My aunt’s eyes widen further. Recognition flickers in her expression. Her smile shifts from genuine to forced. She maintains that strained smile throughout our visit to the dementia village. It only softens when she talks with Dr. Saaha, the staff, and visits my Nonna. She’s quiet on the ride back, and as we pull up to her car, she finally speaks.
“I appreciate you taking the time to drive me to see Nina, Mr. MacBrady,” Aunt Cathy says stiffly. I’ve noticed she hasn’t used his first name once since learning his last name. “It was nice meeting you... under these circumstances.” I’m sure Cyan doesn’t miss the slight.
“You’re welcome anytime, Cathy. But such formality isn’t necessary,” he says. “Aria will soon be my wife, making her family mine. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure her happiness.” Aunt Cathy blinks at his possessive tone, before turning to me.
“Aria, may I have a word? In private. Walk me to my car. We can talk there.”
“Sure, Aunt Cathy,” I hesitate and look at Cyan.
“Go on, Dove.” Cyan’s tone is calm but laced with an unspoken warning. “Don’t take too long.” I gulp, reading his meaning between his words, and follow my aunt to her car. Once inside, she locks the doors and spins to face me.
“Aria, have you lost your ever-loving mind?”
Feigning innocence. “I know you think we’re rushing into marriage, Aunt Cathy, but life is short.” I force brightness into my words, desperate to end this conversation. Cyan’s warning from last night flashes through my mind.Would that include my aunt?
“Aria, don’t treat me like a fool. Do you even know who that man is?”
“Yes, I’m marrying him. Of course, I know who he is.”
“Child, that man is dangerous. Ethan told me about that family and him—he’s the Capo Bastone of Boston. So again, I ask… what are you doing with that monster of a mobster?”
Fucking Ethan, the man like a tick that’s hard to dislodge. Her words light a fuse in me. Yes, I’ve seen Cyan’s monstrous side. But I’ve also watched him build an entire village so my grandmother could live with dignity. I’ve seen him with Rosa, with his crew of brothers, with that same twisted, fierce loyalty.
“Aunt Cathy, I thought you, of all people, would know not everything you hear is true.” My voice shakes. “Because of this so-called ‘monster,’ Nonna isn’t strapped to a chair or drugged into oblivion.”
“Aria, painting a black cat with white stripes doesn’t make it a white cat. For the first time since your grandmother’s accident, I’m glad she can’t recognize you. She’d be as disappointed as I am.” Her statement hits like a slap. My fingers dig into the cool metal of the door handle to stay grounded.
“I know you’re worried,” I manage. “Aunt Cathy, I appreciate it. But please understand—my feelings for Cyan scare me as much as they thrill me. I know this is complicated. I need you to trust me.”
“Aria, he’s a criminal,” her voice is breaking. “You do not know what you’re getting into. You’re throwing your life away for a mobster. What happened to the sensible girl I helped raise?”
“I need you to accept my choices.”
“End it now, Aria. Or else.”
“You’re not listening,” I snap. “You’re dictating my future based on your fears, not my reality. If you love me, trust my judgment. Let me make my own decisions.”
“I won’t watch you make a colossal mistake. Get out.” That cuts deeper than any insult. For a heartbeat, I can’t move. “Get out,” she yells. I scramble to open the door and jump out. The engine roars, tires squeal, as she drives away. I stand on the sidewalk, watching her taillights vanish, grief clawing at my chest, before turning back toward Cyan’s waiting car. Johnny stands by the open door, his expression neutral. I climb in, the weight of the confrontation settling over me like lead.
“Where to, Capo?” Salvo asks.
“Head home, Salvo.” Cyan turns to face me, features etched with a grimace, hardening his jawline. He’d held it back for Aunt Cathy’s sake, but now, the Capo of Boston simmers just beneath the surface.Is he angry about what she said? Or what I didn’t say?Despite her reaction, I know Aunt Cathy’s anger came from love.
“Cyan, look, Aunt Cathy is looking out for me. Like Rosa does for you.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck about your aunt’s reaction. In fact, I respect her for it.”
“Then what’s that expression about?”
“Who else have you told that you’re dating that piece of shit?” Right. Ethan.
I wince. “I didn’t tell her I’m dating Ethan,” I whisper the last bit. “Just... never corrected her assumption.” Cyan stares at me, silent. His stormy glasz eyes, turbulent as a hurricane, never leave mine. As the car glides toward the estate, I wonder if he’s turned to stone. The only sign he’s still human is the rise and fall of his chest.
When we arrive, Cyan undoes his seatbelt; only then does he speak. “Johnny. Salvo. Get the fuck out. Aria and I have unfinished business.” They exit without a word. The doors click shut. We’re alone. Tension crackles in the air, sharp as static. I’m tethered to my seat, pulse racing.
“Come here, Dove,” Cyan says, each word a dark promise.
I unclip my seatbelt. “I get that you’re obsessive, but this isn’t the place—”
