Chapter 35
Gianna
It should be in our favor. We have the evidence to push Declan out.
Why do I still feel this much anxiety? I run my hand through my hair, tucking a few loose strands behind my ear.
I wonder how Finn felt seeing Declan again.
It's been a few weeks since that incident, and although he swears to me that he's doing okay, I know he still has some healing to do, both mentally and physically.
I pause, my eyes settling on the rows of bookshelves before me. I remember loving this place so much as a kid. It always looked like something out of this world. The chandelier, the lamp, and the marble floor paint the room in an ethereal glow.
Sitting on the shelves are some of my favorite books. Anytime I wanted to get away from my family, away from all the rules, I'd come here to lose myself in the pages where there weren't rules.
Anything could happen; the possibilities were endless.
I reach for a book when the door bursts open, and my heart leaps with joy when I see him.
"Finn," I whisper, and he closes the space between us in seconds, wrapping me in a warm hug. I lean into his touch, his scent filling my nostrils and healing something in me.
"It's over," he whispers, and I exhale a deep breath of relief, hugging him tight. His hand threads through my hair, patting softly as we hug. I smile against his chest, feeling a type of peace I haven't felt in a long time.
"We did it," I whisper against his chest. "What happened to Declan?" I ask. I wish I'd been there to see the look on his face when he realized he'd been cornered.
I wanted to see that sick, smug look he always wears torn from his face. He pulls away slightly, his hand still on my arm.
"He was taken away," Finn answers, gently rubbing my arm. "The Irish council will pass judgment on him. He won't bother us anymore."
I nod, feeling satisfied with the turn of things. "Are you okay?" I ask him, my eyes searching his for any sign of discomfort. For the past few weeks, I've asked that question maybe a bit too much, but I can't help myself. I'm just worried.
Finn smiles, tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ear. "I'm okay, Gianna. I promise."
I return his smile, and his hand rests on my face. We remain like that for what feels like forever, but I pull away when I hear Vito clear his throat.
Finn moves to my side, and I see Liam and Vito. Liam is wearing a "get a room" kind of smile, and Vito's face is just straight and unreadable as always.
"Order has been restored and everything has gone back to how it was," Vito says, sliding his hands into his pockets. "It's gotten even better," Liam chimes in. Vito glances at him before his eyes return to us.
"We wanted to ask what you both want to do now," Vito asks, and for a moment, Vito and Liam look like parents asking their kids what they want. I glance at Finn. We've had this discussion before today, and I guess this is the perfect moment to talk about it.
"We need time," I answer, and Finn's hand slides into mine. Vito's eyes drop to our hand, his jaw twitches, but he doesn't say anything. Finn locks our hands together properly, and his touch sets butterflies in my stomach.
"We don't know whether we'll return to the family or not, but for now, we just want to spend time together outside of the family's business," Finn adds. "I think we deserve that much."
Finn mentioned to me that he's had this discussion with Liam before, but I haven't with Vito, and I wonder if he'll agree. He can be very stubborn, and from the beginning, he never approved of my relationship with Finn. Vito is quiet, too quiet, staring between Finn and me.
"Can you say something already?" I say to Vito, having had it with his mind games.
He sighs and nods. "Fine. You have my blessing," he answers, and I smile at him.
"Thank you, Vito," I say. Although we aren't the typical brother and sister, I know he cares for me in his own way.
"I agree, too," Liam says, and Finn's lips tug into a soft smile. "When you choose to return, there's always a place waiting for you." My heart leaps with joy. I never thought a day like this would come. I imagined something like this happening in my head.
"But..." Vito begins, and I feel my chest drop to my stomach. What more does he have to say? Is he going to change his mind? He better not, or I will...
"You can't leave until you both get married," he concludes, and I look to Finn, my brows raised.
"Marriage?" I turn back to Vito.
Liam chimes in. "Yes, that's right. Your marriage will be the cement that holds the peace just agreed to together," Liam says, running his fingers through his hair. "It will show everyone that this is real."
Marriage. I haven't really thought about it, but now that it's being mentioned, the thought of it makes my stomach flip. I'll be getting married to Finn. Finn Costello. My eyes flick to him, and he smiles, like he's thinking the exact same thing as me.
Finn and I say at the same time, "We agree."