Chapter 62
DIANGELO
Present
In a matter of weeks, my life has become unrecognizable. I went from isolating myself, even from those closest to me, to being a central component of a tightly knit family. The thing that surprises me the most is how oddly familiar it feels.
I think that’s because this is the life I had envisioned for myself when I was younger.
Back when Elio was alive.
Family gatherings and gossip, group text threads and inside jokes—elements of a close community that can only exist when connection is a priority. I’ve spent years denying myself that life, refusing to exist in a world I should have shared with my brother, but it’s time to let that go.
It’s time to move on from the past.
I’ve surprised myself at how easily I’ve shed my old skin.
The overhaul has been so dramatic that my two circles have merged into one.
Mom’s surgery was a huge catalyst. Zuzu and Rina coordinated to make sure my parents didn’t have to cook a single meal in three weeks.
Mom is doing so well that my parents are joining us for family dinner tonight at Zuzu’s house, along with Renzo, Shae, Liora, Tommy, and Danika.
Zuzu is making her famous caponata, and while everyone talks over one another, we have the Sunday evening football game on in the background.
I’ve been looking forward to it all week.
So has Terina. My firefly has been glowing brighter than ever, and that is the best part of all. She deserves all the happiness in the world. Even if that means Bonny in a bumble bee costume for Halloween. Her nails are even painted yellow.
“We should have gotten them matching costumes,” Rina squeals to Shae while holding Liora, who is decked out in a tiger onesie.
Shae’s eyes widen. “They could be Daenerys and her dragon.”
“Or hear me out,” Rina says with a grin. “They could be something adorable like Winnie the Pooh and Piglet.”
Shae scrunches her nose. “I’m pretty sure Liora is more dragon queen than little pig.”
Rina studies Shae for a second before responding. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Piglet’s a bit timid for your warrior princess. Isn’t that right?” She coos the last part to Liora, who gives her an adoring smile.
Zuzu comes up behind Rina and also grins down at the baby. “She is a princess, isn’t she? I can’t wait to see her in a fancy dress for the wedding.” She turns her focus to Shae, wiping her hands on her apron. “Have you gone shopping for it yet? It’s only two weeks away.”
While the two talk, my eyes are fixed on Terina, who visibly deflates.
She’s been horribly worried about her best friend.
Isa has insisted on going through with the arranged marriage.
The Luccianos have designated a groom, and all the plans have been made.
In two weeks, Isa Costa will marry Mazzi Antonelli.
I’m not thrilled about it, either, but she’s a grown woman. If this is what she wants, that’s her choice.
“I can go grab it real quick.” Rina’s words filter through my thoughts as she hands the baby back to Shae.
“What are you grabbing?” I ask, realizing I’ve missed something.
“Mom didn’t get the mail today, so I’m going to run out there and get it.”
I’m immediately on my feet. “I’ll go with you.” As if I’d let her go out alone. We’re deep enough into fall that it’s been dark for an hour. Her mother’s house isn’t in a bad area, but that doesn’t mean shit can’t happen.
She smiles and leads the way.
This same scenario would have played out drastically different had it taken place months ago. I’m reminded of our heated exchange outside this same house on the first night I was assigned to protect her.
Satisfaction thrums in my chest when I think of how she responded to me right from the beginning. The memory elicits another emotion, as well.
Desire.
As soon as we’re outside, I bend and fold Terina over my shoulder.
She gasps and giggles. “You’re going the wrong way.”
“We’ll get the mail after.”
“After what?”
“After I fuck you against the house.” I give her ass a smack and head to the corner directly below the security camera, where I know we can’t be seen.
“Oh,” she says in a suddenly husky tone.
Yeah. Oh.
Once we’ve rounded the corner and are tucked away behind some shrubs, I put her down and spin her away from me.
“Pants to your ankles, hands against the wall,” I growl at her.
If anyone overheard me, they’d be certain this was an attack, but Rina knows better.
This is a fantasy I know we’ve shared since that very first night.
As expected, not only does she comply, but she does so in record time. “Someone could come looking for us,” she says, but it’s not a warning. Her words are laced with excitement.
