Chapter 76 - 78
I reach for my bags, but Silas intercepts me, his hand cutting through the air in a swift, commanding motion. Without a word, he takes my luggage, shouldering the weight I’m ready to bear alone.
Luciano is the first to fold, pulling me into a firm hug that lingers longer than expected. He pulls back with a faint smile, and dad steps in next, granting me his approval in the form of a brisk but solid embrace.
Silas stays silent, his grip on my suitcase steady as he escorts me to the car. The driver emerges, dressed in crisp black, opening the trunk to stow my luggage and leaving Silas and me a moment to ourselves.
"You’re sure about this?" Silas asks, his gaze searching mine.
"If you’re not, why let me go?" I counter, tilting my head to meet his eyes.
"Nothing good comes from holding on too tightly," he says, his voice softening, a rare vulnerability creeping into his words. "Not even on your baby sister. Who will always be the little bastard who cried over me spilling coke on her yellow dress."
I punch his arm, and he stumbles back with a grin, feigning injury.
"Spilled? You threw the can at me! And it wasn’t just any dress—it was my favorite dress!"
His laughter trails behind him as he retreats toward the house.
The driver opens the back door of the SUV, ignoring the discomfort flaring between my legs as I slide into the backseat, and the driver closes the door behind me.
"Still walking funny?"
My head whips to stare back at Botan, looking back at me with curious amusement.