Trapped (Sinners of Boston #5)

28. Delilah

TWENTY-EIGHT

DELILAH

A zipping noise startled me awake.

I blinked, pushing the sheets back. I’d been in the middle of a strange dream, so it took a moment for my eyes to adjust. The rustling came from the other side of the bed. I rolled over, watching Santino bent over his suitcase. He stuffed it with clothes, packing as though his life depended on it.

“Are you wearing jeans?” I asked.

He shoved my bra into his suitcase. “I need you to get dressed.”

“What’s the matter?”

He glanced at me. “Nothing.”

“You’re making a lot of noise for nothing.”

“We’re going home,” he said, cramming my toiletries bag into the suitcase.

Home?

A brief flash of Providence entered my head, but that hadn’t been home in a long time. Maybe once when I was too young to understand neglect. No, Boston was home. It was where I’d turned my dreams into reality.

Santino patted my knee through the sheets. “Get up, baby. I wanna get out of here.”

“What’s the rush?”

“I’m starving, and there’s a good diner down the road.”

He squeezed my leg, the touch reminding me of last night. He must have finished inside me four times. Every time I suggested we take a break, Santino urged me on all fours or flipped me on my stomach and ate my pussy until I needed him inside me.

Men like Santino didn’t stop until they got what they wanted. I would get pregnant. Once that happened, his family would never leave me alone. I’d been at a few of his family gatherings, and Italians went nuts for babies.

Having his baby didn’t feel like an option. It felt like an absurd fantasy. No matter how many times Santino insisted differently, people like us couldn’t have a nice house in the suburbs and kids.

Grudgingly, I ripped the coverlet off my legs and got dressed. Santino hovered as I went through my skincare routine, his black gaze throbbing with impatience. He ushered me into the car. We zipped to a fifties-style restaurant by the highway, Santino drumming his fingers on the Formica table until the waitress took our orders.

His breakfast came on several platters—pancakes, eggs, bacon. A sugar, fat, and carb overload. I dug into my egg whites and oatmeal. For all her faults, my stepmother had been a good cook. Borscht with a dollop of sour cream, pelmeni, pirozhki, and the sweet, delicate layers of medovik cake. Russian cuisine was nothing like Italian.

Santino cut into the pancakes, stabbed a stack with his fork, and shoved them in his mouth. He devoured them with a single-minded intensity, ignoring everything around him. We’d been out to dinner before, but there was always an air of keeping up appearances. Both of us would be dressed to the nines. Santino shoveling down pancakes was almost endearing. Maybe with five other siblings, he had to learn to eat fast.

Santino frowned. “What?”

I smiled. “You really like your food.”

He continued eating, gesturing at my plate with his fork. “You should eat something more filling than that.”

I rolled my eyes but felt a warm flutter in my stomach. “Maybe watching you eat is enough for both of us.”

He grunted.

I propped my chin on my hand. “So where did you go last night?”

He hesitated. “Did you sleep well?”

“Nice dodge.” I winked at him. “Yeah, I slept fine.”

“Good.”

“I tried to stay awake until you got back, but I passed out.” I’d spent two hours staring at the phone, waiting for him. “Is everything okay?”

He nodded. “Yup.”

“Can you elaborate?”

Once again, he took forever before answering.

“My boss needed assurances, but we’re good now.”

I sipped my coffee. “So, he doesn’t want to kill me anymore?”

“If you stay with me, you’re safe.”

I sat back in the chair.

All I had to do was keep my legs open, and my face wouldn’t end up on the evening news. How nice. Dimitri was still out there, too, biding his time.

“We’re meeting my brother at his place for dinner later.”

“What should I expect?” I asked.

“Nothing fancy, just dinner.”

I sighed. “Alright.”

Santino took out his wallet. “Relax. It’ll be fine.”

Ribeyes sizzled on the grill. Santino and Kill drank beer, discussing the latest roster on his fighting ring, while Jack, Santino’s nephew, shrieked as he ran through a sprinkler. Santino caught my eye and winked.

I smiled, my stomach twisting in knots.

Violet exited the house carrying two drinks. She made a beeline for me, sliding the tall green drink into my hands. “Made you a virgin cocktail.”

“Thanks. That’s so nice of you.”

My cheeks flushed as I took it from her. Santino must’ve warned them ahead of time about me, but I appreciated that they didn’t give me a hard time.

“Thought I’d come by and check on you,” said Violet as she sank into the chair next to me. “How you holdin’ up?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

She smiled knowingly. “This family can be an adjustment. It took a few months before my mother-in-law warmed up. I just want to make sure you feel welcome.”

I clutched the drink. “Thanks, Violet. It’s a lot to take in, but everyone’s been really welcoming.”

She nodded. “It’s like walkin’ into a dance where everyone already knows the steps but you.”

I laughed. “Exactly. I was raised Russian. We’re very different.”

Violet’s nod was full of sympathy. “Oh, honey, I know that feeling. I’m from Tennessee, born and bred. You can probably tell from my accent. I stuck out like a sore thumb when I first got here. But being an outsider ain’t always a disadvantage. Gives you a way to see things others might overlook.”

“How did you manage to fit in?”