I wrap my fist in her hair and tilt her head back a fraction to get close to her ear. “Then I suggest you squeeze my cock as hard as you can and try to be quiet.”
“Yes, D.” The need in her voice makes my knees weak.
Jesus, she’s incredible.
I shift her hips out toward me and grip her hips, sinking inside her in three assertive strokes.
We both hiss in pleasure.
“You really did want this, didn’t you, firefly? You’re so goddamn wet, you’re dripping.”
“Only for you, D.”
I fuck her mercilessly against the wall.
The crisp night air and shadowy darkness amplifies the threat of exposure.
It’s a heady aphrodisiac. The two of us are on the edge of release in no time.
I clamp my hand over her mouth. She screams against my skin, pulling the trigger on my orgasm.
My balls practically crawl back inside my body I come so damn hard.
Our heavy breaths are visible puffs of steamy air as we recover.
I slide my hands up her hips and find her breasts, giving them a squeeze when I pull her body back against my chest. “You are the best goddamn thing to ever happen to me, you know that?”
“Yeah,” she says lazily, making me chuckle.
We collect ourselves, clean up the best we can, then get the mail.
Back inside, the chaos has kept anyone from noticing our prolonged absence.
Dinner is delicious. Conversation flows easily, and laughter is abundant.
We’re in the middle of a great evening when Terina announces she and I have somewhere to be.
“I hate to eat and run. We’ll be on dishes duty next time, promise.”
I stand with her and nod like I know what’s happening. I don’t want to call her out if this is her way of taking a breather from the family. We say our goodbyes and let Bonny take a quick potty stop in the yard before heading to the car.
“Everything okay?” I ask once we’re outside.
“Yup.” She grins smugly. “I have a surprise for you.”
Well, well. I’m intrigued.
She tells me where to go, refusing to put the address into the GPS so it doesn’t ruin the surprise. I can’t imagine where on earth we’d be going at this time of night. Not that it’s all that late, but we’re not exactly partiers when it comes to nightlife.
My curiosity intensifies when we pull up to a tattoo parlor.
“What kind of trouble are you up to, little firefly?”
Her answering grin is positively wicked.
I love it.
When I open the door for her, she first checks to make sure Bonny is allowed in, then tells the girl at the front desk her name and that she has a piercing appointment.
“Fuck me, Rina. Are you serious?” I ask her quietly.
She nods. “Told you I would. It means they’ll be off-limits for a while, but I figured you’d be okay with that.”
My lips are on hers so damn fast, our teeth collide.
“God, I love you,” I breathe with my forehead resting against hers.
“Love you, too, D.”
Finally, we turn back to the girl at the desk, who is now grinning ear-to-ear.
“Ready?”
“I think so!” Terina says with a twinge of nerves.
“What are the chances you guys have time for ink while we’re here?” I ask, noticing a guy in the back of the shop scrolling on his phone.
The girl calls over her shoulder, “Jay, you open?”
The guy lifts his gaze. “What are you thinking?” He stands to join us.
I take out my phone and open to an image of a firefly tattoo I’d already saved and show it to him, along with Elio’s name already on my chest. “I was thinking the firefly could be standing on the E and shining light across the name. Maybe use white ink for the highlights.”
“Oh, man, lighting is my specialty. We can do something seriously sick with this. Let me put a sketch together.” He snaps a picture of my current tattoo, then hurries off to his desk, seemingly engrossed in inspiration.
When I look at Rina, her eyes are watering.
“That’s really lovely, D. I had no idea,” she says softly.
“I thought about surprising you, but now that we’re here, I’d just assume we do this together, if you’re okay with it. Mine will take quite a bit longer than yours.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” The light of love shines in her eyes, and I feel so damn lucky I could burst.
That’s my firefly—my very own ray of sunshine—and I will devote every day of my life to ensuring her light never dims because her joy is a gift to everyone around her.
She is my priority and my purpose. My reason for being on this earth.
And someday, many years from now, when I see Elio again, I know he’ll be proud of the life I’ve led.