Gabriela tips her chin up as she looks down her nose at me, and the action makes the diamonds in her ears sparkle in the low light of the kitchen. Her dark hair is swept up in a low chignon, paired with a demure pastel pink gown. She’s the epitome of the perfect Italian wife, and I’m once again reminded that although Rafe may claim me as his, I’ll never be more to him than a mistress.
His glorified whore.
And my heart shreds in my chest because I’d allowed myself tohopefor something more.
Stupid, stupid,stupidgirl, Rivers.
“Tonight is the night our engagement will finally be announced.” Gabriela examines her pastel pink nails as she guts me with her words before she raises her eyes to mine. “I just thought someone ought to let you know before you make acompletefool of yourself.”
Chest tightening, I slap my palm over it, rubbing harshly to ease the burn as I nod to Gabriela. “I-I apologize…I didn’t know?—”
My words cut off as I try to inhale, suddenly feeling like I haven’t got enough oxygen in my lungs. As my breaths come short and labored, it feels like my heart is about to explode when I move past Gabriela toward one of the doors that lead onto the decking outside.
Cool night air fills my lungs when I stumble past several sun loungers, kicking off my heels as I go. The dewy grass of the lawn grounds me, and I continue to walk, zeroing in on the labyrinth of roses.
The quiet solitude of the rose-covered pavilion that I’d discovered at the center calls to me, and I quicken my step.
My blood is humming in my ears as I enter the tall hedgerows, and I slam my eyes closed against the onslaught of tears.
“Ciao, Tesoro.”
I grind to a halt when I hear a rough masculine voice at my back, and I hold my breath as I pivot, instantly recognizing the man behind me as one of Rafe’sSoldati.
Time seems to stand still for a moment until he smirks.
“It would be such a shame to end your life without sampling the blonde pussy that’s got everyone so worked up.”
My spine stiffens as he rushes forward, lunging for me, but I throw an elbow into his cheek. The move disorients him enough that I can run blindly into the labyrinth as he laughs sadistically.
“I love it when they fight.”
RAFE
Benito sitstall in the wing-backed armchair opposite mine as he slowly blows out the smoke of his Gurkha. His eyes are narrowed, and fury flows off him in waves when he speaks.
“You disrespect me and my family when you flaunt your mistress throughout your engagement party, Rafael. I’m not altogether sure that I can overlook the slight…”
He trails off pointedly, clicking his fingers at his only son, Vincenzo. “Find Gabriela and bring her to me.”
Vincenzo looks at me with a curled lip, disgust apparent in his hard stare before he slips from the room, leaving just me and his father in the mostly unused library.
We regard one another for a long beat until I rise and walk to the drinks cabinet. I hold up a tumbler in silent question, and Salvatore nods sharply in answer.
Having quickly made up our drinks, I pass him a glass, sitting back down and taking a sip. I swirl the amber liquid around the glass, watching it coat the sides before I raise my eyes to his and casually murmur.
“There will be no engagement, Benito.”
The other man flies to his feet, the whisky from his tumbler splashing over the sides and onto the wooden library floor beneath his feet.
“How fuckingdareyou dishonor me and my family this way.” He strides closer, face florid. “Therewillbe an announcement tonight, or so help me?—”
“There will be no announcement tonight…orever. Of that, I can assure you.”
Cheeks mottled, his body hums with rage as he bellows, “You pathetic excuse for a man, I’ll see you pay for this?—”
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out, Benito?”
My voice is low and deadly dangerous as I place my glass gently on the side table, but Benito is too far gone in his rage to hear it.
