Chapter 22 Nico
We pay, haul the obscene amount of decorations out to the car, and then I drive us to a boutique tree shop, the kind that sells high-end artificial trees so realistic they might as well be breathing.
She circles them slowly, touching needles, comparing heights, humming under her breath.
I watch her and then I text my brothers, telling them to meet me at my place and for Adi to bring Letty. She wants family and fuck knows we need it. I realize I’m not even pretending to mind this trip anymore. I’m enjoying it.
“Which one?” she asks.
“You choose.”
Her mouth falls open. “I get to decide?”
“You’re the one decorating.”
Her cheeks flush. “Nico… this means more than you know.”
I do know. And that’s exactly why I’m doing it.
She picks a tall, artificial pine with fake snow and warm, built-in lights. Elegant. Soft. Beautiful. Just like her.
By the time we get back to the penthouse, I can hear voices inside before the door fully opens.
Isabella frowns. “Are you expecting someone?”
I step aside for her to enter the room first.
Adriano is in my living room with Letty on his lap, eating a candy cane. Matteo is on my couch, feet up, stealing cookies from Letty’s plate.
All three freeze when they see me. Then they see her.
Matteo’s mouth curves into a knowing grin. “Well, well, well.”
Her shock is immediate. “Oh! Hi! I didn’t know…”
Letty hides her face in Adriano’s shoulder the second we walk through the door, the way she always does around anyone she doesn’t know. Big dark eyes, curls bouncing around her face, wearing one of those ridiculous sparkly sweaters she loves.
Isabella freezes mid-step, a box of glass baubles in her hands, surprise flickering across her face. She looks at Letty like she’s not sure if she’s allowed to step closer, which, for once, is the correct fucking instinct.
Adi is careful with his daughter. Careful to the point of paranoia. He doesn’t let just anyone near her, and especially not near whatever danger still shadows the Mancini name and that, in his mind, is still Isabella.
But he gives a little nod. Subtle. Permission.
Letty peeks her head around, studying Isabella with quiet, serious concentration, the same look Adi has when he’s deciding if someone is a threat. Before she slides her feet to the ground and gets off her father’s lap.
I watch Isabella soften, slow and warm, like she doesn’t want to scare my niece. She crouches a little, enough to make herself smaller, approachable.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she says gently. “I’m Isabella.”
Letty considers that. Considers her. Then she looks at Adriano. “Papa?” she whispers.
“It’s okay,” he murmurs, brushing her curls back. “She’s a friend.”
Something in my chest pulls tight at hearing that. A friend. Of ours.
Letty steps forward, tiny and brave, and Isabella’s smile widens just enough to make my ribs ache. She doesn’t touch her first, she waits. Smart. Respectful.
Letty reaches out with one small hand and taps Isabella’s sweater, fingers brushing the fabric like she’s checking if it’s real. “It’s soft,” she says quietly.
Isabella’s breath catches in a way only I notice. “Yeah,” she whispers. “It is.”
And then Letty does something no one expects.
She lifts her arms. Asking.
Isabella glances up at Adi, uncertain. He nods again, slower this time, like granting a privilege.
Isabella gathers Letty carefully. A flicker of pain crosses her face, gone as soon as it comes. I pretend I didn’t see it, because if I acknowledge it, I’ll take Letty from her and ruin this.
Letty beams. Full smiles. Dimples and all.
My brothers stare as if I’d just brought home a wild animal that decided to sit politely in the middle of the living room instead of tearing the place apart.
Fragile. Precious.
And in that moment, watching Isabella hold something we protect with blood and bone…she fits so easily into that picture it’s dangerous. Too dangerous.
But for the life of me, I can’t look away.
Matteo whispers loudly to Adriano, breaking the spell. “He bought a tree. A tree. Our brother bought a tree.”
I glance back to see three of my men wrestling the enormous tree through the door and feel a headache pinching at my brow.
Adriano murmurs back, “Shut up.”
I ignore them and walk up behind Isabella, sliding a hand along her waist as she straightens with Letty on her hip.
She looks at me in question.
I kiss her. In front of all of them. Slow, firm, claiming.
When I pull back, she’s breathless and wide-eyed.
Matteo whistles. “Jesus Christ, it’s official.”
Letty beams. “Are you staying for Christmas? Can I help you decorate?”
Isabella laughs. “Yes. Please. I need help managing your uncles.”
Matteo clutches his chest. “Wounded. Betrayed. I liked you, Isabella.”
“You still do,” she says dryly.
He grins, completely unoffended. “Unfortunately, yes.”
I take the tree box from the floor. “If we’re doing this,” I say, looking at all of them, “we’re doing it right. No half-ass decorations.”
“You do realize it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet, right?” Adi huffs.
“Stop being a grinch and help us.”
Matteo smirks. “Who are you, and what did you do with my brother?”
Adriano just nods, something warm in his eyes. Approval. Acceptance. Family.
Isabella watches the three of us quietly, something tender in her expression, something soft enough to level me.
And for the first time in longer than I can remember… the penthouse feels like a home.