“Like that would ever happen,” I laugh with her and lean back when a waiter sets a plate of food in front of me. “How’s Sicily?”
“It’s beautiful India. You’ll love it.” A plate lands before her too. But rather than lift her knife and fork, she reaches for her cell phone. “Look… I have pictures of your room after the decorators finished. The view from the terrace is breathtaking.”
My heart starts to race when I glance at the images and swipe, pretending to be as enthused as she is about the palatial setting.
From the bold blue sky and far off sparkling ocean, beyond a grand balcony fit for a princess, it's everything a girl like me could wish for. At least what I would have wished for prior to Blackwater sucking me in. Before him.
“Wow!” I pick up a fork and stab a strip of chicken. “It looks like paradise. The perfect place to raise your babies.”
“André misses Miami,” she tells me, putting her phone away. “He told me he’d be happy wherever I am, but I know he misses it.”
“Or maybe he misses something else.” My lips form a straight line when I smile. “The three of them were inseparable. Miami was their playground. But things change. You can find happiness in other places—in other people.”
“Is that how you feel now?” she lowers her voice and tucks a few strands of hair behind her ears. “About Gio?”
“Well… I can’t explain it, but…” I eye the ruthless men around the table while I think. “Yeah. There’s something about him. He’s not the man André thinks he is.”
“What do you mean?”
I shrug lightly. “I’ve seen his heart, Sinéad, and it's big… and beautiful, and it’s where I belong.”
“Oh.” Her expression tightens. “So, you’re set on going back to his place?”
My blood pumps faster, and suddenly, I’m too warm. Why is she even asking that question?
“Yeah. His pilot is coming back for me later. We have plans this evening.”
André lands in the seat next to her and pours a tall, stemmed flute full of champagne, not caring when the bubbles overflow.
“Let’s make a toast to new beginnings and family.” He hands it to me. “We have something for you.”
He nods to Sinéad, who slips her hand into her purse and takes out a navy velvet box.
“Happy birthday, India!” She sets it beside my plate.
André drums the table as he waits for me to crack open the lid and peer inside. Nestled in satin, sits a golden locket with the letter‘S’in blood red stones and a fine chain. I carefully lift it out and hold it in my palm, taking a breath before opening it.
And there we are, all four of us. Reno, André, Letterman, and me. The photograph was taken about four years ago.
My family.
I blink on repeat to fight back the tears and swallow the growing lump in my throat.
“Here…” Sinéad leans in and takes it from me. “Let me help you put it on.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you.” I whisper, catching his eye. “I love it… so much.”
And I do. I stare into André’s inky gaze, finding his expression solemn. “Just because you’re an adult now doesn’t mean you don’t need us anymore. We’re family. You’re a Souza.” I watch him pull out a shiny gold case from his jeans’ pocket, pop it open, and extract another paper rolled blunt. “And I need a fucking smoke.”
Before standing, he slides his hand behind Sinéad’s head, tugs her face close so their noses squish, and covers her open mouth with his for a quick, dirty tongue fuck.
I swallow and shift in my seat. My eyes lock on their hungry kiss. He adores her. Obsessed even. I hate how my heart hammers against my ribs and heat pools between my thighs.
I’m not thinking of them, rather I’m remembering Giovanni.Us. All the filthy encounters we’ve had—and how I had wanted all of it.
Being in this room with his brothers only highlights it. I can’t escape those powerful emotions. They’ve become stronger in his absence. Deeper.
I miss him.
