Page 58 of Hooked

“I mean it.” I continue to play with his hair. “But I swear to god, Vinny, if you ever pull shit like you did yesterday, I’ll let Kieran snap your neck and we’ll feed you to Taco piece by piece.”

“God, he’d love that,” Vinny says, a slight look of horror crossing his face. “Taco’s definitely part piranha.”

“Good. Then we understand each other.” My tears have dried up, and I feel stronger and more confident than I have in years. Maybe ever.

“We do.” Vinny leans into my touch.

“Thank you for the birthday gift. I love it.”

“I love you,” he says, again. “And you’re incredibly talented, Sia. Your aunt would be proud.”

“Her family thought she had the worst taste in men,” I say, teasing him. “But Murphy cherished her. He was an amazing husband, much to their surprise.”

“He knew he had an angel, and so do I. Seraphina.”

My cheeks flush. Maybe I will feed him to Taco after all.

20

Vinny

New Year’s Eve at the Dockside. I’m in hell. One of the owners of the fine establishment had gone to Sia’s Christmas party and had asked her to help him make his New Year’s bash a little more special.

I don’t know if it gets any more special than last year’s event, which I heard offered a communal paper plate with saltines, spray cheese, and pepperonis for the low, low cover charge of twenty-five dollars.

But if anyone can top that, it’s Sia. She’d been delighted at the ask, and once her cousins had left, she’d zipped around town with Kristi again, happily putting an event together out of almost nothing. Her resourcefulness is one of the many things I love about her.

I still can’t believe she’s given me another chance, but I’m sure as hell not going to blow it. Kieran and I have an uneasy truce. He’s waiting to see if I screw up.

I don’t blame him. She deserves that protection, that care.

Facing her family on Christmas had been genuinely terrifying, but not as terrifying as the thought of losing her.

Which is why I’m in the Dockside right now. She’d told me that she’d be so busy event managing that she wouldn’t be able to spend much time with me. She knows I’m not big on giant social events, so I should feel free to skip this if I wanted.

No way I’m not kissing her at midnight.

Plus, even if she doesn’t have time for me, I can keep an eye on her. Or rather, on any asshole drunks. People have been giving me a wide berth because of my Kieran-related injuries. A few ask what happened, and I just shrug and take a swig of beer.

Sven and Kristi are here. Together. They both look head over heels for each other. When they need a break from dancing, they come over and chat with me. They hadn’t asked about my face, so I’m guessing Sia gave Kristi the CliffsNotes version.

Their friendship is fun to watch. I think we’re going to go on a double date at some point.

Brave new world.

It’s getting close to midnight. I spot Sia having a frenzied conversation with the DJ while gesturing at the disco ball. I can’t see much more than that because of the dim lighting.

Given how my feet have been sticking to the floor, that darkness seems to be serving an important function.

Also to prevent me from making accidental eye contact with the people next to me who are dry humping.

Sia finishes her conversation with the DJ and dashes over to where I’m sitting. She’s stunning. She takes my breath away every time I see her, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. Her hair is braided into a crown on her head, and she’s wearing a black strappy little dress that hugs her incredible breasts and flairs out at the waist. She’s wearing those black shoes with the red soles, and it’s been very challenging to hold to my “no erections in the Dockside” rule. She throws her arms around my neck, draping herself over me.

Her ability to show that kind of open affection, even after everything she’s been through, is inspiring.

“Hi,” she says. “It’s almost over.”

“C’mere.” I slip my arms around her waist. “You must be tired.”

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