Chapter 18
Nico turned four in the spring.
He wanted a dragon cake.
I nearly choked.
Dante looked guilty.
“It is still the family symbol.”
“It was my nightmare symbol.”
Nico held up four sticky fingers.
“Dragon cake.”
So we made a dragon cake.
Not black.
Not sharp.
Green frosting.
Big smile.
Tiny wings.
Nico said it looked like a sleepy dinosaur.
I decided I could survive that.
The party was at Bellagio before dinner service.
No dangerous men.
No council.
Just staff, children from the foundation, Elaine, Dante, Nico, and me.
Sofia’s photograph watched over the bar.
I wondered if she would laugh at the cake.
Probably.
Nico ran to me with frosting on his cheek.
“Aunt Mara, up.”
I lifted him.
He was heavier now.
Still trusting.
Still warm.
Dante watched us with a look that no longer seemed only sad.
After cake, Nico opened presents.
Elaine gave him a book of Italian lullabies.
I gave him a small wooden train.
Dante gave him a tiny jacket.
Nico ignored all of them and played with the wrapping paper.
Perfect child logic.
Later, when the others left, Dante and I cleaned frosting from table seven.
He said, “I used to hate this table after that night.”
“Why?”
“Because it reminded me of shock.”
I wiped sugar from the edge.
“What about now?”
“Now it reminds me that Nico knew before I did.”
I looked at him.
“Knew what?”
“That you belonged.”
My throat tightened.
“Dante.”
“I am not asking anything.”
“I know.”
“I am only telling the truth.”
Truth.
That word had hurt me for so long.
Now it warmed slowly in my chest.
I placed the cloth down.
“I’m not ready for anything simple.”
He smiled.
“Nothing about us has ever been simple.”
That made me laugh.
Then, carefully, because I chose it, I kissed his cheek.
May you like
He went completely still.
For once, the dangerous man had no idea what to do.
