Page 99 of Black Jack (Advantage Play 5)

“You’ll have me regardless, babe. No matter what you decide––”

“I know.” Her catlike eyes are wide as she peeks up at me. “What do you think we should do?”

“I think you hit the nail on the head. They’re family, regardless of what we decide today. Like I said, they had my back when no one else did. But if you’re not comfortable….”

“It’s a big decision.” She sighs.

“It is.”

“And it’s not like you can back out if you decide this life is too much for you.”

“I know.”

“They’re not like my brother. Or my dad,” she concludes, thinking out loud more than anything else.

“No. They’re not.”

“And I think they really love you.”

I pull her into my chest and smile even though she can’t see it. “I think you’re right about that part too.”

“And you’re okay with that? Getting your hands dirty?”

“We’ve already talked about this,” I tease.

“I know, but I need to hear you say it one more time,” she pleads. “I’m used to this life. I’m used to handling curveballs and adapting to new situations. But I need to know you’re okay with getting your hands dirty if the occasion calls for it. Tell me, Jack.”

“Isn’t that what life is? Using your own moral compass instead of the one society has put into place for you? They still have their rules, Bianca. The Romanos aren’t bad guys.”

“You’re right. And neither are you, Jack. You’re the best man I’ve ever met.”

“I’m far from perfect,” I argue.

“You’re perfect for me. And honestly, I kind of think the people downstairs are perfect for you too.”

I smile and pull her tighter while trying to keep my anticipation in check. “What are you saying, Bianca?”

“I’m saying that I trust you and that I know what it’s like to have your family ripped away from you. Even though I wasn’t close with Dom, it still hurt. I don’t ever want to be the reason that your family downstairs is ripped away.”

“You know I’d choose you over them in an instant.”

“I’m not asking you to. It was…nice, down there. To feel like a person instead of an object. Instead of a pawn. I….” she exhales slowly. “I think I’m okay with this if you are.”

I keep my arms around her waist but pull away a few inches and force her to look me in the eye while searching for any hesitation or indecision.

“You sure?” I demand.

She smiles. “Yes. On one condition.”

“And what’s that?”

“We have our own place.”

I laugh and squeeze her a little tighter. “You don’t wanna do the whole Brady Bunch under one roof kind of thing?”

“Maybe every once in a while, but I don’t think they’d appreciate a baby waking them up in the middle of the night.”

I freeze, convinced I’m jumping to a conclusion that’s way off base. “What did you just say, Bianca?”