Page 19 of Deathless & Divided

Evelina shrugged. “Nobody.”

“Eve,” Lily pressed.

“Nobody, Lily, seriously. Better for us both that you don’t know.”

Damian was learning all kinds of new things tonight.

“What about Adriano?” Lily asked. “Is your father going to do the same thing to your brother?”

“I don’t know,” Evelina admitted. “We’re not … like we were way back when. And he’s just like our father sometimes. Plus, he’s got a dick between his legs, right? So, boys get to be in with it all. Completely different thing, I guess. Whatever. Anyway, enough of this sad shit. We’re supposed to be the fun ones. Talking about this isn’t fun and I was trying to point out that Dino did consider you for this.”

Evelina’s voice lowered, but Damian still heard her as he acted like the dancing, laughing people had all of his attention. “Damian’s a nice guy. And I’m not just saying that because he’s family, either. You’ve not been around for a long time. You don’t know him well enough to pass judgement.”

“You’re not the one being married off to him like a cow on the market, Eve,” Lily said sharply.

“I’d rather see you go to Damian Rossi than another man in the Outfit.”

Lily spat out a laugh. “You’re just saying that because it’s not you. Had your father or brother tricked you like Dino did to me, you would be pissed off like nothing else. All that rebellion you did on the down low would suddenly get a hell of lot louder. Deny it, Eve.”

Evelina didn’t bother trying to. “I’m already pissed at my father so that’s pointless. Listen, Damian is kind of quiet like you are and doesn’t like the spotlight. He used to hang out with your brothers when Theo was twelve or something. They’re the same age. Don’t you remember him at all?”

Lily’s face darkened as she passed another glance toward Damian. “Did he?”

“You really don’t remember?”

“No,” Lily said.

Damian surveyed Lily from the corner of his eye, noting how she chewed on her bottom lip in her curiosity.

“He was kind of like you guys.”

“How so?”

“You know, like being shuffled around from place to place, people to people. Just … you two might have something in common where that’s concerned. They’re not going to give you a choice, Lily, and obviously Damian agreed to the arrangement for whatever reason. It’s settled—your opinion bears no importance to them. I know it’s barbaric and ancient, but it’s going to happen.”

Damian’s unofficial fiancée grew silent like she was considering Evelina’s words and taking the warning for what it was. Unofficial for only a short while because soon word would pass about the murmurings of the agreement between the Rossi and DeLuca families. The Outfit loved gossip and the news would spread like wild fire. Since Dino wanted the wedding to happen before his trial, dinners like the boss had thrown today could be considered an engagement announcement and party.

“Maybe,” Lily finally said quietly. “I don’t have to like it, Eve.”

“Yeah, I know. You want another glass of wine?”

“Hmm, yeah, I think—”

Damian decided to step in and shut that idea down before Lily could agree. Dino would have a shitfit if Lily got any drunker than she already was. “Thanks, Eve, but she’s good for the evening.”

Lily glared over her shoulder at Damian still unbothered and still in his corner. “Excuse me?”

“That’s your fifth glass of wine, your eyes are drowsy, and your brother never was one for a drunk woman,” Damian informed like they were breaking bread over a dinner table. “While drinking probably seems like a good way to deal with this shitty night—I don’t blame you, honestly—I can bet you’ll regret it in the morning if you act like a fool and embarrass yourself and your brothers. You’re not that kind of woman, Lily.”

Damian gave a wide-eyed Evelina a charming smile. “Again, thanks, but no more.”

“All right,” Evelina said faintly.

Lily spun around and pressed her fisted hand to her hip. “Who in the hell do you think—”

Damian’s gaze cut to Lily and she quieted instantly. “I’m not saying it to be an asshole, Lily. Go on, drink yourself stupid if that’s what you want to do. You’re the one who’ll have to face these people again when you’re sober.”

Lily handed the wine glass to a stunned Evelina without a word.