I’d finally found my place.
Nora laced her arm through mine as we followed them out of the cabin. Nicco lingered at Matteo’s truck, locking eyes with mine.
“Damn, Ari. Where can I get me one of those?”
“Hush.” I nudged her with my shoulder.
Luis’ SUV appeared down the track, rolling to a stop next to the truck. Luis and Tristan climbed out, stopping to talk to Nicco. My breath caught as I watched my cousin extend his hand to him.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Nora squealed with delight as Nicco took it.
The two of them glanced over at us before Nicco pulled away and climbed into the truck.
Tristan approached us, a faint smirk tugging at his mouth. “Sounds like you have some explaining to do...” His eyes went to the band on my finger.
“We should probably talk, yes.”
“Fuck, talking.” He pulled me into his arms. “You’ve got balls of steel, Ari.”
“I didn’t do anything, not really.”
“Like hell you didn’t. You brokered a deal with Antonio Marchetti and went and got yourself engaged by all accounts.”
“I did what I had to.”
Tristan eased back to look at me. “But you’re happy, right? You want this?”
I nodded, fighting a smile. “I know we’re young and I know a lot of people won’t understand—”
“Screw what anyone else thinks. All I care is that you’re happy and you’re safe.”
“Have you seen the way he looks at her?” Nora scoffed. “Ari’s safety should be the least of your concerns.”
Tristan’s eyes narrowed, a trace of hurt there. Or maybe it was guilt.
“Yeah,” he said, “I’m starting to get that.”
Chapter 27
Nicco
When we arrived back at my father’s house, I half-expected to find my uncles there, ready to toast my news. But the house was quiet when we entered.
“Ah, Nicco.” Genevieve rounded the corner. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
“You know?” My eyes narrowed.
“Don’t sound so surprised, Niccolò,” my father moved beside her, squeezing her shoulder, “Genevieve is practically family.”
I raised a brow at that.
“Sia, can I borrow you, in the kitchen?” she asked my sister, no doubt sensing the tension rippling in the air.
“Sure thing. I’ll see you later.” Alessia kissed my cheek before taking off after Genevieve.
“Niccolò, my office.” My father turned on his heel and took off down the hall.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m in trouble?”
“Nah,” Enzo smirked. “He probably just wants to give you the father/son talk and remind you of the three golden rules.”
“Three golden rules?” Matteo frowned.
“Birth control, birth control, birth control.”
Shaking my head, I flicked my head in the direction of the kitchen. “Go hang out, I’ll be back soon.”
Matteo clapped me on the back. “Everything’s going to work out,” he said.
I wanted to believe him.
Proposing to Arianne, hearing the word yes spill from her lips, then sliding my nonna’s ring onto her finger, had been one of the most terrifying and best moments of my life.
But our struggle wasn’t over yet.
It wouldn’t be until Fascini and his piece of shit son were no longer a threat.
“Come in,” my father demanded. I slipped inside, closing the door behind me. “How is Arianne?”
“She’s fine.”
“A toast.” He moved to his drinks cabinet and pulled out a bottle of his finest scotch, pouring us both a glass. “Here.”
I accepted it.
“I am glad you came to your senses, Niccolò. It is the right move for the Family as well as for your future.”
Taking a seat, I glanced up at him, confusion clouding my eyes.
“This job, it can be a lonely life. I look back and realize how much time I wasted. How much I took for granted. Do not repeat my mistakes, Son. When you first brought her here, and I saw the way you looked at her, I was concerned she would be your weakness. But now I see that she can be your strength. Love gives you something to fight for, something to lose. Arianne will anchor you, Son.
“To family.” He lifted his glass and I mirrored his action.
“To family. What happens now?” I asked.
“Tommy is waiting for my word to make the tip off to our friend down at the local PD. Michele’s guys are handling Fascini’s legal team.”
One of Uncle Michele’s guys, Johnny Morello, was our go-to fixer. With a penchant for extortion and coercion, he rarely failed to secure people’s silence or compliance.
“And Uncle Vin?”
“I have ordered him to sit tight. He doesn’t like it but the last thing we need is him barreling in all guns blazing.”
“He needs to get on board with me and Arianne,” I said, pressing my lips