up in front of the Nolans’ house just as Bay drives into the driveway.
There’s a brief moment of confusion about what to do next, but I jump out of the car and rush toward Bay, who’s carrying Lake.
"Should we call a doctor?" I whisper, brushing the pale cheek of the omega. "He’s been unconscious for over a day!"
"Let’s take him to Aiden," Bay mutters, and Snow nods.
When we carry Lake into the bedroom where Aiden is still lying unconscious, none of us say a word.
As we stand over the bed, a wave of weakness and overwhelm washes over me. I just stare at Snow’s parents lying still, my gaze blank. The aftershock is running through me.
Moon, who came with us as well, steps up.
"What are we waiting for? We should undress them. Their bodies will instinctively seek the Joining, and that’ll start their regeneration."
Well, that came out pretty awkwardly.
Bay just rolls his eyes, clearly thinking the idea of undressing their parents is a bit too much, but eventually mutters grimly,
"Yeah, we should do it, they’re True Mates, so that’s the point. But I’m out!" Then he walks out of the room, leaving us with the delicate situation.
I glance at Snow, unsure what to do. He looks hesitant too.
Finally, he sighs and looks at Moon.
"You’re right," he says quietly. "But it’s better if I undress my father and you undress my dad."
He bites his lip as he speaks, and it strikes me that it’s the first time I’ve ever seen Snow stripped of his usual confidence, that relaxed, or maybe slightly aloof, aura of his.
"Alright," I say, understanding his hesitation. I wouldn’t want to undress my parents either, but seeing the state they’re in, I know it has to be done if they’re going to recover.
After nearly thirty hours of unconsciousness, dehydration is becoming a real risk. Some kind of intervention is needed, and using TM magic seems like the logical choice.
Snow goes first, carefully undressing Aiden and laying him on his side, covering his hips with a blanket. Moon and I do our best not to stare, though a few curious glances escape me. It’s astonishing that this man, though actually seventy-five, looks no older than forty, and his body remains so impressively built, with massive muscles and not a trace of a dad bod. The TM magic is a powerful thing indeed.
When Snow leaves the room, Moon and I start undressing Lake, working together in silence.
And again—I can’t help but notice that the omega also looks incredible for sixty-two. The rejuvenating magic has frozen hisaging somewhere in his mid-thirties. His skin is smooth, his body fit, with balanced, graceful lines. Wow, just wow.
Still, I feel a little awkward seeing him naked and slightly embarrassed to realize he’s probably better endowed than I am.
Moon doesn’t say a word. Together, we lift Lake and place him on his side next to Aiden. The moment their bodies touch, a faint shiver runs through both of them, as if they’ve caught their Allure scent.
