The truth was, I didn’t know if he would, but it seemed like the right thing to say.

“Is it bad that I’m more concerned about Ella than I am Daniele?” Now, that made me laugh. The quiet chuckle left me before I could stop it. And when she glared at me, slapping me lightly on the chest, demanding, “What’s so funny?”

I forced my grin down, but my eyes couldn’t hide my mirth. “One thing about Ella is…” My offhand shrug was followed up with a cool, “She is her father’s daughter.”

And when Vittoria’s face dropped, I smiled. That smiled transformed into a grin when she muttered dismally, “Oh God.”

Standing as she was, wringing her hands together, staring out at nothing, with her lips pouting, I moved, unable to help myself. My palms cupped her face, I tilted her head up and held her still as I brought my face down to hers. The kiss was gentle but firm and when she fell into me with a sigh, I knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Home, with me.

The doorbell rang but I refused to part from her. After a moment, I reluctantly pulled away, but not before I pressed another peck to her full, pink lips. And then, I was all business.

“Because of you and your,” I settled my unyielding gaze on hers, “late night shenanigans,” Her neck heated, turning the prettiest shade of pink, “I have been sorely neglecting my duties. So, for the next hour, I am going upstairs to my office.” The doorbell rang again and I turned towards the sound. “And you are going to answer the door and see to our guest.”

She blinked at me. “Answer the door? Me? On my own?”

She really was adorable sometimes.

“Yes,” I reassured her. “This is your home now, topolina.” I began to walk away. With my back to her, I called back, “Besides this caller is for you.”

* * *

Vittoria

A foot away from the front door, I kept my eyes trained on it. The doorbell rang once more and I worked slowly, unlocking the chain, putting my hand to the knob and pulling the door open.

Almost immediately, Vincenza pushed through and let herself in without even looking at me. Instead, she took in the enemy’s fortress, searching for a weakness. “Took you long enough.” She removed her coat and held it out to me. I took it and waited for her to turn around and look at me. When the silence stretched long enough, she did turn and I almost winced.

Had her eyes always been so cold?

“Huh,” she said without a splinter of concern for my wellbeing. “I thought you were dead.”

Nice to see you too, sister. “Well, I’m not.”