The Accardi Twins: A Mafia Romance Duet

Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

Elisa

“ O kay. That’s it.” Gia pulls over onto the shoulder and kills the engine. The leather squelches as she turns to face me. “I know something happened. ’Fess up, right now, Lise.”

A resigned sigh flees my lips as I swivel in my seat to face my best friend. We’re only twenty minutes into our journey to Greenwich, and honestly, I’m surprised she lasted this long before cornering me. “I was going to tell you when we got to my house. I didn’t want to explain while you were driving as you’re liable to drive us into a ditch.”

“What did that asshole do? I know this has to do with him.”

I fill her in as succinctly as I can, giving her the CliffsNotes version.

“He hit you?” Alarm mixes with fury on her face.

“Yeah, but he won’t be doing it again.”

“You should have stabbed him.” Her eyes flash maniacally, reminding me there’s a whole side to my bestie I don’t really know.

“He’s not worth doing time over.”

“Puh-lease,” she scoffs, rolling her eyes. “You know we’d make his body disappear, and no one would ever point a finger at you.”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of and why you can’t tell anyone, Gigi. Especially not Joshua.”

Her eyes pop wide in shock. “You can’t be serious, Elisa! You need to at least tell Caleb what’s happened.”

“Are you kidding? He’d kill him!”

“I don’t see the issue.” She shrugs like casually discussing murder is no biggie.

“Sebastien is an asshole, but that doesn’t mean he deserves to die. It’s over between us, and he won’t get the opportunity to get to me again. I’d rather just draw a line under the whole thing and forget I ever dated him.”

“I think that’s the wrong call, babe.” She appeals to me with pleading eyes.

“I made a mistake with him, but it’s done now. It’s in the past. I don’t want to make this into a big drama with everyone involved and freaking out. Just let it go.”

Her features soften. “Does it hurt?” Her eyes drift to my cheek.

I shake my head. “It’s not sore anymore, just a little bruised.”

“Now the makeup makes sense.”

“You can’t see it, can you?” I ask, briefly touching my skin.

She shakes her head. “No, you camouflaged it well.”

“Then that’s that. Let’s go home.”

She starts up the engine before turning to look at me. “Just promise me if anything else happens you’ll tell me and you’ll tell your father or Caleb.”

“I promise I will.” I’m not stupid, and it’s an easy promise to make. If my ex refuses to accept we’re broken up, I won’t put up with any crap from him. I have enough on my plate with my approaching finals, and he’s not going to add to my stress.

“Okay.” She leans over and hugs me. “I’m glad he’s out of your life.”

“Me too.”

She puts the car into gear and glides back out onto the road. “What are you going to do about Caleb?” she asks a few beats later.

I lean back in my seat and nibble on my lip for a second. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll just wait and see.”

“Is this seat taken?” Caleb asks, looking down at me with a familiar charming grin. Easter dinner is at Ben and Sierra’s this year, and everyone is here now. I’ve had a nice chill couple of days at home, but I knew all that would change today. The twins only arrived late last night from the city along with Ben, Leo, and Alesso, who returned from the big meeting in Ireland. Sierra already laid down the law, insisting there is no mafioso talk today. Today is for family, and business can wait. The long table is rapidly filling as our families claim seats while our moms ferry heaped plates of meat and vegetables to the table.

“It is now.” I smile softly at him. We always sat beside one another at family events, except for the last few occasions when I was mad at him and keeping my distance.

Caleb slides effortlessly into the seat beside me, flashing a signature grin. Around us, the rest of our families are getting settled, talking, laughing, and catching up. Rowan pretends not to look from his position on the other side of me as Caleb leans his mouth in close to my ear. “Word on the street is you’re single again.” His eyes come alive as his gaze devours my face. His lips brush against my earlobe, sending delicious tremors skating over every part of me. “But not for long if I have my way.”

“Caleb.” I pin him with a “behave” look.

“What?” He shrugs, smiling like he just won the lottery. “Don’t act like this is a surprise.” He leans in close again, lowering his voice so only I can hear. “You’re mine, Lili. Always have been, always will be. Concede defeat because I’m not backing down.”

I shove at his chest. “I only just broke up with my boyfriend,” I whisper.

“So?” He plays with my hair. “I don’t see the problem. There is nothing standing in our way now.” His fingers leave my hair and move to my chin, gently tipping my face back. “God, you’re so fucking beautiful, Lili, especially when you’re stubbornly proud. I?—”

He stops speaking the same second I realize the room has gone deathly silent. Caleb releases my chin, and we turn to face the table. Every set of eyes is watching us, and my cheeks instantly heat. I squirm on my chair, hugely uncomfortable with all the attention.

