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I almost didn’t tell him what Lucien had said, but I knew it was wrong to keep it from him. “Remember how I told you the man who helped us rescue you works for an organization that helps people the police can’t or won’t?”
“Yes.”
“Lucien thinks, if you were interested, they might have a place for you. Someone with your knowledge of the inside would be an asset to them.”
He looked intrigued. “I’ll need some time to think about it, but I’m going to write my resignation letter tomorrow.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I don’t want us to have to keep that many secrets from each other.”
“Then I’ll help you figure out where you want to go from here.”
“Thank you.”
I gave him a gentle kiss. “Now…”
“Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like what you have to say?”
“If—and only if—you’re feeling up to it, my family would like us to join them for dinner.”
34
Joe
I could easily say I wasn’t well enough. Devil would bring me food here, but I needed to start getting to know his family, especially if I was going to be staying here for a while. “This is important to you, isn’t it?”
“It is. I asked Lola to make lasagna because I remembered how much you loved it, but you don’t have to do this tonight.”
“I’ll come down. I don’t know how long I’ll last afterwards, but I could use a change of scenery. I’m starting to get stiff from lying in bed all day.”
“All right, but if you start to feel bad, let me know, and I’ll walk you back upstairs.”
“I think I can manage to find my room on my own.”
“I’m not taking any chances with you. Not after I thought… Not after yesterday.”
Devil insisted on showering with me to make sure I didn’t fall. Having him there tempted me to do things I knew I wasn’t ready for.
He’d gotten someone to deliver my clothes and other personal things from my apartment. I was glad to have my own things, but just showering and getting dressed made me feel worn out. I had to hold onto the bedpost when I stood after putting my shoes on.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Devil asked.
“Yes. I’ve gone this far, and I want to get this over with.”
He held my hand and insisted on walking down the stairs right in front of me, ready to catch me if I got dizzy.
“I’m okay,” I insisted. “I just have a headache, and my wrist still hurts.”
“I know how stubborn you are. I’m not taking any chances.”
The dining room was large by city standards. The table sat eight and looked like it could be expanded to accommodate more.
Lucien and a thin blond man I figured must be his boyfriend Peter were already seated, along with a woman with curly dark hair who I assumed was their aunt Sabrina. Before Devil had a chance to officially introduce me, Angelo and Cameron came in.
When we were all seated, Devil introduced me to Peter and Sabrina. He started to introduce me to Cameron, but Cameron interrupted him. “We’ve already met, though under very different circumstances.”
A lot had changed since I’d interrogated him. “I apologize for my attitude that day. I was angry with myself for not wanting to pursue the case, but I also hoped you’d repeat what I said to Devil.”
“It looks like you got the attention you wanted from him.” Cameron’s smirk should have annoyed me, but I wasn’t sure anything could with Devil by my side.
“I’ve had a chance to taste some of your baked goods,” I told Cameron. “They’re amazing.
That made him flash me a genuine smile. “Keep complimenting me like that, and I’ll forget all about our previous meeting.”
The fact that he was joking with me boded well for the future. I had been an ass when I’d met him, but he’d held his own. I’d been impressed.
The atmosphere at the table was tense at first, but when Lola brought in plates filled with lasagna and salad, everyone focused on the food.
“Thank you for making your lasagna,” I told her. “It’s truly the best I’ve ever had.”
She beamed. “You’re welcome. I love to cook for people who appreciate it.”
Over the course of the meal, I began to grow more comfortable. Devil and his cousins teased each other, and watching Peter and Cam observe their antics made me smile. I could tell how much they adored Lucien and Angelo, but they weren’t afraid to laugh at them or scold them when their posturing got out of hand.
At one point, I grabbed Devil’s arm when he looked ready to throw a roll across the table at his cousin.
“Good reflexes,” Sabrina said. “You’re going to fit in well here.”
By the time we finished dinner, I understood why these people meant so much to Devil. They might run a powerful criminal organization, but sitting around the dinner table, they were just a warm, loving family who knew how to laugh with each other. As far as I was concerned, that was pure magic.
