Chapter 79 Chapter 79

Chapter 79 Chapter 79
Ayanna 

“So, tell me about yourself, Catherine,” Massimo says over Christmas dinner.

The kitchen staff have outdone themselves this time. The table’s loaded with a vast selection of holiday foods.

No dish stands out more than the herb roasted turkey and maple glazed ham serving as the center piece of the table. My plate’s so full, I’m not even sure where to begin, and I spend several seconds eying everything. I almost miss Mom’s answer.

“What more is there to say about me other than I’m the mother to a beautiful ballerina?” Mom says with a bright smile. “Levar and I have always been so proud she’s been able to share her gift the way she has.”

“Aya is the best dancer I’ve ever seen.”

My cheeks warm at Massimo’s flattery. “There are many dancers who are better than I am.”

“She’s modest too,” he says.

Mom laughs, her dark eyes shining. She raises her glass. “I must say I’m truly pleased with how your union is turning out. I won’t pretend I wasn’t worried for my sweetie. But it seems you two have really fallen for each other.”

I avoid Massimo’s gaze for a second. He’s taken to raising his glass too, his undivided attention shifting onto me. The intensity of his affection permeates the space between us. An overwhelming reality on its own, let alone when I’m keeping secrets.

Mom’s watching me too. The shine no less bright in her eyes.

They’re waiting for me to raise my glass. I do after a slight pause, forcing a smile onto my face.

“To this holiday with loved ones,” Mom says.

Our glasses chink against one another before we take our sips.

Each of us rides a different wave as we do. Mom’s triumphant and eager. Massimo’s satisfied and calm. I’m a bundle of ever-increasing nerves as the night wears on.

We eventually move into the den, where Christmas music trills in the background and the massive tree glitters. We do a small exchange of gifts. Since I had no clue she would be visiting for the holiday, I have nothing to offer Mom, but Massimo’s thought ahead.

“This is truly gorgeous,” she gasps, sliding the top off the jewelry box. She holds up a pair of emerald earrings that sparkle in the light. “You two shouldn’t have.”

I tip my head up at Massimo and murmur, “I can’t believe you put my name on the gift tag.”

“Husband and wife. What’s a gift from me is a gift from you.”

“That’s conveniently in my favor this time, so I won’t complain.” I let out a soft laugh.

Mom gifts me with new ballet shoes. Massimo informs me that on top of my surprise visitor, he’ll be renovating more of the east wing.

“You need more space for your dancing,” he says, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “This house is your home, Aya. Which means it needs to reflect that.”

Mom gives Massimo a male cologne that she says made her think of him—the scent’s heavy on earthy and woodsy notes. Massimo’s reaction is polite, making it difficult to tell if he truly likes the scent or not.

I hold out a jewelry box of my own for him to take.
“I hope you like it…”

He spends a second taken aback. He’s not only startled by the gesture, but endearingly touched by it.

“Aya,” he says. “You got me a ring.”

“If I have to wear one…”

“Then I have to wear one too,” he finishes. A broad grin crosses his face.

We indulge in a tender kiss despite the fluttering nerves in my stomach. Mom waits until we’re separated to tell us how good we look together, but I’m not fooled—she’s really thinking about what’s to come in a few hours.

The night snowballs from there. Massimo and I share in a slow dance to soft music. He grips my small hand in his massive one and we sway around the room at a lazy, unhurried pace.

“This will be our wedding dance,” he says. “The dance I should’ve given you on our first night together.”

“It’s okay. This is just as special. Thank you for doing any of this, Massi. Christmas—any holiday—isn’t your thing, but you’ve let me put up all the lights and mistletoe I’ve wanted.”

“What can I say? You bring out a softer side in me.”

“Some would say they didn’t know it was possible for a man like you.”

“A beast,” he growls, and my smile widens. “What would you say?”

“I wasn’t sure either. But I always hoped it was.”

Once we turn in for the night, Massimo spends his time taking his medication and treatment. I wind down like I usually do, with a hot shower and some self-care.

The warning look Mom had given me replays in my head as I splash my face with cleanser and secure my hair with pins.

When I’m certain he’s not looking, I sneak into the closet and check my luggage to ensure my things are still there—my real things zipped up in the luggage I brought so many weeks ago. Personal possessions like my personal documents and the snow globe Dad gifted me…

Massimo pats the space on the bed next to him when I emerge from the bathroom. I crawl on and settle beside him.

“Today was good. We should do this each year.”

My heart aches. I give a nod. “Yeah… that sounds wonderful…”

“What is it? You’re upset about something. I can always tell. You get this sad frown on your face like a kitten.”

I’d be amused if I weren’t weighed down by the conflicted feelings swirling inside of me. It seems I’m destined to be put in difficult situations where I’m forced to make impossible choices that have no win.

The burden feels unbearable on my shoulders. I close my eyes and curse Mom for doing this to me again—making the safety and survival of our family hinge on my actions.

It’s a responsibility no daughter should ever have. Yet it’s how my parents have maneuvered throughout their time dealing with Salvatore and the D'Angelos.

But, for as much as I’ve fallen for Massimo, can I subject him to our mess? Mom is right when she says they’ll come for him harder than ever.
They’ll punish Dad. They’ll likely kill him…