Page 14 of Twisted Little Games (New York City Mafia #3)

Tristan

T hat night at our family celebration, I somehow end up sitting at the end of the table with Saint Rovina.

I start to ask what he’s even doing there, but it’s obvious Stella wanted him here when she announces that she’s pregnant. Besides, if he wasn’t, I’d be the odd man out.

The new boss of Brooklyn looks like shit and is guzzling his whiskey faster than the server can bring him a new one.

“Still no lead on Cami?” I ask, even though I know he’s already in a dark place.

“No,” he answers. When he doesn’t speak again for several moments, I assume that’s the end of our discussion.

Then, he says, “Stella gets a two-minute call once in a while, but Cami doesn’t know where she’s at or how to escape.

Aiden hasn’t had any luck reaching his idiot son to try and talk sense into him.

I just wish Kai would grow a pair and come kill me.

I would deserve it, and I’d welcome it to get Cami back. ”

Damn, he’s not just in a dark place, he’s practically suicidal.

“At least you know she’s still alive,” I tell him. “If he’s kept her alive this long, that’s a good sign that he’s not going to kill her.”

The glare Saint gives me lets me know my words aren’t exactly encouraging.

Fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut. But I should warn Dre his brother-in-law is going off the deep end.

When Creed stands up after we order, everyone shuts up.

“Tonight, while we’re celebrating our freedom, which we owe to Tristan, I also want us to remember Carmine.

My brother was a good man, a better man than me, and he didn’t deserve to die so damn young.

That’s why Zara and I have decided to name our son after him, so he will not be forgotten.

His name will live on in our little boy, a small tribute to my brother every time his name is spoken. ”

“Salute.” I raise my glass of bubbly. “To Carmine.”

“To Carmine,” Dre echoes, and everyone around the table clinks their glasses.

Once Creed sits down, Stella stands up with her glass of water in her hand.

“Thank you, Tristan, for your persistence in giving us all a better future. We’ve all lost loved ones recently, so it’s nice to have something good finally happen.

And there’s one more blessing for us to celebrate tonight.

” Turning to face Dre who sits beside her, she says, “Little Carmine and Oriana are going to have a baby cousin to grow up with them like the three of you guys, and I couldn’t be happier. ”

Everyone cheers, while Dre looks stunned. “Hold on. We’re having a baby? You’re…”

“She’s had morning sickness for a week, you fool,” Creed informs him.

Dre is still in shock as he stares at his wife, obviously seeing what he’s missed. “ Mia dolce vipera is having a baby viper?”

“God help us all,” Saint remarks but there’s a smile on his face as he gets up from his seat to go hug his sister. “Congratulations, Stella. Cami is going to be so happy —”

“I know, and I can’t decide if I should tell her over the phone or wait.”

“Tell her,” Saint suggests. “It’ll give her something to look forward to.”

Stella nods and hugs her twin brother again, as the two, no doubt, miss their sister being here personally to hear the news.

Even once he’s returned to his seat, Dre is still processing. “You…what…how long have you known?”

“Not long. I wanted to wait to tell you when you didn’t have the case and prison sentence hanging over your head.”

“God, I love you.”

“I love you too,” she says before he wraps her in his arms and kisses her as if we’re not in a public place.

“Hard to believe she hated him just a few months ago,” I remark to Saint.

“Hard to believe he survived long enough for her to stop hating him,” he replies, making us both chuckle.

Creed and Zara, Dre and Stella, they all started out as enemies, and now, they’re happily married with babies on the way.

If it’s possible for them, then maybe there’s some small chance I could convince a stubborn DA to let me into her bed again without blackmailing her.

It’s not like I want to marry her or anything. I just want to fuck her once. Maybe twice if the first time is over too quick.

Being with Kirsten was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, probably because she’s the complete opposite of me. I’m everything she hates, and she’s everything I want.

And if it wasn’t my family who sent someone to kill her, then who did? Just because they failed the first time doesn’t mean they won’t try again.

Kirsten needs someone watching her back, and it’s not like I have anything better to do.