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“I have no intention of putting a hit on Rex.” Enzo stuffed his hands in the pockets of his trousers. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not the usurper here.”
Rex stiffened and inhaled deeply. There was a time when he would’ve responded with a punch to the face. How about that? Rex had grown and changed his ways for the better—less volatile and more like the king of a secret society.
“Let it go, man.” I shook my head. Enzo had been back for almost a year now. And every time they got together, I ended up in the middle of their old quarrel. “It’s been ten years.”
“For you, yeah.” Enzo’s gaze bore into mine.
Next to me, Luce wrapped her arm around my waist, as if she could protect me from Enzo’s wrath. The outrage he’d been fueling for over a decade changed him into someone I no longer recognized. This version of Enzo wasn’t my childhood friend.
“Eleven years have gone by.” Enzo stepped closer. “But not for me. I’m stuck. Every. Goddamn day. It’s always the same.”
“Enzo, not here.” Donata squeezed his shoulder.
“Then where?” He furrowed his brows. “When do we talk about the innocent people that had to die so Rex could be king? How do I move on? Hmm?”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Luce said.
I had never thought to utter those words. We all sort of moved on after that tragic winter. Enzo was left with nothing—not a single reason to make the effort to move on.
“Every day I wake up and it’s senior year at Midtown High. And Aurora’s there. And he’s there.” Enzo pointed at Rex. “And all the bullshit between us plays out all over again. If he had turned it down, our lives would’ve turned out so different.” He glared at Caterina, who had joined Rex.
Rex’s cheeks turned a bright red. The implication wasn’t lost on us. If Rex hadn’t agreed to play his father’s pawn, he wouldn’t have Caterina, and Enzo would be standing here with Aurora by his side. Enzo would be king.
“I didn’t have a choice,” Rex said through gritted teeth.
“There’s always a choice. And you know that.”
“You could’ve said no?” Caterina turned to face Rex, rubbing her upper arm. After a long pause, she let out a breath. “I’m going to check on the caterer.” She walked off.
When Rex made to follow her, Enzo spoke again. “Don’t forget our deal.”
Rex shot him a leveling glare. “I won’t.”
“Come on, Enzo. Let’s get you a drink.” Donata hooked her arm through Enzo’s elbow and escorted him to the bar.
“Well, you wanted a family reunion for Christmas. There you have it.” I gestured toward Donata and Enzo and all the people trying not to make eye contact with us. “Drama and all.”
“Poor Enzo.” Luce’s eyes watered with tears. “To lose someone like that.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” I hugged her waist. “And to think, I came so close to losing you.”
“We’re here now.” Her green gaze found mine. “That’s all that matters.”
“Merry Christmas, Red.” I bent down to kiss her lips.
Thank you so much for reading Once Upon a Christmas, a Wolf Duet bonus epilogue. I hope you enjoyed Santino and Luce’s first Christmas together.
You can read their forbidden love story in theBig Bad Wolf (Wolf Duet, #1), where Santino Buratti kidnaps Luce O’Brien, the fiancée of an Irish boss stirring up trouble in Hell’s Kitchen.
To save my family, I agreed to marry thebutcher.
But then, I met Santino Buratti, the man who takes what he wants without asking—ruthless, powerful, and beautiful.
Nothing could have prepared me for the monster who bought me.
Nor the dark prince who saved me.
Download Big Bad Wolf (Wolf Duet, #1) today!
