By Fate I Conquer (Sins of the Fathers, #4)

by Cora Reilly

“For the same reason she bothers with us,”

“One of these days we’ll lure you to the dark side,” he said with a shrug.

“Happy birthday, by the way,” Nevio murmured.

“Happy birthday to you too,” I said with a small smile.

“Things got out of hand for birthday boy. Happy birthday, Greta.”

“There’s nothing cut off in there, right?”

They chuckled, but they had played that kind of prank on Mom and Kiara before. It hadn’t gone over well.

Two bunnies. One of them was a lop-eared breed, the other had longer hair, which was mostly matted.

“Back,” I ordered. I didn’t want to add to their stress level, which was why I didn’t try to pet them.

“You don’t want any bought gifts, so this is the best we could do.”

One room down there was devoted solely to the animals I saved and had food for almost every pet that might cross my path.

Though it wasn’t his specialty, he’d learned to treat pets over the years until a real vet could come over.

Emojis completely freaked me out.

Aurora was already inside, patting Bear. Momo hadn’t bothered getting up from the bed but Aurora went over to him for a quick cuddle as well.

“Nevio gave me two rescue bunnies as a present.”

“This might sound strange, but I’m not here because of me. I’m here because someone asked me to.”

“Amo?” she said as if she wasn’t sure if I knew the name. I didn’t say anything but my heart began racing.

“He got my number from Aunt Aria and called me fifteen minutes ago. It was all very strange. Well, he asked me to go to you and call him again. Is that okay?”

“Yes, she’s beside me. You’re welcome.”

“Happy birthday, Greta.”

Amo’s voice was deep, low and growly with sleep, and my belly heated unexpectedly.

“I know this might seem stalkerish but I simply had to wish you a happy birthday.”

“You remembered?”

“I know I shouldn’t say this, but I want to see you again.”

“I have a dance rehearsal in New York in a week that I wanted to cancel but I could go.”

“Come.” “Okay.” “There’s more I want to say, but I can’t do it over the phone. One week.”

“Don’t take Nevio w...

“Shouldn’t you have worried about that before you called her?”

At least from almost everyone, except for Nevio. For some reason she seemed unable to lie to him.

“What’s going on?” Her voice was hushed, shocked. “I don’t know.”

“Not even Carlotta or your parents, and definitely not Nevio. Swear it.”

“Greta—” A growl sounded, followed by a sharp shhhh

The bathroom door swung open and Nevio stepped in, messy bed-hair and only...

He paused with a coffee cup against his lips, eyes narrowing when he saw Aurora...

He handed me another cup of coffee and as h...

I caught Aurora checking him out with a look in her eyes I finally understood. It had never quite made sense to me, but since I’d met...

“I’m not into fire play,” he snarled.

“Happy birthday!” Aurora practically screamed at him. One corner of his mouth lifted in a dubious smile. “Thanks, Rory.” He reached out and ruffled her blond hair, then he left.

I worried she’d start crying. I wouldn’t know what to do then. Maybe call Kiara.

Nevio was better at reading people than me. Even if he didn’t care about their emotions, he filed them away in case he needed them.

He probably just chose to ignore Aurora’s crush because he wasn’t interested in her for various reasons and out of respect for Fabiano.

Amo sat in the second to last row, shrouded in shadows so I couldn’t see his expression.

I knew why Nevio and Dad had allowed me to come here.

Because they knew I’d never make the program. Nevio knew me better than I knew myself, every fear and every longing.

I knew his darkness and he...

How could one girl be so beautiful and graceful?

“But it’s your dream to dance. You just give up even though I could help you get a spot in Juillard if that’s what you really wanted.”

Dad would kick my ass. The Falcones probably too. Not to mention that it would look hella suspicious if I helped Greta. But she’d be in New York.

Dancing is my happy place, it gives me comfort and quiets the static in my head.

this girl in front of me made me weak in the knee looking like she did.