My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 25

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He raised the glass high.

"To the Capone men," he said, "I am a man with many sins, but you six are my only truth. I love you more than anything in this world."

Then, Vincenzo reached for his glass. He looked at Adriano, then the rest of us, a silent order in his eyes. Slowly, one by one, we followed. We didn't say a word. We didn't smile. We just lifted our glasses an inch, a cold, hard acknowledgment of the blood we shared.

Then the slow music started playing. Vincenzo took Claire to the floor, and Adriano grabbed Maddie. Dad led Hazel to her seat because she looked like she was about to collapse from exhaustion, and then he turned and asked Gianna for a dance.

Dante disappeared into the crowd with his date, leaving Luca, Silvio, and me at the table. We were fine just sitting there until Adriano’s phone buzzed. He checked the screen, his face turning serious, and he walked off to take the call.

Before I could even blink, Madeleine was standing in front of me. She didn't ask, she just grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the floor. I didn't have a choice. I followed her into the middle of the crowd, I couldn't help but smile as we started to move. She was such a tiny little thing, even with those high heels on. It was honestly kind of adorable how small she looked next to me.

The music slowed down, getting deeper and the floor was crowded, and the lights were dim. It was time for the switch. It was a tradition at these big family parties, you swap partners and keep the circle moving.

I let go of Maddie and stepped toward Claire. She was glowing, her belly big with my brother’s kid. I reached out and took her hand gently, sliding my other arm around her back to support her.

"Careful there, big guy," Claire teased, leaning her weight into me as we moved slowly, "Don't step on my feet. I can't see them anymore."

"I got you, Clairie. You’re safe with me," I held her with a kind of soft respect I didn't show anyone else in the world.

Then it was time to switch again.

I softly spun Claire and she left my space, someone else was pushed toward me. She stumbled slightly, her heels catching on the floor. I reached out and caught her by the waist to stop her from falling. My hands landed on the silk of that pink dress, and a jolt of heat went straight up my arms.

It was Gianna.

My step sister.

She crashed into my chest, her small hands flying up to hit my shoulders to steady herself. Her eyes widened, the green in them flashing like a warning light. She looked up at me, breathless and trapped, her face just inches from mine.