Page 97 of Thorns of Blood

“Not yet, but I will.”

“Just remember that the cost can be too great.” Her expression remained unchanged. “Sometimes it’s best to leave the past behind us and focus on our future.”

Then why did it feel like she was reciting those words like it was her duty, not her belief?

The sun was just setting as Giovanni and I walked along the Boston streets, busy with people rushing to their destinations, cars honking, and street vendors shouting for our attention. We took an Old Town Trolley before strolling down Acorn Street, reminiscing about colonial Boston, before we left the old part of the city and headed away from the busy area.

Still processing everything from our meeting with Kian yesterday and my meeting with Dr. Freud this morning, I’d begun to ponder whether maybe she might have a point. Was it finally time to leave the past behind and focus on the future, on rebuilding relationships with my twin?

I hadn’t felt this good in such a long time, and it made me giddy with optimism.

With his black suit, green eyes, and sharp features, Giovanni belonged on the cover ofGQ, not strolling down the street and certainly not in the mafia. I was wearing a simple blue dress that came down to above my knees. My hair fell down my back, and I wore a nude pink lipstick.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“I told you, we’re going on a date.” Giovanni’s eyes were vigilant, although his posture appeared casual. His hand was on my back, the touch so normal yet so foreign to me.“Now, let’s enjoy this stroll, wife, and stop questioning everything.”

My lips twitched, the warmth in my chest making me feel lighter than ever before. I liked Giovanni like this, handsy and affectionate. I could get used to this feeling, one that grew stronger every day I spent around him.

Taking a turn to the right, we entered an industrial area and made our way through more isolated streets. My gaze attentive, I scouted the area, wondering where he was taking me. I’d never been on a date, but I knew enough that normal people didn’t go to the industrial area for romance.

But then again, we weren’t exactly a normal couple.

We made our way down a dark alley, stopping in front of an unmarked metal door.Bang. Bang. Bang.

It didn’t take long for the heavy door to creak open.

Giovanni’s warm palm at the small of my back guided me into the club. A luxurious black granite bar lined the expansive back wall, and sleek bar stools surrounded a dance floor that was elevated and reminded me of a stage.

“A bar?” I croaked in disbelief. “Our first date is in a bar?”

He chuckled, his hand leaving my back. “It’s actually a dance club on some days. Today being one of them.”

“And other days?” I tilted my head, still following him deeper into the building.

“Other days, it’s a voyeur’s club.”

My head whipped around, almost causing me whiplash. “What?”

He found my surprise amusing. “Don’t worry, I’m not into all that. I just thought it’d be the easiest and safest club to visit since my brother-in-law owns it.”

My brows scrunched. “Do Declan and your sister partake in that stuff?”

“I don’t want to know, but considering he bought it for Marissa…” He gave his head a subtle shake. He lifted our joinedhands, brushed his lips across my knuckles. “I’d rather focus on us. After all, this is our first date.”

My eyes fell to our joined hands, my heart thumping.First date.Slowly but surely, Giovanni was knocking every single item off my list.

“I like that,” I murmured, my insides a raging flood of emotions thanks to him. But unlike in my past, I didn’t mind them. I welcomed them, and there was something to be said about that.

He led me through the sea of people to a private corner, where he let out a string of curses.

“What’s the matter?” I whispered under my breath.

“I’d really hoped my siblings wouldn’t be here.”

We paused at the booth.

“What’s going on?” Giovanni asked, eyes scanning his family.