Page 102 of Brutal Heir

“Nothing compared to what you’ve given me.”

She flips it over, then scans the engraving for an endless moment. “It’s perfect,” she finally breathes. “No one has ever given me such a perfect gift.” She throws her arms around the back of my neck and jumps into my lap, clutching the necklace in her fist. “Thank you,” she whispers against my ear.

“I’m the one who should be thanking you.” I hold her out to arm’s length and tip her chin up so her tear-filled eyes meet mine. “If you hadn’t shown up at my door all those weeks ago, I’m not sure I’d still be standing here today.”

“Oh, stop, of course you would’ve been, McFecker.”

“Maybe, but I wouldn’t be happy about it.”

Her lips crash into mine, hungry and insistent, salty tears dribbling between us. I clutch her tighter, pouring everything I can’t seem to say into the kiss. Every brush of my tongue is a confession of how lost I was, how she dragged me out of the darkness, how she stitched me back together piece by broken piece just by being her.

When we finally pull apart, she rests her forehead against mine, breath hitching as her fingers trace the edge of my jaw. “You didn’t need saving, Alessandro,” she whispers. “You just needed someone to remind you who you are.”

I let out a shaky breath, my thumb brushing the dampness from her cheek. “Then consider me reminded. Every goddamn day I look at you.”

Her smile is small but real, and I swear, right here in this quiet moment, I’ve never believed in anything more than I believe in us.

“Can you help me put it on?”

I nod, unexpected emotion tightening my throat as I clasp the pendant around the back of her neck.

Merry Christmas to me.

“I want the biggest, most beautiful tree they have.” Rory beams beside me as we walk down Central Park West a few hours later, a flurry of light snow kissing the air. With our hands entwined, smiling like a real couple on Christmas Day, I don’t have to pretend anymore.

This is real.

“You’re the boss,” I grumble. “I’ll get you whatever tree you want, tiny tyrant.” Despite the vow I’d made years ago neveragain to have a tree in my penthouse. They’re nothing but trouble, dropping pine needles all over the place.

“Just remember that when we get home, and it’s bath time.”

I shoot her a wicked grin. Clearly, I haven’t needed a sponge bath from my nurse for some time now, but she continues to indulge me all the same. “Only if you get in with me.”

“We’ll see how you behave today, Rossi.”

We turn the corner to the tree yard along Central Park, a sorry assortment if you ask me, but Rory’s smile tells a completely different story. She releases my hand and practically sprints toward the smattering of remaining pines and evergreens.

As she weaves between the snow-capped trees practically floating, I just stand there watching her, grinning like an eejit.Dio, this woman has me by the balls. I need to tell her I love her. Even if I scare her off. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that life is short, and everything can go to hell in the blink of an eye.

“I want this one!” Rory jumps up and down on her tiptoes, clapping her hands like a little kid.

Winding between the trees, I move beside her to examine the gigantic one she’s chosen.

“So what do you think?”

I shrug. “Looks good.”

“Just good? It’s perfect!”

“If it makes you happy, it’s perfect.”

“Do you have any ornaments at home?”

My eyes narrow as I regard her. “What do you think?”

“Guard my baby with your life, scrooge.” She releases a grunt and stomps off to the register where a few boxes of glittering ornaments still remain on the racks. Once she’s chosen her fill, she hands them over to the sales lady then signals toward me and the towering evergreen.

Three hundred dollars later, and I’m hauling the biggest Christmas tree known to man back to the penthouse. I’m muttering curses the whole time, regretting having dismissed Sammy’s offer for a ride. If it wasn’t for the little leprechaun grinning beside me, the trudge home would’ve been completely unbearable.