“He’ll get through it. You, Nico, Stella, all of us. We won’t let him drown.”
“I know, I just wish there was more I could do.”
“Just be there. He’ll find his way again.”
“He doesn’t want us there tomorrow.”
“I didn’t mean literally. Let him do what he needs to do, but always be there for him to fall back on afterward.”
“Fuck. You’re amazing.”
“I spoke to Archer,” she blurts.
A smile twitches at my lips, loving that she feels she needs to confess.
“You’re allowed friends. A life outside of me, no matter how much it might pain me to admit it.”
Her eyes narrow in suspicion. “You already knew because you watched me make the call.”
I shake my head. “No, I know because he was with me when you did it.”
Her chin drops in shock. “But you said you were with your dad.”
“I was, and Archer and Cruz too.” Cupping her jaw, I brush my thumb along her bottom lip. “That fresh start you wanted is happening, babe. From here on out, everything is going to be different.”
“What about the Italians?” she asks.
“Fuck them, we’re better than them. And with the Reapers and Wolves having our backs, they don’t stand a fucking chance.” Lowering my lips to hers, I breathe. “Bring it on. Bring it all the fuck on.”
“There’s something really wrong with you.” Although, despite her words, a wide smile spreads across her face.
“Yeah, but you love me for it.”
“I do.” Her eyes soften, and it makes my chest ache in the most incredible way. “I love you, Theo Cirillo.”
“I love you too, Emmie Cirillo. You’re mine, for better or worse, richer or poorer.”
“I’m pretty sure I can get on board with that.” She throws her arms around my shoulders and presses her lips to mine. “But right now,” she says into our kiss, “I want to see you at your worst, boss.”
Spinning her around, I walk us to a dark corner of the club and push her up against the wall.
“You can scream as loud as you like in here, Hellcat.”
“My hero.”
My laughter is swallowed by her kiss as I set about proving to her how I’m anything but.
Toby
My blood burns me from the inside out as I stand in the shadows, just watching.
My heart pounds and my hands tremble as I stay frozen, watching people all dressed in black walking into a church as if the person they’re going to say goodbye to is actually worthy of ever being inside a fucking place of worship.
But maybe they do think he’s a good man. Maybe they believe all the lies, they don’t see the manipulation.
I guess we didn’t understand the depth of it, so why should they?
Who even is this man they’re all mourning? What lies has he spun them over the years? What do they think he does for a job that has allowed him enough time to ruin mine and Mum’s lives while living a secret one on this side of town?