Mom and Natalia are beaming like all their wishes just came true. Sierra and Frankie are smiling. Gia is trying—and failing—to give me a subtle thumbs-up. Rowan’s ear-splitting grin is all up in my face. Joshua’s stare is pensive, and he’s not giving much away. I’m afraid to look at my brother because he’s already made his feelings clear about Caleb. The younger kids wear expressions ranging from confused to amused to bored. Uncle Ben is studying us with a serious expression. Leo’s gaze is inquisitive, and my dad. Oh boy. Dad is staring at Caleb like he’s imagining ten different ways to murder him.

Caleb grins wickedly as his arm slides around the back of my chair. “I have an announcement to make,” he says, sounding as cool, calm, and collected as he looks. “I’m in love with Lili, and she’s in love with me.”

“Caleb!” I hiss, glaring at him.

“Are you denying it?” His eyes twinkle with mirth, knowing I won’t lie in front of my family.

I bury my face in my hands, mumbling, “I can’t believe you just did that.”

“Everyone, eat,” Sierra says, taking pity on me, I’m sure.

“This is wonderful news,” Mom says, and I lift my head. “Isn’t it, darling?” she adds, fixing my stepfather with a look Voldemort would be proud of.

Alesso clears his throat and pins me with a look full of potent emotion. “I think Elisa and Caleb clearly have things to discuss in private, and we should all respect that.” The ire has faded from his face replaced with some indecipherable emotion I can’t place.

His words help, and everyone goes back to their own conversations, and some of the stress eases from my shoulders. “I am feeling very stabby right now.” Gripping my knife and fork, I look at Caleb. “I suggest you don’t test me any further.”

“Everyone knows now. What other objections do you have so I can quash those too?”

Beside me, Rowan chuckles. “I’ll say this for you, cuz, once you put your mind to something, you go all in.”

“There is no point in doing anything half-assed in this life, Rowan,” Caleb says, setting some meat down on my plate before adding a few slices to his own. “When I see something I want”—his eyes bore into mine—“I go for it with zero regrets, and I hold nothing back.” He tweaks my nose. “I have never wanted anything or anyone as much as I want Lili.”

“Stop, please,” I whisper as warmth crawls up my neck and onto my cheeks. “Everyone gets it now.”

“Do you?” He quirks a brow.

“I’m not discussing this at the dinner table any longer. We’ll talk later.”

“It’s later,” Caleb says, poking his head into the living room where I’m currently fending questions from Mom, Nat, Frankie, and Sierra. Gia is sitting on the couch on my other side, but she’s of no help. She’s as giddy as the rest of them.

“Sweetheart.” Nat rushes to her son’s side and drags him into the room. Gia giggles, and I glare at my bestie. “You need to tell us everything because Elisa is giving us nothing.”

“Because there’s nothing to tell!” I protest, grinding my teeth to the molars.

Caleb walks over and pulls me from the couch, bundling me into his arms. “There isn’t much to tell yet because I’m trying to convince Lili I’m serious. She doesn’t quite believe it, but I’m on a mission to prove to her that she’s the only woman for me.”

A chorus of aws ring out around the room, and I’m officially done. “Get me out of here,” I whisper, looking up at him.

“Gladly.” He presses a lingering kiss to the top of my head as I gently lay my head on his chest and give in to the comforting feel of his warm body and strong arms cocooning me. “Excuse us, ladies, I have some wooing to do,” Caleb says, steering us toward the door with his arm firmly around me.

“Barf,” Gia says, but she’s grinning. “That was cheese on top of cheese, Accardi.”

“Bite me, Bianchi.”

“Soon-to-be Accardi,” she purrs sweetly, flashing her ring.

“Don’t remind me,” Caleb says, but we all know he’s joking. Those two are close now in a way no one could’ve predicted.

“Wrap it before you tap it!” Gia calls out as we walk out the door, and I am going to string her up later for this.

“Oh my god.” I bury my face in Caleb’s chest. “I am going to die of embarrassment before this day is out!”

Caleb chuckles. “They’re happy for us.”

I lift my head and peer deep into his eyes. “There is no us , Caleb. Just because I’ve broken up with Seb doesn’t mean I’m instantly going to fall into your arms.”

“I know, Lili, but I’m confident in my wooing skills.” He waggles his brows, and it’s so hard to stay mad at him. “Let’s walk and talk,” he says, taking my hand. His large, callused palm is strong and warm in mine as he leads me toward the coat closet, and I already know resisting is futile.

“I know it’s warm, but showers are predicted,” he says, taking my light jacket off a hook and helping me into it. His fingers brush against my body as he pulls the zipper up, and I’m like an inferno, my body doused in heat from my head to my toes. His eyes never leave mine as he puts his black jacket on, and the intensity of his attention is melting the last of my reservations.

The truth is, as embarrassed as I was by his outburst at the table, I can’t deny there’s a part of me swooning at this newer romantic side to Caleb. I’d challenge anyone to deny he’s sincere. For the first time ever, the prospect of loving him and being loved by him in return is a very real possibility. It is something I have prayed and hoped for, for years, and though it’s scary, because he could completely decimate my heart this time if he decides to change his mind, I know I owe it to myself to at least hear him out.