Blurb :
Aldo:
It wasn’t supposed to happen-one reckless night that crossed every line I swore I’d never break. Getting caught tangled up with my best friend’s little sister? That’s a death wish.
Dawn was always off-limits. To me, she was just the pesky kid who got under my skin. But now? She’s all grown up-dangerously beautiful, and impossible to resist. One night changed everything.
Now, secrets are spiraling out of control. If her brother finds out, it could destroy more than just our friendship. But that’s not the worst of it.
Dawn disappeared.
Taken by shadows from a world I didn’t see coming. She’s in danger, and I’m the only one who can save her. They don’t know who they’ve messed with, but they’re about to learn.
I’ll risk it all to bring her back-because some lines aren’t meant to stay broken.
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Chapter 1
[Aldo]
“Yes I got it ma, okay, love you too.”
The distant sound of airplane tires screeching fades as Andre opens my car door. He throws his luggage into the backseat and pulls the front door open.
“My man,” he says, sliding in beside me.
“Andre, it’s good to see you.” We hug briefly before he kicks off his shoes and rolls down the window, rain misting through the opening.
“I never thought it possible, but I think you might have got a bit of a tan while you were up in New York,” I tease.
“Hot and muggy as shit up there,” he replies, fiddling with the radio.
“Don’t bother. Antenna’s gone. Some kids clipped it.”
He groans but grins, settling back as we pull away from the curb.
“I see your dad’s car still in the pushing,” Andre jokes, nudging at the antique floor mat.
I roll my eyes. “You know my dad’s been after me to trade this one in. But until it dies, it’s mine.”
Andre chuckles. “Stubborn as ever. Bet your mom’s thrilled.”
“She’s already planning a ‘surprise’ family dinner to guilt me into listening. You’ll probably get roped in.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” he giggles like a freaking school girl.
–
We head for my apartment, the rain a constant tap against the windshield. Andre lights a cigarette, the orange glow cutting through the gray haze outside.
“No place like home,” he says, exhaling smoke. “But man, it feels like everything’s changed.”
I glance at him. “You could say that. The Colombino and Russo merge shook things up. You know about that?”
“Of course. Everyone knows. Even the Bratva wouldn’t shut up about it.”
The mention of Russians makes me chuckle. “Ah, so you weren’t just in New York-you were in deep.”
“Nah,” he says quickly. “I didn’t mix with those psychos. Too much toe-cutting for my taste.”
—
The conversation shifts to lighter topics as we navigate the streets.
“So you work with Colombino’s now?”
I nod, remembering how proud Dad was when I decided against being a wise guy. “It’s a good job. Luca’s a good guy. Sophie’s a lucky girl.”
“And my sister’s getting all the benefits?” Andre laughs. “Bet she loves having a princess for a friend.”
“She’s good,” I shrug. “Better than Luca’s guys always pinching pennies. Still insists on paying her way.”
“Always did,” Andre mutters. “Still stubborn as shit?”
“Couldn’t say. I’m more involved with Luca now.”
“So, you’re his guy?” Andre smirks. “making you made man soon?”
“Not happening. But he’s fair-if he trusts you, you’re good.”
Andre nods. “That’s smart. Up north, no loyalty-just greed and backstabbing.” He pauses. “Ah well, it is what it is.”
By the time we hit my apartment block, Andre’s leaning back, letting the familiarity of home settle in.
“You’ve been looking after Dawn, yeah? Being hearing some stuff lately, I swear that girl needs to settle down,” he says as we park.
“She can take care of herself,” I say, shrugging. “But yeah, I keep an eye on her.”
Andre nods, his expression unreadable. “Thanks, man. I know I left her and Mom hanging when I took off. Just… thanks.”
“Don’t beat yourself up.” I hesitate, then smirk. “But you might wanna let her know you’re back before she finds out some other way. You know how she gets.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he mutters. “I’ll handle it.”
—
By the time I leave the apartment, my mind isn’t on Sophie and Luca’s kid’s birthday party. It’s on Dawn.
Andre’s words linger: “She needs to settle down.”
