Page 114 of Dark Desires

We settle into chairs, the men giving us space to catch up, Alexei taking Domenico and putting him on his shoulders as he and Omar head off.

I can’t stop staring at my cousin, so happy and free. “You look amazing, Steph. Sicily agrees with you.”

“It does,” she says, glancing at Omar in the distance, a soft smile on her face. “And the Camorra’s protection makes it easy to sleep at night. No one’s coming after us here.”

I nod. “Christian still looking for his son?”

“Always,” she replies, her tone steady. “Even from jail. The prick has people everywhere. But no one’s stupid enough to follow him here.”

We fall into silence for a moment.

Finally, Stephania reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Your dad would be so proud of you, Isa.”

Tears sting my eyes. “I just… I hope I’m doing enough.”

“More than enough,” she says. “You’re everything he wanted for the family.”

I take a deep breath. “Thanks, Steph.”

Alexei walks over, Domenico in his arms, and plants a kiss on my temple. “Ready to hit the beach?”

I glance at Stephania, who nods. “Go. Enjoy. We’ve got plenty of time.”

As we head out, the sun dipping low over the horizon, I feel it in my bones—this is what peace looks like. My family, my love, my future. It’s all right here, and it’s only just beginning.