Page 41 of Tristano

“Fair enough. Continue with your story, strong one.”

My heart is lighter hearing the teasing in her tone. I’m helping her feel better. That’s all I want.

So I go into full dramatics for the next part of my story.

“So they have this overhead light they keep shining in my eyes. They finally yell at me asking if I plan to steal again. Being the dumbass I am, I tell them the truth. That I probably would. When they finally pulled the light back and looked into my eyes, they looked astonished. When the lead man asked me why I would admit to that, I told him I knew no other way. My mother abandoned me when I was five. My nonna passed away when I was eleven. Foster families couldn’t give a fuck about the kid past the paycheck they provide. All I had were my sticky fingers. They asked why I didn’t get a job, and I explained that without identification you can’t have a job and I had none. So instead, they took me to a tailor and got me fitted for a suit. Then they initiated me under one of their capos and told me to keep my nose out of trouble and do everything they said. If I did, they would take care of me.”

“That sounds like you got lucky.”

“Very. Lorenzo is one scary fucker, but he has nothing on Bastiano. I really thought they were going to kill me, so when they dropped me off with Matteo in Queens, I was surprised. I didn’t think I would make it past that day and instead they gave me a future. I would do anything for this family.”

“When did you realize you liked computers?”

“I always did. I would use the library computers to hack people, especially to change my grades. I don’t think the family knew until they were having trouble getting into a phone one day. I jailbroke it, and the rest is history. They assigned me to shadow Greer and made me part of an elite team.”

“You love them,” she whispers.

“Of course I do. They are my family. I know without a doubt that they would have my back.”

“I wish I had that.”

“You do. You have me. I will always have your back.”

She sniffles. “I’m tired of keeping you at arm’s length, Tris. I don’t want that anymore. I don’t want to go back to only talking to you for five minutes once a month. I need more.”

“Shhh. We don’t have to talk about this now. We can figure all of this out,” I vow.

“The only thing I want to figure out is how to make you a more permanent fixture in my life. I’ve never felt safer than I do when I’m in your arms,” she admits.

“Then this is where you will stay. No one will make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

“Promise?”

“I promise,anima gemella.”

She yawns big. “I’m going to hold you to it.”

As she starts to drift off, I whisper against her head, “I hope you do.”

ChapterNine

Ican honestly say that waking up in Tristano’s arms is the best thing to ever happen to me. That’s not just the trauma talking either.

There’s nothing quite like having the scent that calms you surrounding you along with the heat from the male cuddled next to you. Add in the sound of his rhythmic heartbeat under my ear, and I never want to leave.

I want to live here forever.

“I heard your breathing change. I know you’re awake,anima gemella.”

My heart skips a beat at hearing him call me that again. I never thought it would happen. Taking a deep breath, I get myself together. He runs his hands through my hair, letting me have my moment.

“Are we going home today?” I finally ask.

“Tomorrow. I was hoping you would go with Miya to talk to the girls again. They put them all up here in rooms, but now we need to help them transition back into their day-to-day life. Miya believes having you there will help.”

“Of course,” I agree without hesitation.

“While you do that, will you be okay if I step out with Declan and Kenji? Miya will be with you the entire time, and she has her own guards watching her. They will watch you as well.”

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