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A polished bass cut through the foyer. “Leaving without saying goodnight, ladies?”

“It’s past my bedtime,” Nonna called out from deep in the closet as I risked a peep at the don.

The Killer King leaned casually against the curving banister of the grand staircase. He looked nothing like the boy who’d slid down the damn thing ages ago. His body was brutal grace, and those eyes sharp with a powerful look.

He canted his head. “You missed dinner, Rosetta. Are you feeling well?”

My throat instantly dried, and my voice came out cracked. “Sorry! Must have been something in my champagne flute.”

His dark brown eyes narrowed.

No…it’s not him. I was sure of it. Besides, he was wearing a sports coat. And he wouldn’t have missed his own dinner.

“You barely touched your food, Lucian,” Nonna cackled, tossing my worn eggplant coat to me.

I bunched it up, rather than put it on over the dress.

“And you’ve had too much wine, Uliva.” He slid his gaze back to me. “You’ll be cold, Rosetta.”

I muttered some excuse, too focused on the fact that he called her by her first name.

But of course he did. He was the don. He could do whatever the hell he wanted.

It’s not him!

Those dark eyes studied me.

“Come on, Rose,” Nonna teased. “Unless you’d rather stay?”

I spun on my heel, ripped open the door, and let the cold embrace me. It was a momentary relief from the insanity of Raven Manor. One that I very much needed.

Chapter 18 – Lucian

Imade the most of every interaction. It was only a matter of time before Rose discovered the identity of the man behind the mask. That gave me days to convince her that I deserved a chance.

I felt like a teen, walking up the salted driveway. My secret was going to come out. Rose was either going to slam the metaphorical door in my face or accept me for who I was. I took in the cozy little house.

I wanted more than anything to belong in her world.

The front door cracked, and a wisp of movement slipped outside. My heart skipped a fucking beat. She was coming.

Rose met me on the front porch. Her brand-new coat, the same eggplant shade as the old, was zipped to her chin, and the stocking cap pulled low to cover her ears. Skates dangled off the tips of her fingers as she eyed me.

“Loki said these were for tonight?”

I lifted mine in response. “Would you look at that? That cheeky elf left me a pair too.”

Rose’s mouth dropped open. “Did you just use the word cheeky?”

“So?” I questioned with a shrug. “Aren’t elves cheeky?”

“It’s just—” Rose gestured at me. “You’re a big, bad mafia dude.”

“Mafia dude?” I deadpanned.

“You’re a Ravello.” Planting her hands on her hips, Rose arched a brow. That look dared me to deny it.

“Very good, carina,” I murmured. “How did you figure that out?”