Page 57 of Aldo

“Well then,” she said, smiling brightly, the action so fake, even I knew it. “At least I am good in some capacity. Let’s go.”

I began to protest, but she opened the door and headed down the hall. I followed her, cursing myself. I should have told her another way. It was obvious she thought I was making up an excuse not to touch her. I looked at her as the elevator came, the door opening. I stepped in beside her, reaching for her hand. She let me take it, but there was no answering grasp from her fingers. Instead, her palm rested in mine, lax and unresponsive.

“Baby,” I began.

“No,” she replied. “You don’t dance. No big deal. Drop it.”

“I am really awful. I don’t want to risk hurting you.”

“That’s the theme of the day, isn’t it?”

The elevator opened, and another couple stepped on, halting our conversation. When we arrived on our floor and the door opened, Vi spied Nonna V and went over to say hello. Roman caught my eye, and I went to help him. When I looked over my shoulder, Vi was walking away with Nonna V, not even sparing me a glance.

I would have to talk to her later.

VI

The room was breathtaking, lit with hundreds of candles and decorated with flowers and ribbons in a soft peach color. The tables were set with fine linens and china, and the dance floor expansive and gleaming under the huge chandelier over it. The other half of the room was set up with an altar, the chairs in neat rows, waiting for the ceremony.

Aldo had told me it wasn’t a large wedding, but a hundred people seemed large to me. He also told me most were from her side and that Luca’s were mostly business-related, with a few friends added to the list. Looking around the room, I had a feeling there were a lot of powerful men here. I knew Luca and Justine were already married, but the invited guests didn’t know that. It was something only family knew.

And me.

I wasn’t family.

I had no idea what was going on with Aldo. He had been tense the past few days. Withdrawn and quiet. And as I pointed out, he hadn’t touched me since the incident. Oh, he cared for me, helped me bathe, rubbed medicine onto my skin, and dropped gentle kisses to my head and lips, but nothing else. I turned to Nonna V. “Is it true Aldo doesn’t dance?”

She grimaced. “He is terrible. I tried to teach him. He stepped on my toes so often, I had to stop.”

“Oh.” Somehow hearing her confirm it helped.

“Roman loves to dance. So does Luca. Aldo, not so much. He said something?”

“Yes. He said no dancing.”

She chuckled. “Probably for the best. Your feet will thank you.”

“Ah.”

“Roman will dance with you. He will dance with me and with Justine. Then he will escort me to my room.”

“You don’t want to stay?”

She looked mischievous. “By the time the men speak, it will be late. The hot air in here will be unbearable.”

I covered my mouth as I laughed.

“Roman and Luca will be short. Her side, I think not. Make sure you have a drink close at hand.”

I nodded sagely.

A moment later, Roman appeared to escort Nonna V to her seat. He smiled at me. “You look beautiful today, Vi.”

“Thank you. You clean up pretty well—for a gangsta,” I added with a whisper.

He chuckled and led Nonna toward the front of the chairs. Aldo stepped up, crooking his elbow. I took it, smiling at him. He wasn’t lying about dancing. The rest, we’d have to address later, but this wasn’t the time. He smiled back, looking handsome, and took me close to the back, leaving a chair empty. “For me,” he instructed.

“Okay.”