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Xander: You love it.

Savvine: Two more nights. Promise.

The second evening, she helped Tati fall asleep, combing through the knots in her curls, telling her stories about nebulae and planets made of crystal.

She repaired a solar relay, met with the surviving officers from the ship’s bridge, and oversaw the reprogramming of the internal nav-system.

But her thoughts never strayed far from Xander, her heart having long since taken root beside his.

On her final night on theEterna, she ate a quiet dinner with her parents as she filled them in on recent events.

After she ended her sojourn, her mother reached for her hand without words. ‘We came so close toHades, stared at its ass, and survived; for that, we are all grateful.’

Her father studied her over his glass of wine.

‘He must be exceptional,’ he quipped.

Savvine blinked, glancing up from her wrist tab. ‘Who?’

Her father offered a wry smile. ‘The man you message like your soul already belongs to him.’

She didn’t argue.

‘Tell us about him,’ her dad invited.

It was now or never.

She took an inhale and launched into her diatribe.

‘His name is Xander, he’s Signet’s Commander. He’s also a shifter. Amostro, as some call them in our world. Yet he’s the most amazing, kind man I’ve ever known bar you dad, and I adore him.’

As she spoke, her eyes lit up.

Her parents sat back, studying her, giving her nothing to work with.

‘Well?’

Her parents exchanged glances.

‘Are you happy?’ her mother demanded.

‘I am.’

Her father grinned, surprising her. ‘Then that’s all we need to know. Did you think we’d have a problem? We’ve seen how Signet’s strong guard have worked to safeguard our asses out here. Hell, he saved your life a few times now, Savvine. He sent his men to salvage this ship and rescue us from the clutches of some alien maniac and Helena. If anything, he’s a hero in our eyes, more so seeing how the mention of him lights you up.’

Her heart beat raced, elation starting to dance in her soul. ‘What about the decree? That says I am forbidden to date or even partner with a shifter or meta?’ ’

Enrico’s mouth twisted, then he spoke with such vehemence that Savvine blinked.

‘Fokkthat shit. During this tumultuous time, the people who came out to help us in our hour of need were not the other mafia families. It was those whom we’ve decreed against. Goes to showwho the true monsters are. I’ll be petitioning the Syndicate to do away with such a fear driven, piss poor law. If they refuse, I’ll get the Bianchi elders to adopt it as an urgent measure. Meanwhile, love and be loved by your man. We can’t wait to meet him.’

‘I’m so happy to hear that, Papa. I love him very much,’ Savvine confessed, clapping her hands to her hot cheeks.

Her mother gave her a warm smile. ‘Then return to him, it’s only a couple of hours’ jaunt away.’

‘Really? Won’t you miss me?’

‘Ovviamente, but we’ve lived apart these last few weeks and survived. We’re made of strong stuff, us Bianchis.’