She sipped her drink, a thoughtful smile playing on her lips. “By not tryin’ too hard. I brought a little bit of the South up here with me. Santino and the rest, they came around. There ain’t nothin’ quite like Southern hospitality.”

Her chuckle was infectious, and I couldn’t help but join in. “Maybe I should start bringing a little bit of Russia into the mix, then?”

“Absolutely. This family is like a quilt. Every piece adds color. You’ll find your place, just you wait.”

Violet was just as much an outsider, yet essential to this family’s dynamic. “It’s about finding balance, isn’t it? Between where we come from and where we’re headed.”

“That’s right. And remember, if you ever feel out of place, just come find me. Us outsiders gotta stick together.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Violet winked. “Between you and me, it’s not all bad. Just wait until the holiday parties. They’re somethin’ else.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“I’m glad you’re getting along with Santino. He’s a decent man, just a bit intense. He’s had a tough life. They all have.” Violet paused as though deciding how much more to say. “When you’ve been through what they have, trust doesn’t come easily. You’re always waitin’ for the other shoe to drop.”

“I guess that makes two of us then.”

She reached out, touching my hand lightly. “Just give it time. He’s got his demons, sure, but he’s also got a good heart.”

The sound of laughter pulled us back to the present. Santino smirked at something his brother said, but he looked over again. His gaze found mine across the distance, and his smile broadened.

“Come on.” Violet stood, pulling me gently by the arm. “No use broodin’ over things out of our control, right?”

“Right.”

I allowed myself to be led while my mind raced.

Santino slid his arm around my waist. He kissed my cheek and frowned. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I smiled, sharing a look with Violet. “We were discussing how difficult Costa men can be.”

“And what’s the verdict?”

“She said patience is key, but I think I might need a little more than that.”

“You have everything you need to handle me, principessa.”

“Princess?” Violet burst, clinging to her husband. “That’s the cutest pet name. So much cuter than Bumpkin .”

His brother grinned. “It’s softer than what we’re used to hearing around here.”

“Oh, come on, baby.” Violet pouted. “It’s sweet. Makes a nice change from all the tough guy talk.”

Kill smiled. “You wanna trade it for something fancier? Maybe duchess?”

Violet rolled her eyes.

Santino dragged me away from them, his voice dropping. “Is that really what you were talking about?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You seem rattled.”

“I’m just nervous. Your family is different from mine.” I licked my lips as his eyes bored into mine. “They’re very nice.”

“You’ll fit in.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You seem pretty confident about that.”

“That comes with knowing what you want.”

“Which is what?” I whispered.

He smirked, his hand moving to my belly.

My heart pounded. “You really have a one-track mind, don’t you?”

“My little brother’s already got a leg up on me with a four-year-old and another on the way.”

“So it’s a competition?”

His grip on me tightened. “I want my own with you.”

“Are you that eager to start a family?”

“Damn right, I am. I’m always thinking about filling you up.”

My face flushed. “Jesus, Santino. Say that a bit louder.”

“I don’t care what anyone thinks.”

I pulled back slightly, trying to gauge if he was serious or caught up in the moment. I didn’t know what to do with him anymore. He had me constantly questioning my own sanity. Fighting him felt pointless. I couldn’t win against this maniac. All I could do was keep my eyes on the future. Build my business.

Santino’s arms trapped me in a cage of heat. Over his shoulder, I glimpsed Violet staring at us. She smiled and exchanged looks with her husband. We’d never be like her and Kill.

It bothered me.

I couldn’t build a life with a man who threw dollar bills in my face. Something deep inside me craved more. I deserved a man who loved me. Could I find that with Santino? Could I trust him to see me as more than a transaction? The fear of being used gnawed at me.

He didn’t trust me enough to tell me the truth. How could we ever raise a child? He threw out my birth control pills. And I was still fighting off the urge to drown myself in alcohol.

“I need a drink,” I muttered.

“It’s normal to have cravings.”

“I know, but what if I just had one?”

“You won’t stop at one. You know that.” Santino pulled back from our embrace, cupping my face. “Remember what the doctor said?”

“He said a lot of things.”

Warmth sparkled in his eyes. “You just have to make one decision—not to have that first drink. After that, it’s out of your control. It’s like handing your car keys to a lunatic.”

He was right. I just needed to hear it again.

I sighed, trying to steady my nerves. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember that when everything feels so overwhelming.”

“That’s why I’m here, principessa.”

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease.

We spent the rest of the evening enjoying the food and company. Santino and his brother shared stories from their childhood, and I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time.

As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the yard, we gathered around the table for dessert. Violet served homemade apple pie, its sweet aroma wafting through the air. We were all relaxed and content, and it felt like a real family gathering.

Just as we were finishing up, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out and saw a voicemail notification from an unknown number. My stomach twisted as I excused myself and walked a few steps away to listen.

Santino followed. “What’s wrong?”

“I think he sent me a message.”

His face darkened. “Play it.”

I hit the button, and Dimitri’s snarl erupted from the speaker.

“ You’re a fucking idiot if you don’t come back to me. I will hunt you down, and when I get my hands on you, you’ll beg for death. This isn’t over, bitch. ”