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At the mention of Luca’s one-time safety net turned boogeyman, the kid shuddered.
“Actually, he’s right over there. Maybe we should go and say hello?”
Dom turned Luca toward a crowded red carpet where gorgeous people in designer gowns and suits were entering the event and posing for pictures. Chef was standing at one end watching the latest arrival slink her way down the carpet: Caterina—Dom’s sister.
“I’d put your eyes back in your head if I were you,” Dom said as he reached Chef.
“Please. I’m just lookin’ out. Making sure none of these fuckers gets handsy, that’s all.”
“Sure you are.”
Caterina looked their way, smiling and giving a wave, but then her gaze landed on Luca. Even though their father did his best to keep her out of the loop when it came to business, she’d still know the main players—and with the way her eyes widened and she rushed over before reaching the end of the red carpet, she definitely knew something was up.
She didn’t even bother with niceties, completely ignoring Dom and Chef as she stopped in front of Luca and gave him a thorough once-over.
“A stranger in our midst?” she said as her intelligent eyes took in every inch of the man at Dom’s side. “That’s unusual. I’m Caterina, and you are?”
Dom smirked at his sister’s directness, her lack of subtlety a trait born out of too many years being kept on the periphery. Something he could understand and commiserate with right now. But this was one time she wasn’t going to get an answer to her question.
“He’snone of your concern.”
Caterina looked to Dom and raised a perfectly arched brow.
“It is good to see you, however, sister. You look lovely as always.”
She tossed her glossy waves over one of her shoulders. “Flattery does not forgive rudeness, Dom, but thank you. As for seeing me, I invited you to brunch just last week. You declined.” She looked back to Luca. “You wouldn’t happen to be the reason for that, would you?”
When Luca said nothing, merely stood there like the good, silent captive he’d been instructed to be, Caterina shook her head and glared at her brother.
“He can speak, I assume?”
Dom eyed the kid, thinking of the hundred and one questions he’d been asking since they met. “Yes, that’s definitely something he can do.”
Luca must’ve taken that as some sort of permission, because finally he spoke up.
“I’m Luca,” he said, and then blurted out, “Luca Davis.”
Dom balled his fist and bit back the impulse to tell Luca to shut it. This was exactly the kind of information he didn’t want his sister to know, because even though it was a lie, there’d still be news of Luca’s disappearance, and if she went on the hunt for that, their father would be pissed, to say the least.
This was a fucking disaster.
Chef cleared his throat and bumped shoulders with the kid, reminding him not to push it, and when Luca shifted closer to Dom, Caterina laughed.
“Seriously, Chef. If you’re not feeling well, you should’ve stayed home in bed.”
“Aw, it’s nothin’.” Chef rubbed a hand through his hair before slipping it into his pocket. “Just a little tickle. Plus, I get restless on my own.”
“Who said you had to be alone?” She aimed a dazzling smile in his direction. “I would’ve happily come and played nurse.”
Chef glanced to Dom, his eyes pleading for a way out of the conversation. Because Chef knew the rules, and number one was that no one looked at, or touched, Caterina Rossetti. Not if they wanted to keep breathing.
“We have to go,” Dom announced, scanning the crowds of people moving inside the casino doors. The sooner he got Luca away from anyone who might take a photo, the better. “Did you see which way Father went when he arrived?”
“He mentioned Mayor Whitlock. I imagine he’ll be with him. That is why we’re all here tonight, after all, right?”
“So it is. Then we’ll be on our way. Enjoy your night, sister.” Dom leaned in to kiss both her cheeks, and just as he was about to pull away, she placed a hand on his arm.
“Don’t think I can’t see the resemblance in him. What are you all playing at?”
Dom straightened and removed her hand. “As I said, it’s none of your concern.”
“Right. I’m just here to hobnob and mingle with high society. Nothing more.”
Dom gave her a grim smile, hating the frustration he heard in her voice, but yes, that was what she was there for, the surface show. As Dom took Luca’s elbow and turned them away from the crowds, he reminded himself of the reason he was there tonight—to show off the prize he held in his hand.
