Page 132 of The Deal

“Oh, Alexander,” she whispers, her eyes soft as she gazes down at the glass heart in the palm of her hand. The heart has been fastened into a pendant with a small wish charm attached. “Is that part of a dandelion encased inside the glass?”

“It is.” I clear my throat, bracing myself for the confessionI’m about to make. “It was the only seed left on a dandelion I once made a wish on. I’m not sure why I kept it, but I did. I put it inside an envelope, where it sat until a few weeks ago.”

She looks up at me, her expression a mix of curiosity and tenderness. “What did you wish for that day?”

I pause, feeling a tad uncomfortable, but I still manage to answer her as simply and truthfully as possible. “You. I wished for you,bella.”

She gasps. “Was this before or after we met?”

“The morning after our night together … before I found you again.”

Her fingers gently curl around the heart. “You wished for me?” she whispers.

“From the moment I saw you gazing through my hotel window, a part deep inside me knew you were special. When you walked out of my hotel room hours later, I’d already decided that I was going to make you mine.”

“I love it,” she says, her eyes welling with tears. “I love you.”

I wrap my arms tightly around her when she settles against my chest with a breathy sigh. My chin rests on top of her head as my eyes move back to Giovanni, who’s now tearing into another present.

This year, we have a bigger tree—a real one. We went to the Christmas tree farm, and Giovanni picked the one he liked best.

Even though we can afford the best decorations money can buy, he chose to make homemade ones again: colourful paper chains and popcorn garlands. It feels like Chloe has started a new tradition for us, and honestly, I love that.

As a kid, Christmas was pure magic, but that changed when my mum passed away. So, it means so much to methat Giovanni—and all our future children—will experience that same wonder with a mother like Chloe.

They spent last night making cookies, another tradition. I just sat on the kitchen stool and watched them have the best time together.

It’s the little things that I’m starting to appreciate the most.

I lift Chloe off my lap when I hear a knock at the door. We’re not expecting anyone, but I did extend an invitation to my brother, but he never confirmed whether he was coming or not.

I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about being back at the house on the first anniversary of our father’s slaying; I’m guessing not great.

Since returning from Italy, he’s been living in Griffith. Although we have talked on the phone a few times, I haven’t seen him since he brought Giovanni back to us.

My gut tells me he’s returned to living the lifestyle he wanted, but I’m yet to ask him openly. I think deep down I’m scared of the answer.

He’s a grown man, free to make his own choices, but I can’t shake the fear of him getting caught up in that world. I almost lost him once, and I don’t know if I could survive going through that again.

When my father’s will was finalised, the lawyer split everything down the middle, including numerous businesses. The hotel and one of the clubs were always mine, but we divided the rest. I am entirely legitimate now. I have no idea if Dante is still laundering money through his establishments, but again, the less I know, the better.

It was crucial for me to distance myself from all of that. I now have a family to consider, and I refuse to do anything that could threaten them.

When I open the door, the first thing I see is his smilingface. He looks good, healthy …happy. His arms are laden with presents, so I reach out, taking a pile off the top and lightening his load. I nod once at the two men standing behind him, his security, before focusing my attention back on my brother.

“You came.”

He lifts one shoulder nonchalantly. “Christmas is a time to be with family …” His words trail off, but the meaning behind them is clear. We are all each other have now.

I step aside. “Come in; Giovanni and Chloe will be happy to see you.”

He glances over his shoulder for a moment, adjusting the gifts so they balance in one hand before slipping his other arm behind him. When he tugs slightly and a pretty brunette steps out of the shadow of his body, my eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

This is very unlike my brother. He’s had no shortage of women in his life. I’ve seen him leave the club with one on each arm more times than I care to count, but he’s never once brought anyone to a family gathering before.

“You brought a date?”

He smirks. “No. Alexander, this is Arabella … my wife.”