Page 31 of Blood and Redemption

No more surrounded by nothing but trees. I’ll be able to see people again like this, surrounded by the excitement of life.

Beneath the table, I feel a warm palm against my knee. Rocco’s smile has grown softer, like he can see the thoughts spinning around my head.

Or, maybe he’s painting a similar future in his head, too.

No more suffering, no more feeling miserable.

Having seen Rocco at his worst, I’m setting a personal goal to see him at his best.

Tucked at his side, I’ll have the best seat in the house.

14

Rocco

The food we’re served is great and all, but nothing comes close to getting the opportunity to twirl Aurora around in her summer dress.

I know Camellia’s supposed to be the prettiest in the lineup of women here, but my angel is taking that title.

Her smile is so warm, her laugh helps me regain a few years of my life each time she tilts her head back, letting out the sweetest of giggles.

Somehow, I haven’t spun us into a wall from losing focus. Once my eyes are on her, there’s no tearing her away. Even when Ren wants to take a turn.

“Please don’t let him move in with us,” she whispers, her eyes drifting toward him as he impatiently waits.

Even if most of the women here avoid his one-eyed stare, some have asked for a dance or two. I’m hoping one of them will catch his eye and he can stop watching us so carefully.

“He’ll want to visit every day if he doesn’t,” I remind her, grinning at the thought.

Now that he’s not trying to kill me for touching her, I don’t mind his presence too much.

“As long as he doesn’t stay the night, then I’ll live,” she murmurs, her cheeks dusted with a pretty pink.

Oh, whatever she’s thinking about is not an innocent thought, I’m sure of it.

Grinning, I dip down and kiss her. Despite it making her sputter, the second kiss is far smoother than the first.

Like she doesn’t know how to multitask, she stops dancing and slips her hand from mine, moving her fingers to my cheek.

Damn. Just a few kisses are all it takes to make me want to whisk her away from here and see if this estate has any empty rooms we could borrow for a few minutes.

There’s a clearing of a throat next to us, and Aurora sputters at the sight of Camellia. All pretty and pink, she tries to smile.

“I was hoping to borrow Rocco, if that’s alright.” Her smile is gentle as she takes in Aurora. “I may have to borrow you after.”

Looking toward Ren, I give him a knowing nod, and he’s happy to come swoop my fiancée away.

“She’s excited to meet you,” I tell Camellia as I watch the siblings drift away.

Camellia moves to grab my hands, pulling my attention back to her. The music is soft and slow, thank goodness. Putting my attention on her, I can’t think about the movement of my feet.

“You know, Bia has a point. You really do look like Dad.” Her smile remains as I spin her around. “I wish he could’ve been here to see this. He loved big gatherings.”

Feeling a lump grow in my throat, I nod. “He would’ve given a whole speech. One that would have made Santino’s seem short.”

We both chuckle at the thought, but even with the lighthearted surroundings, the weight of the past is still against us.

“Mom—” She starts, her voice wavering. If I have to guess, it’s from my refusal to talk about her in the past. “—Do you think she’d be happy?”

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