Page 46 of Trapped
A bell toned to signal the start of the charity auction. Santino hooked my waist and led me from the noise into a smaller area with catered food. He approached a group sitting at a table.
A small boy with dark, wavy hair slipped off his chair, and a petite woman in a spangled dress and loose, blonde curls dragged him back. The boy ripped free of her grip, crashing into Santino’s legs.
Santino helped him up, adjusting his little tie. “Where are you running off to, huh?”
The boy’s eyes widened.
Santino’s lip curled. “What, nohellofor your favorite uncle?”
The boy looked at Santino like he was a god. “Hi.”
Santino crouched beside his nephew. “When are you going to visit me?”
The boy shrugged. “When will you buy me another present?”
The blonde woman nearby flushed a deep red. “Oh, Jack. You did not just say that.”
Santino chuckled. “My apologies, boss. Didn’t realize I was behind on your payment schedule. How about I bring you something nice next week?”
“A big present!” Jack burst.
Santino rumpled his hair. Then he dug into his pocket and fished out a wrapped piece of chocolate. “Here you go, kid.”
Jack tore into the candy and shoved it into his mouth. “Who is that?”
Santino claimed my waist again. “My girlfriend.”
I shot him a look, irritated, but I couldn’t say anything in front of the kid. Jack gawked at me, eating his chocolate.
“Yourgirlfriend?”
Santino kissed my head. “Yup. Isn’t she beautiful?”
The boy nodded.
The blonde woman hovering nearby approached us, her expression a mix of curiosity and politeness. She gave me a warm, welcoming smile, though there was a slight edge to it. Turning to me with a smile, Santino straightened. “Delilah, meet my sister-in-law, Violet.”
Violet shook my hand. “So you’re the one keeping this man smilin’. It’s lovely to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
Santino watched our exchange, his arm casually draped over my shoulder.
Violet’s eyes flicked to Santino. “So, looks like you found yourself someone to keep you in line, huh?”
Santino looked down at me, smirking. “I don’t know about that.”
Violet’s laugh was light, her tone tinged with sharpness. “I remember when Achille used to be all tough. Took him a while to admit he needed me. Seems like you’re still workin’ on that part.”
His jaw tightened. “Delilah’s got me rethinking a few of my rules.”
Violet’s eyes twinkled. “Delilah, you must be quite the charmer to have him all twisted up like this.”
I enjoyed the subtle tug-of-war between Violet’s playful jabs and Santino’s attempt to maintain control. Despite her bubbly demeanor, Violet wasn’t one to let Santino get too comfortable.
A flush crept up my neck. His fingers brushed my arm, stirring the turmoil inside me. Was I more to him, or was this another ploy to trap me? The affection, the closeness felt genuine, but how could it be real when every moment was paid for? The thought gnawed at me.
Kill approached our group, his posture relaxed yet imposing. Violet leaned into him with a sigh.