Page 97 of Fortress of the Brave

“Never better.”

“I see you’ve brought bribery in the way of food,” she giggles quietly.

“Had to try something,” I muse as I place the bag on the counter.

She passes me my Cosmo and pours Whiskey Sours for the boys.

“This all looks serious,” Angelo says, walking in with Dante. I note an air of suspicion in his tone as he runs a hand through his hair.

“Well, Mia and Dante have some news.” Rayne immediately throws at him.

I give her a wide-eyed look, and she winks. Nothing like getting straight to the nitty-gritty.Thanks, sis.

Dante splutters on his first sip.

“News?” Angelo doesn’t seem too thrilled with that prospect. “I need news as much as I need a hole in the head at the moment.”

“It’s good news,” Rayne adds. “You will want to hear this.”

“You might want to wait until we get in the door, sis,” I say through gritted teeth.

“No time like the present,” Dante adds, looking slightly paler than usual. He respects Angelo.

Angelo looks from his brother to me, to Rayne, and back to Dante again.

“Someone speak, for god's sake. The suspense is killing me.”

“Mia and I have fallen in love,” Dante says, letting out a breath. “We want to be together, and we wanted you to be the first to know.”

Angelo circles the whisky glass with his index finger, glancing at Rayne, then downs it in one swallow. “Really? That’s what you came here to tell me?”

“That’s it.” Dante shrugs, putting an arm around my shoulders, like that action alone says it all.

I take a sip of my Cosmo. “It sort of just happened,” I add.

He glances at me with a raised eyebrow. “And this is news to me?”

We both give him a funny look.

“Wait, what?” Dante looks at Rayne. She holds her hands up.

“Don’t look at me. I kept your secret,” she says.

Angelo walks up to her and smacks her lightly on the ass. “I’ll deal with you later,carina.”

My sister doesn’t look too worried about that prospect.

“So, how did you know?” Dante asks.

“I suspected a while ago. Do you all think I don’t fucking know shit other than what’s going on in the business? Trust me, I know plenty, sometimes before you even know yourselves.”

I laugh into my drink. “It wasn’t like that. We were sorting out our feelings before we made it known.”

“And are they sorted now?” Angelo asks, raising his eyebrow.

“Most definitely.” Dante nods.

“Yes,” I say in agreement.

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