Page 164 of The Mafia's Broken Vows

“Your point?” Cade finally asks, his tone neutral but his body language more engaged than I’ve seen it since he arrived.

I glance pointedly at the teddy bears in his hand, the sight of the custom-made soft toys in his big tattooed hands striking me anew. “You hate Nico Vitelli. And yet,” I nod toward where he is standing with the rest of the men by the lake, “there he is living and breathing free air, not even close to seeing the inside of a prison cell. And here you are, with two well-thought-out presents for his kids.”

The corner of his mouth quirks up and he tilts his head, regarding me with newfound interest. “Missing your old job, Valentina?”

I don’t even bother asking how he knows my real name. The man probably knows what I had for breakfast three Tuesdays ago. Instead, I meet his gaze squarely, a smirk playing on my lips. “Nah. I’ve just gotten better at profiling criminals.”

And then, the impossible happens. Cade throws his head back and laughs—a real, genuine laugh that sounds like it’s being torn from his very soul. The sound is startling in its richness and depth, completely at odds with his earlier demeanor. It’s like watching a statue come to life.

Sophie returns with the twins, her eyes wide with shock as she takes in the scene. Dante also materializes beside me, tension rolling off him. I can practically see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to make sense of what he’s witnessing.

Cade, still chuckling, drops the teddies and scoops up the twins, who are already squealing, their chubby limbs kicking in excitement.

As Cade lets the twins pull on his necklace and hair and everything else they can reach, Dante leans in to whisper, his breath warm against my ear, “What the fuck just happened?”

I shrug, still a bit shell-shocked myself. “No clue. We were just talking.” But even as I whisper it, I realize it’s not entirely true.

Dante turns to Cade with a smile that looks more like a baring of fangs. “Quinn. Didn’t think you’d show.”

“Chicago’s finest all in one place? Couldn’t resist.” The sarcasm in his voice is thick enough to cut with a knife, but I sense there’s no real venom behind it. Or maybe that’s just my naïve desire to have everyone get along.

As Cade abruptly turns away, presumably to play with the twins in peace, he tosses a “thanks” to Dante. The casual way he says it like he’s thanking Dante for passing the salt, catches my attention.

Dante’s eyebrows furrow, voicing the confusion we’re all feeling. “For what?”

Without turning, he says, “The Shadow gang was never on my radar. But they proved very useful in the end.”

And with that cryptic bombshell, he heads for the kids section. As I watch him walk away, I know he’s a man who operates outside the norms of society, dangerous and unpredictable, yet capable of incredible acts of heroism. Like all the other men in my life.

I turn to Dante, “Well,” I say, a grin spreading across my face, “that was interesting.”

“Fucking weirdo,” Dante mutters.

I clear my throat pointedly, and Dante has the grace to look sorry, and then he pulls Sophie into an apologetic hug.

“Bella,” he huffs, “you know your brother.”

“I know you too,” Sophie replies, then she turns to me. “By the way, what did you say that got Cade laughing?”

I admit, “I think it was because I called him a criminal.”

“I can see why Cade would love that.” Sophie chuckles, shaking her head. “You do know he’s an FBI agent, right?”

I shrug, and Sophie’s laughter grows. “Yeah.” I also know he’s a criminal.

Dante pulls me close, his breath hot against my ear. “You disarming our arch-enemy in two minutes flat. Do you have any idea how sexy that is?”

I laugh, trying to play it cool despite the fire igniting in my core. “I was just playing host.”

“And you’re just my wife,” Dante deadpans, his hands roaming possessively over my hips. “Maybe we should sic you on him permanently. To manage all negotiations relating to Cade Quinn and the FBI, since he and Nico can’t string a single civil sentence between themselves.”

“Why does he hate Nico so much anyway?”

Dante looks at me like it should be obvious. “Nico is Cade’s worst nightmare, and he married his baby sister here. I don’t think that ever gets forgiven.”

We all share a laugh, but I can’t help adding, “Actually, I think what he can’t admit is how much he likes us.”

Dante grunts, clearly uninterested in discussing Cade further. His hands tighten on my waist. “Can you come to your old room? I need to show you something real quick.”

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