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“I-I can’t.” Because I’d said it twice now. And neither time he said it back.
“Okay then, I’ll say it.” He gazed down at me. “You love me.”
“Don’t tease me.” I tried to glance away from him, but he kept me there. Anchored in place so I had no choice but to stare up at him.
“I’m not teasing you. I’m here because… because I—”
“Tristan?” The sound Arianne’s voice made cut through the air. “What’s going on?” Confusion clouded her eyes as she watched us.
“That’s something I’d also like to know the answer to.” Nicco stepped up behind his wife and glared at me.
No, not me, I realized.
Tristan.
“Why are you touching my sister like that, Capizola?”
Crap.
This was bad. So very bad.
“Nicco, I can explain,” I rushed out. “It’s not what you think.”
“Actually, Nic,” Tristan stepped around me, tucking me into his side. “It’s exactly what it looks like.”
“The two of you…” Arianne wagged a casual finger between us but her expression was anything but casual.
“It’s always been Tristan,” I said, finding my voice. What happened in the cabin had only confirmed it.
“And you, when did you decide you had a thing for my baby sister?” Nicco cut Tristan with a seething glare.
“Nicco.” I stepped forward, putting myself between them. “Don’t do this. I’m begging you. Tristan saved my life. He saved me, Nic. Doesn’t that count for something?”
“Go inside, Alessia. Me and Tristan are going to have a little chat.”
“No.” I lifted my chin in defiance. “I will always be your little sister. But I am not a child. I can choose who I love, who I give my heart to.” I took Tristan’s hand in mine and gazed up at him. “And I choose him. I choose Tristan.”
“Tristan?” Arianne said softly.
He let out a heavy sigh, his breath skittering over my neck. “I didn’t mean for it to happen, but she’s right. Something changed between us out there. And I’m done fighting it.”
“Please, Nicco.” I silently implored my brother. “It’s time to let somebody else protect me.”
“You know I will,” Tristan added, squeezing my hand. “I would die before I ever let anything hurt her.”
The muscle in Nicco’s jaw flexed, but then he exhaled a steady breath, and said, “You should come inside. It seems we have a lot to talk about, and Genevieve made enough to feed the whole neighborhood.”
“Thank you.” I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight. “Thank you.”
“It doesn’t mean I’m okay with this. Whatever this is. But I’m prepared to hear him out.”
I nodded, unable to fight the grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. “We’ll be right in,” I said, hoping they would give me and Tristan a moment’s privacy.
“One minute, and not a second longer,” Nicco said, spinning on his heel and heading back into the kitchen.
Arianne gave me a small tentative smile. “I can’t pretend to understand this. But if I know anything, it’s that love works in mysterious ways.” She took off after Nicco but paused at the last second and glanced back. “Tristan, I know I don’t need to tell you that if you hurt Alessia, I won’t be able to stop the hell that Nicco will rain down on you.”
Tristan stiffened behind me but I saw the playful glint in her eyes. It was a warning but one laced with amusement.
