Page 80 of The Cost of Silence

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.