To me, Dawn was always the girl who ate glue and got into fights at school. But now?
Now she’s not that girl anymore.
Now she’s a woman.
[Dawn’s pov]
I sink onto a stool, grasping the little paper plate in my hand as a group of kids races past. It’s Michael Colombino’s birthday, and I’ve been helping Sophie out. By helping, I mean running the party while she tends to Michael and the other kids.
My heels are killing me. Why did I wear them to a kid’s party?
Still, their happiness makes it worth it.
Michael, head of his little pack, leads his friends around in their colorful cartoon outfits. Adorable.
Grabbing a mimosa from a passing waiter, I down it, appreciating the sweetness and cool relief. The sun dips lower. Almost time for the kids’ movie screening, freeing the adults for their own party.
Dodging one of the kids’ moms, I duck into the house, heading through the balloon-filled entryway to the driveway.
I bump into a brick wall-Actually, no, that’s not correct. A brick wall doesn’t wear a suit.
“Dawn, just the person I was looking for.”
I take a step back, his deep Italian accent washing over me, and my mouth snaps shut.
It’s Aldo.
“How’s it been going?” he asks, his face full of joy and his eyes full of fire.
“Well, you know how energetic Michael is. Times that by like twenty kids and give ’em sugar and candy.” I roll my eyes.
Aldo laughs, and it’s completely heartstopping. I’ve had a crush on him all my life. And he’s never once noticed me.
“I bet it’s been fun though,” he says. “Hey look, can you help me out real quick?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“This,” he indicates his suit. “Is what’s up. I was out-busy this morning, so I didn’t have time to iron my stuff. Can you help me with Sophie’s ironing wand thingy?”
I snort and take his hand, dragging him into the house. “Ironing wand thingy? How can you not remember the name? You were there when we bought it. It’s a garment steamer.”
“I just need to look respectable.” He jokes, and his grin lights me up too.
“What about your parents though? Sophie invited them” I ask.
“Out of town, probably on another wild adventure in the Himalayas” he replies and I snort, pulling him through the house and towards Sophie and Luca’s closet.
I stop us in front of an entrance from the hallway.
“So you were busy, huh? Had a late night?” I tease him about hooking up with girls constantly since he broke up with his ex. I know he’s been bummed about his break up with his ex, Lindsey, but secretly I’m not bummed about it at all.
“Uhhhh yeah, sure. Something like that,” he says.
My heart plummets a beat, and I wonder why I made the joke in the first place. His hooking up with others is the complete opposite of what I want. Not that I wanted him to break up with Lindsey. I just-
“I like your dress,” Aldo says. “You’ve never worn that one before.”
I come to a stop and look back at him. Huh? I knock on his head and look into his eyes. They’re dreamy, but I have to keep up my charade of him never suspecting my true feelings. “Is that the real Aldo in there? Knock knock?”
He laughs and pulls away. “I’m serious. You look pretty.”
My cheeks heat up, the blush creeping it’s way to my neck. “Well, thank you. No one else has complimented me on it today.”
“I dare say they’re all too young to be thinking like that.”
We find the steamer, and he shrugs off his shirt, muscles and tattoos on full display. I stammer through instructions, the heat in the room suddenly unbearable.
God, he’s gorgeous.
Aldo seems to revel in my discomfort, his grin mischievous.
I show him how to steam properly, trying not to melt under his gaze. “In to out,” I say, demonstrating.
“In or out?” he quips. “I prefer out to in.” His tone is unmistakable. He’s flirting.
I blush harder, coughing to break the tension. Aldo finishes his clothes, pulling on his shirt and jacket with deliberate care, his movements slow. Is he doing this for me? My mind races.
“Thanks, Dawn,” he says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “We should get back to the party.”
“Y-yes! I stammer, and he laughs, leaving me flustered and breathless in the closet.
What just happened? That heat-that tension-it wasn’t my imagination. I return to the party, watching him laugh with Luca, his boss. Then Michael runs up, and Luca lifts him over his head.
Suddenly, I’m picturing Aldo doing that-with our kid.
What the hell?