Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“Ah, Dario,” he croons. “Come, I have something for you.”
I hand over the gift bag and turn back to Jace. “You think you’re so funny. I love how happy you are today,” I say.
“How could I not be in a good mood? Did you see his face?”
“Who do I have to pay to rewind that moment and amplify the heart attack he had?”
We both laugh. Jace reaches to pull the metal stick from my hair. I take it from him carefully and tuck it away. When he looks me in the eyes, I turn away.
“You planned to stab him with that, didn’t you?”
“I thought about it.”
“G knew you would come close.”
“Always testing me,” I snort. I side glance him. “You two had a bet. That’s why you’re in such a good mode, isn’t it?”
He shrugs. “Just know I was rooting for you either way.”
“We’re leaving soon,” Gio joins us and says. “Come, let’s say our goodbyes to Bella.”
Chapter 41
Viking Triangle
Jace
“I say it was worth it. He wasn’t expecting to see you and when you said ‘Boo, bitch,’ I almost lost my shit.” Gio laughs and sips at his drink.
I haven’t been able to stop smiling all day. Having Ny around felt good. Watching the look on Riccardo’s face felt better. Nothing can break this good mood I’m in.
I sit in only a pair of jeans with a tumbler of spiked eggnog in my hand as we sit opening gifts on the floor of the living room in our apartment.
Ny has changed into a pair of her brand’s logo short shorts and a crop top. Gio is like me, shirtless and barefoot. Music is playing softly in the background. This feels so normal.
“I don’t know. I don’t think we should have been there with Lizzy around. What if he targets her?” Ny says and chews on her lip.
Gio makes a bitter scoff. “The fuck he will. The only reason he pulled that shit with you is because he thought it would piss me off and get Nonno’s attention.”
“That’s why you wanted him to see me today. You wanted to see where his head was. It’s not about you. He’s provoking your grandfather. He still doesn’t see you as a threat. Oh my God. How can he be so obsessed with you and still so fucking blind?”
“It’s the obsession that blinds him,” I say. “Did you see how he dismissed you in the end? I doubt he took the time to connect who Lizzy is.”
“I know he didn’t,” Gio says. “But enough about him.”
Gio hands each of us a gift. Ny and I tear into them like little kids. Inside are leather-bound journals with our initials on the front. I look up and grin.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“We have to say our pact over them,” Ny gushes as she holds hers against her chest.
“We will,” Gio says with a smile.
“I’m next. I have something for both of you.”
Ny goes to grab a few boxes from under the tree. We watch her and wait. I drain my glass and debate on pouring another. However, her excitement causes me to focus on the gift she hands me.
I open it to find a necklace. I lift it from the box and look at the pendant hanging from it. It’s a triangle. I look up at Ny and lift a brow. Gio lifts a little triangle charm from the box he opens, no chain is attached.
Ny has a goofy smile on her face as she hands over her triangle.
“You have to put them together, like this. They create Odin’s knot.
“We’ve been bound together since we were born. I thought this would be the perfect way for me and G to show you you’re a part of us,” Ny explains.
I swallow hard. “I love this,” I say, my accent pushing through.
This means more than she could ever understand. It is said that Odin’s knot symbolizes his ability to bind and unbind. It’s also said to symbolize the transition between life and death.
These two are my life and only death will separate me from them. Ny hands Gio a box and he opens it. His mouth falls open as he pulls a pocket watch out.
He loves pocket watches. He used to collect them. He pops it open and looks up at Ny with emotion covering his face.
“The face is ruby for you guys’ birthstones. The triquetra on the outside holds a similar meaning to the Valknut for Italians if you think of Christianity. I had them make it out of opal. My birthstone,” Ny says.
Although not exactly the same, I get what she means. She nailed these gifts. Now if we can live up to what they symbolize.
Gio
I stand with the pocket watch in my hand as I look out over the city view from the living room window. Staring at the bright lights of the city that never sleeps, I open the watch and listen to it tick.