Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Despite doing my best to ignore the attention and trying to blend in, I’m sure everyone can see right through me. I’m not one of them. These people were raised with money. They wear it like a general wears his stripes on his sleeve.
At the bar, Saverio orders orange juice and brandy. He hands me the juice and downs his drink in one shot.
“Is everything all right?” I ask, watching him carefully.
He’s been tense ever since we left his house, but his jaw is set in an even harder line now.
“Yes,” he says in a curt tone.
His words from earlier come back to me, that claiming me as his is as much for my safety as for our public act.
I swallow. “Am I in danger here?”
His eyes soften. He forces a smile, but even that takes its toll if the strain etched on his face is anything to go by.
Cupping my cheek, he says, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I look beyond him to the guests milling on the lawn. Luigi and Giorgio aren’t among them. “Other people here may have different ideas.”
His pale blue gaze pierces mine. “They can try. I won’t let them succeed. Anyway, this is a wedding. The family has a strict code of conduct when it comes to significant events.”
“Meaning you don’t kill people at religious gatherings?”
His smile comes a little easier this time. “Religion has nothing to do with it.”
I open my mouth to ask what makes the difference when Dante appears next to us.
“Anya, how good to see you.”
He leans forward to kiss my cheek, but Saverio grabs his bicep and yanks him back viciously before his lips can touch my skin.
“Jesus, Sav,” Dante says with a startled expression. “You need to get a handle on your jealousy, man.”
I swear I can hear Saverio’s teeth clack together.
“Touch her and you’re dead,” Saverio says in a cold, harsh tone.
“Relax, buddy.” Dante raises his hands and takes a step back. “I’m off.”
This is so uncomfortable.
Shaking my head at Saverio, I say, “You’re behaving like a caveman again.”
He flashes me an unfriendly smile. “Dante knows the rules.”
“Really?” I prop a hand on my hip. “You have rules about how to greet each other’s girlfriends?”
Saverio’s voice is flat. “It’s simple. No touching.” Turning a frosty gaze on Dante, he says, “Therefore it shouldn’t be difficult to remember.”
Dante rubs a hand over his nape and pulls a face. “I feel sorry for you, Anya. My sincerest sympathy. However do you deal with this ass—” He cuts himself short with an apologetic glance at Saverio. “With this hardheaded mule?”
Saverio gives him a tight smile. “Are you done?”
“All jokes aside.” Dante pauses before asking in a meaningful manner, “How are you?”
From the way Dante searches Saverio’s face with a probing gaze, I have a feeling there’s more to that question. It’s almost as if Dante expects Saverio to be upset about something.
“Fine,” Saverio bites out.
“Good.” Dante studies Saverio from under his lashes. His tone takes on a cautious note. “Luigi sent me to find you. He wants the men to have a drink with Raphael before the ceremony starts.”
“A toast?” Saverio raises a brow. “You can go on without me. There’ll be plenty of time to drink to the newlyweds’ happiness after they’ve tied the knot.”
Dante shoves a hand in his pocket and balances on the balls of his feet. The stance seems relaxed, but like Saverio, he’s stressed. Tension emanates from him as he watches Saverio for a beat before saying, “It’ll send the wrong message if you decline.”
“That I don’t accept Raphael as one of us?” Saverio chuckles. “Here’s a newsflash. I don’t.”
“Come on, man.” Dante slaps his shoulder. “This isn’t the time. I share your sentiments, but you know how it works. Put your hostility aside for a few hours.” He continues with a smile aimed at me, “I’ll steal him away for a short while.”
Turmoil shows on Saverio’s features. His knuckles turn white around the empty glass in his hand.
“Let’s get this over with,” Dante says, stepping sideways.
A war battles in Saverio’s eyes as he looks at me. His internal conflict rages for a couple of beats before he seemingly comes to a decision and puts his glass down on the table.
Not breaking our eye contact, he says to Dante, “I’ll be right there.”
Dante doesn’t appear convinced, but he gives a single nod and wanders off to the end of the terrace before disappearing into the house.
Wrapping his broad palm around the back of my neck, Saverio pulls me closer. I stare up at his face. Our bodies aren’t touching, but the hairbreadth of space between us is charged with electricity. Goosebumps run down my arms.
“Will you be all right?” he asks, holding my gaze with his signature intensity.
The answer slips in a breathless whisper from my lips even though I don’t mean it. “Yes.”