Page 107 of The San Marco Heist

I swayed against him, encouraging him to follow the gentle rhythm playing through the square. “One more song. I like this one.”

He pulled back and took me into a more classic dancing pose so I could admire the length of him. He was now mine and I was his. Maybe it would only last our time in Venice together, but the feeling inside of me said it was going to be a lot longer than that. We understood each other. From our messed-up childhoods to our dramatically different adulthoods, we’d come out so similar.

I hadn’t been looking for anyone to replace Noah, but what I found was someone far better suited for me. Someone who’d have my back, and who risked his life when my brother was in trouble.

Malcolm’s brows drew together and his smile softened. What was he thinking about?

I tilted my head. “What?”

He pulled me close again, shaking his head slowly. “You’d be awfully easy to fall in love with, you know?”

That was unexpected. But from the way my heart did a little somersault, not at all unwelcome.

His gaze flew around the square. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud. “Theoretically speaking, of course.”

“Of course.” Therewasmore between us than this little adventure, and I couldn’t wait to explore every moment with him. “I think you’d be pretty easy to fall in love with, too.”

I was halfway there already.

He leaned in and kissed me again, wrapping me in his arms, abandoning any pretense of dancing. The crowds around us, the music from the dueling bands lining the square, and the hectic pace of the last week and a half faded away.

My pack had grown by one. And I couldn’t have been happier.

Chapter 44

Declan

“Howthehelldidthat happen?” Emmett snatched my second beer—the one I’d secretly ordered for him—frowning at Scar and Mal. “I told her to trust him, but figured she was more likely to take his head off.”

I glanced at the happy new couple, dancing slowly to the live band. “As I hear it, she pulled a gun the first time he showed up at her place.”

Emmett spluttered, covering his mouth to hold his beer in. “That sounds more like my sister.”

“I just hope it lasts. She deserves some happiness, especially knowing what that asshole did to her.”

“If he comes anywhere near her ever again, I swear, I’ll—” Emmett winced and shifted in his chair. He should have still been in the hospital, as far as I was concerned, but that wasn’t up to me.

“We all will, Em.”

After the beating he’d had taken at the hands of Noah and his merry men, Emmett might make it to third in line—right behind Scar and Rav. Although, from the looks of her and ole Blue Eyes, Em might have to wait for fourth place.

I stretched my legs out and leaned back. A warm evening, good music, a crisp and citrusy Nastro Azzurro, and my best friends. Life would only be better if I had a puzzle to fiddle with and a beautiful woman by my side.

Therewereseveral of the latter around, but most were tourists with other men or children.

“He was going to be my brother-in-law.” Emmett pressed the beer bottle to a bruise on his cheek.

“I know.” My phone buzzed from the table, and I flipped it over to check who was calling. I picked it up and sat forward. “Edoardo! Long time!”

“Declan, good to hear your voice again. How have things been?”

I hadn’t heard his thick Italian accent in at least six months. Suspicious timing. “Don’t bother trying to play friendly with me. You never call unless you need something.”

My friend chuckled. “Guilty. I heard a rumor you were on the continent.”

“Up in Venice. Only here a couple more days.”

“Any chance I could convince you to come to Roma for a visit?”

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