A Sinner's Promise (De Bellis Crime Family, #1)

by Kylie Kent

“You’re already a part of our family, El,” Gabe tells her. “I know, but it’s not official yet. Do you know I love Gio? Like not a little bit, but a lotta bit. I think I’ll marry him before someone like Ms Natt tries to steal him from me,” Ellie says. I should pick her up and take her to our room, especially since my brothers are getting way too much entertainment out of her drunken honesty. “Ellie, no one is going to steal me from you. I’m yours,” I remind her. “You are?” She gasps and appears generally surprised by that information. “Mine? Like I can keep you?” she asks in the most adorable voice I’ve ever heard come out of her mouth. “When I was little, I found a puppy and took him home. He was so cute, Gio, but my mum wouldn’t let me keep him.” “Nice, bro, you’re being compared to a lost dog.” Marcel laughs. “Oh, no, Gio is much better than a puppy… especially when he does that thing with his tongue where he⁠—” I bend over and pick her up. “Okay, we’re going to bed now,” I say before walking out of the room with Ellie in my arms. “Oh, come on, we were just getting to the good part,” Gabe calls after me as the rest of ʼem laugh at my expense. The sound has me glancing over my shoulder, because for the first time in months, I see Santo crack a smile. I don’t think Ellie will ever know how grateful I am to her for that. When I get to the bedroom, I finally set her down on her feet. “Are you going to do that thing with your fingers? Or your tongue? Or your, you know, other ...