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“Tell me this. What’s changed from that night? Other than the fact that I’m dating someone new, what has changed?”
“Nothing.” My whole body deflated at the realization that she was right, but it didn’t change the desire I’d held onto for so long. I’d fought it for years but one taste at Teo’s reception was all it took for me to lose my self-control.
“Exactly. So, who I date is none of your concern.”
“But you can’t seriously be interested in someone like Costa.”
“Let me go, Luca.” She shoved me back enough to free herself and walked toward the door without another word.
Panic filled me as she walked away, slipping away for what I feared to be the last time. “Tell me. You can’t be serious about him.” My voice rose in desperation as Mira walked away.
Chapter 4
Mira
The moment that I reached my car, the dam holding back my tears broke, sending tears flooding down my face. I quickly unlocked my car door and jumped inside, barely managing to stifle the sobs long enough to shut my door so no one would hear me.
I was a Venturi and while I was away at Harvard that might not have meant much to most people, back in my hometown, we were almost like some modern royal family. If I'd burst into tears back in Cambridge, the worst to happen would be glances from a few passers-byers but at home, it was possible that I could end up in a newspaper or tabloid.
The men had it easier. Everyone knew what they did for a living and feared them enough not to hassle them. If they did happen to end up in the paper, the publisher knew not to post anything about their illegal dealings. But some people seemed to have a strange fascination with the so-called mafia principessa.
The last thing I wanted was to have to explain to my father or brothers why I was crying in our office parking garage.
I wiped away my tears and tried to pull myself together enough to drive home but as I drove down the road toward the compound, the tears continued streaming down my face.
I'd had a crush on Luca since I was a child. He'd only seen me as his friend's little sister, a kid who liked to tag along with her big brothers whenever she could. I wasn't sure when that had changed.
He'd done a good job of hiding any attraction he had for me until Teo and Mia's wedding reception.
"They finally pulled it off," Luca said, sneaking up on me while I people-watched from my spot, leaning against the bar. I glanced at him for an explanation, and he jutted his chin in the direction of Teo and Mia as they talked and laughed together.
I nodded in agreement while taking in the happy couple. "They look so happy."
"I'm glad. After everything they've gone through to get here, they deserve some happiness."
I nodded wistfully and took a sip of my wine. "She's good for him."
"I like Mia. I'm glad he found someone who makes him so happy. I just hope she doesn't let him get away with all his shit." I chuckled and Luca laughed a deep, boisterous laugh that made me smile.
"To the bride and groom." Luca lifted his glass of whiskey. "May they live a long and happy life."
I lightly clinked my glass to his and we both took a drink.
"You wanna dance?"
"Dance?" I asked in surprise.
"Yeah, you know, that new-fangled thing those people over there are doing where you move your feet to the rhythm of the music." Luca seemed lighter than usual. He'd clearly had a few drinks already, as had I.
I laughed. "I know what dancing is. I didn't know you did much of that."
"Oh, you have been gone too long, principessa. Come on. Let's cut a rug."
Luca sat his glass on the bar and took my hand. I barely had the chance to put down my wine glass before he dragged me out onto the dance floor.
"Cut a rug? Just how old are you?" I teased as we stopped in the middle of the dance floor.
"Just a few years older than you."
