“Sorry to intrude, Farfalla, I wanted to let you know that the security team just finished the sweep.” Bruno adjusts his suit.
“Excellent.”
Bruno is the one who manages all the bodyguards and security protocols. He worked for my father until his death and was the only man my father trusted. Now he works for me.
“The guests on your list have all been cleared. There should be no surprises.”
Yet there are always surprises.
The kind that leaves blood stains under your nails and the grim reaper showing up at your door.
I take a deep breath and nod.
Bruno beams with pride. He’s a mountain of a man, gruff, but fiercely loyal. Now in his early sixties, his hair is more salt than pepper, styled in a military cut. His face is a map of scars, with a nick above his eyebrow from an old knife wound. He has been like a second father to me throughout my entire life.
“Allow me…” Bruno leans forward and adjusts my necklace. “The clasp was showing.” He takes a step back and looks me over one final time.
“Grazie.”
“The empire shines brighter under your rule, Farfalla.”
“And may it never dim, Bruno.” I place a hand on his arm as he opens the door for me.
Holding up a portion of my dress, I glide down the hall. A few feet from the stairs, I hear what sounds like a footstep. Stopping, I turn to my left, my gaze focusing on the dead-end corridor leading to the ballroom balcony.
It’s shrouded in darkness and shadows.
I don’t see anything.
Turning behind me, I watch Bruno melt into the darkness as he walks the other way down the hall.
I could’ve sworn I heard something.
“I was wondering when you’d show up…late to your own party,” a joking voice calls to me.
Looking ahead, I smile, the voice belongs to my cousin and underboss Matteo. He leans over the railing, a slight scowl on his face. A black tuxedo molds to his body and his curly hair is styled to perfection, but still has a wild look to it.
“You look beautiful,” he grins.
I can see in his eyes something is eating him up.
“Grazie. Now what’s wrong with you?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Matteo.”
His shoulders slump. “Sienna broke up with me.”
“What did you do this time?” I roll my eyes.
He gives me a look. “Why do you assume it’s me?”
“Because it’s always you.” I groan.
Matteo can be hot-headed and impulsive at times. Thank God I’m the one in charge and not him.
“This breaking up and making up is typical of both of you. Now is she coming to the party?”
