Chapter 48
“When we were around ten years old, Penny and I set up a lemonade stand with our friend Paige outside of her dad’s general store.
We were raising money for concert tickets to a boy band we all wanted to see.
The day started out a major success, and we were selling cup after cup.
One older gentleman even gave us twenty dollars for a single cup of lemonade.
It was getting really hot, and we needed a break.
Since we were still pretty young, my mom had made my older brother, Cody, come with us.
I asked him to watch the stand for us while we went inside to grab a popsicle.
When we came back out, he had a huge smile on his face, so I assumed things were great.
Penny, Paige, and I sold a few more cups after that, but everyone’s noses scrunched up after they took their first sip.
Eventually, people stopped purchasing, and we weren’t sure what was going on.
The temperature had spiked, so we each poured ourselves a glass of lemonade to cool down, and we realized right away why our sales had ceased.
Cody, my dumbass big brother, had poured pickle juice into our lemonade. I still can’t eat pickles to this day.”
Jasmine’s story from her childhood is muffled, but I can’t help but smile inside as I hear it.
“Is that—are you smiling? Dario, can you hear me?”
Yes, angioletta. I hear you. I need you.
Determined to see her beautiful face, I attempt to open my eyes once more. I remember the movements, but for some reason, my body won’t follow my commands. My head roars in pain, angry at me for putting my body through something it isn’t ready for, so I lie back and wait a little longer.
Jasmine’s hand is soft in mine. I try to squeeze it, letting her know that I hear her. That I’m here with her.
“When I first met you, I knew you were dangerous. I’m only telling you this in hopes you won’t remember it, because Lord knows you will never let me live it down, but when my eyes landed on you, I knew you were the most handsome man I had ever seen.
I could also tell you were a complete playboy and a man who is used to getting his way. ”
That’s fair.
“I knew our relationship as attorney and client was enough to keep me grounded. My moral high ground is strong, well, it used to be, and I wasn’t going to give in to some Joker who came along just because he melted my panties with every smile.”
Please tell me more about how I make your panties melt.
“Then you had to go and be the amazing man you are. I didn’t know how to process that, Dario.
My snark and sarcasm typically push guys away, but not you.
It was as though you embraced that side of me, while also bringing out a lighter side I had pushed so far down and tried to hide.
You’re the first man I could truly be myself with. Completely.”
You are both my bull and my angel.
“I’m five foot eight and have always been a big girl, you know?
Nobody ever felt the need to protect me the way you do.
Walking me to my door to make sure I’m safe?
It seems like such a little thing, but you’ll never know how much that meant to me.
Then, when that ass of a man treated me the way he did at Inferno, I somehow knew you would be there.
I knew you would take care of me and get me home safely.
I’ve never had anyone care about me the way you do, Dario.
In that closet at the hockey game? I saw exactly what you would do for me.
I think that’s when I knew there was nobody else on this planet who would protect me and care for me the way you do.
And there’s nobody else on this planet I would want to.
You’re it for me, so I need you to open those beautiful eyes of yours.
I need you to make me smile because I’m so tired of these tears.
I need you to kiss me and tell me that you feel the same way for me as I do for you. ”
I do, Jasmine. I do feel the same way, and as soon as I’m able, I will tell you every single second of every day so the only tears you cry are of joy.
The harshness of the fluorescent lights pierces my eyes, immediately causing me to wince. I suck in a breath through my teeth as a searing pain spreads through my forehead.
“Fuck, did you just open your eyes?”
My lips turn down at a voice that does not belong to my Jasmine.
“Dario, can you do it again?” Gio asks. “Can you open your eyes?”
I give in to his command, slowly lifting my eyelids until my brother’s face comes into view. He’s hovering over me with a rare smile on his face, looking even more stressed than usual.
“Missed you.” I slide my eyes over and see Luca standing beside Gio like usual, though there’s nothing normal about his appearance. Where Luca exudes strength and confidence, he looks defeated today, as though his entire world has been flipped upside down.
“It’s about time you’re back, boy.” My eyes shift once more to land on my father. “We have things to do, and we need you back on your feet.”
If I had full control of my muscles and knew it wouldn’t give me the headache of the century, I’d roll my eyes at him. I don’t need him here playing doting father. In fact, I don’t need him here at all. And as much as I love my brothers, it’s not them I want to see.
“J… J…” I attempt to say her name, but my throat feels like it’s been crushed. Hmm, I guess this is what all the people I’ve killed feel like.
Gio speaks. “She went to grab a cup of coffee. She hasn’t left your side since they moved you in here, and it was starting to wear on her. She’ll be back any minute, though.”
My father clears his throat. “You did a good job with that one.”
I look at him, confused by his praise.
“I told you to make her fall for you, and it seems you succeeded. That girl is head over heels and led you to the bastards who were responsible for attacking our warehouses and taking down our men. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m proud of you.”
I consider his words. He’s proud of me?
“Now that you’re awake and our family is no longer in jeopardy, you can go ahead and end things with her. I have a few men lined up for interviews we can bring on as our family attorneys once she’s gone.”
There he is. The snake of a man who raised me. He doesn’t care that I’m awake. Or that I’m in love. The only thing he cares about is his empire.
My words of disdain can’t come out, so I look at my brothers for help, but as they dart across the room, I freeze. A glimpse of gold in the doorway has my lips lifting, only for them to drop as it fades away.