Page 121 of Vow

“A welcoming present,” she echoed.

“That’s what I said.”

“That’s an expensive way to welcome someone.”

Dante laughed, and gestured at the chandelier hanging over the table. It was the size of a small car, for fuck’s sake. Haven hadn’t gotten to see very much of the mansion since she arrived, but what she had seen was enough to tell her that the Marcellos were vastly wealthy.

“I think we’re financially okay to let you use the jet,” Dante said.

“But you don’t have to.”

“Have to and should are not the same things,” he returned, “and if it were my mother, I would move heaven and hell to make sure she was comfortable and happy. Which would absolutely mean having her children there.” The man gave her another serious look, adding, “No thanks needed, please.”

Haven opened her mouth to do just that anyway—she had the distinct feeling that arguing with Dante was going to get her nowhere fast—but someone else called her name. This time, it was a familiar face.

Catherine, Andino’s cousin.

“You want a tour of the place?” Catherine asked.

“Yes, let’s do that,” the girl next to her said.

Cella, maybe?

There were a lot of Marcellos.

Haven looked to Andino, and already found him staring back at her. Of course. He’d not once looked away, and her whole body knew it.

“Have fun,” he said, smiling lazily. “I’ll find you.”

There was something sinful in the way he said that. Something that promised fun and wickedness. It had been far too long since she got a taste of sin from this man.

Haven didn’t get to think on it for long.

The women pulled her up from the table, and were already talking about the mansion before Haven could say goodbye. She did manage a quick glance over her shoulder, though.

Andino watched her leave, too.

NINETEEN

“Thank you.”

Dante peered down the table at Andino, and silence blanketed the room. Andino was acutely away of the eyes of their remaining family members turning on him and his uncle. He’d wondered, after the things he did and the shit he said in the office earlier, how this night would shake out for Haven.

But he especially wondered about his uncle, and how Dante might treat her. Oh, sure, he expected his uncle to be nothing less than respectful. That was just who the Marcellos were. That didn’t mean Dante would actually make an effort to ensure Haven was comfortable, and entirely welcomed into their folds.

That had been a toss up.

Dante surprised him.

“For what, nipote?” Dante asked.

“What you just did for her. She didn’t want to accept it; she isn’t the type. You didn’t have to do that at all, so yes, thank you.”

Dante lifted one shoulder, and reached for his glass of cognac. “Do make sure you are on quite a few of those trips with her. I am sure her parents would like to meet the man who has effectively changed all of her plans, huh?”

Smooth.

Andino chuckled. “I planned on it.”