Page 60 of Dangerous Vows

“Is this your first real Borrelli family day?” she asks in a low tone.

I nod. “I think so.”

She smirks. “Let me guess—you’re wondering how the hell I ended up in this insanity.”

I laugh softly and smile. “Something like that.”

She tilts her head toward Pietro, who is now trying to dodge Lorenzo’s attempts to grab his ear. “You get used to it. And then, one day, you don’t want to be anywhere else.”

I swallow, but have to look away. The idea of that—of wanting to stay is too dangerous to entertain.

Alena walks in from the kitchen with appetizers, and she rolls her eyes at Federico, who’s standing over the bar like he’s conducting a damn symphony. He turns to walk outside to check dinner.

“The lamb is ready when you stop micromanaging it, Federico,” she says sternly, but she can’t pull it off. The camaraderie between them is genuine.

Federico scoffs. “Do you want it perfect, or do you want it fast?”

Matteo grins as he nudges Niccoló. “He’s been saying that for years.”

Pietro walks over to where I’m sitting with Lorenzo in his arms, his tiny hand holding onto his shirt. He drops onto the couch beside me, and the warmth of him immediately seeps into my body. He’ll make a great father one day.

“Looks like I’ve got a new shadow,” he says, nodding at the toddler who is trying to grab his neck.

I smile, reaching out to tickle Lorenzo’s foot. “He’s obsessed with you.” Then he surprises me when he hands him to me.

Lorenzo is an energetic child, and I melt under his bright blue eyes, as drool seeps from his mouth. “He’s teething.”

“Yes, and it’s miserable for him,” Alena interjects from across the room.

Pietro hands Lorenzo to me. “Do those little teethies hurt you?” I don’t know why I’m speaking babyish gibber like an idiot.

Lorenzo warms to me and begins to babble.

“I’m listening,” I reply, speaking to him like he’s an adult. He blows a raspberry and reaches for my nose.

Pietro observes me and says, “You’re good with him.”

I shrug, trying to keep my voice casual. “I like kids.”

“Would you want one?”

I pause, glancing up at him. His expression is unreadable, but there’s something serious beneath the surface.

“Yes, someday,” I say softly.

His fingers brush mine, just barely, but I feel the weight of it—the unspoken words, the possibility of our future unfolding.

And it breaks my heart a little more knowing that I must leave this behind.

Longing, wanting, and desiring a loving family is something that I’ll never know. Just being here is playing with fire. The two of us, our warring families—it’s dangerous.

“We’ll have to make that happen,” he whispers into my ear. “I’m going to get you pregnant.”

My pussy clenches. I’d love to have his baby.

“That’s a dangerous vow you’re making,” I add wistfully.

“I thrive on danger.”

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