Page 138 of Legacy
She groans playfully, rolling her eyes and pointing across the VIP level. “Santo. Obviously.”
I follow her finger and see him instantly—Booth six. Dark suit, phone pressed to his ear, but his eyes…
His eyes are already on us.
I stiffen.
He doesn’t look away, just watches; calculating, unreadable.
I wonder who he’s calling.
No. I knowwho.
I take another sip of my drink, sharper this time.
“Practically had to beg him to let me come,” she says with a little laugh, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. “And then he insisted he come with me. He’s so protective. But sweet, you know?”
I resist the urge to scoff.
Protective.
Sure.
“I’m surprised he hasn’t texted Angelo already,” I mutter, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.
Vasilisa looks at me, concern flickering in her eyes. “Wait, where is Angelo?”
“Home.” I shrug. “Probably busy. Or not. I don’t really care.”
It’s a lie. We both know it.
She studies me quietly for a beat longer than necessary. Her brows knit together, then smooth.
Her eyes land on my bracelet. “That’s beautiful,” she says, almost breathless. “From Angelo?”
I nod with a shrug.
“He’s trying,” she says with a smile.
I laugh; sharp, bitter. “He’stryingto rewrite history. That’s all this is. Just another way for him to own me.Or—”
“—hurt you again?“ she finishes softly.
The breath leaves me.
For a moment, there’s only the hum of the club around us. But in our booth, the air feels heavier. Like truth is sitting with us.
“It was hard being arranged to Santo,” Vasilisa says, almost absently, like she’s remembering something distant. “You feel like you’re the only one in it. Like you’re loving in a vacuum.”
I glance up, surprised.
“But I wasn’t,” she adds, voice warm. “He just didn’t know how to show that he felt it too. Not at first.”
I study her, trying to see the girl underneath the quiet grace.
“You think I should give him a chance?”
“I think if he’s asking for one, and you still feel something... maybe let him prove himself.”
