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“Of course.” She moves across the room and grabs a jug of water from the bar, then fills my glass for me.
“Would you like some ice with that, Miss Lane?” Raoul stares across at me with the harsh, punishing expression on his face that makes my pussy flutter, and I feel my cheeks heat.
“I don’t want to be any trouble.” I almost choke on my own voice as I look at the housemaid and smile.
“No trouble at all, is it, Berta?” Raoul answers for her.
“I’ll get you some right away.” She leaves the room and as the conversation around us continues, I feel Raoul’s eyes strip me apart like a predator about to strike.
“So, Evelyn, you must tell us what you have been up to. How is your mother these days?” Mrs. Burlusconi asks.
“She’s great, living in New Mexico, and working in a restaurant. I’m living here in the city. I have a little studio where I do freelance photography.”
“You should see her pictures, Daddy, they’re incredible, Evelyn has this way of capturing—”
“So why are you here, did you run out of money?” he talks over the top of her, uninterested in what she has to say.
“I just missed home. I’ve been doing well, and when I told my professor about what happened to Rhett, he said I should take some time. I never came home during spring break. I thought you’d all be missing me.” Wow, the girl really is a fantastic liar.
“Of course we’ve missed you, it’s great to have you home.” Her mother squeezes her hand. “Where did you say you were staying again?” Her mother takes a nervous sip of wine.
“Claude’s, of course. He sends his love to everyone, especially you, Rhett.” Vi winks at her brother across the table.
“In fact, me and Evelyn are going out with him tonight.”
Raoul drops his fork onto his plate and I almost choke on the water I’m swallowing.
“We are?” I turn my head to look at her.
“Yes, his friend is performing in a bar downtown and I said we’d go for support. I’ve already cleared it with Ludo, did he not tell you, Raoul?” Vi looks at her brother for a reaction as I readjust my posture and wish I was dead.
“Seems Ludo doesn’t inform me of much these days.” He pushes the words from his mouth tightly and I see the tension in his jaw, as his fingers clutch his cutlery.
“This pasta is really good, I’ve missed home-cooked food.” Vi changes the subject sweetly.
“You’ve been living in Rome, how can you complain about the food?” Rhett points out.
“Which bar?” Raoul asks sharply, interrupting the new subject Vi’s attempted to make.
“Dante’s Den, why? Do you want to come? I never had you down as a fan of house music.” I can tell from the mischievous look on her face that Vi is enjoying this far too much.
“Ludo isn’t paid to chase you around the city, Violetta, maybe we have Niko or Lukas take care of you tonight,” Mr. Burlusconi tells her.
“Or maybe you don’t go at all,” Raoul shrugs, pulling a frown at the same time.
“You’re being an asshole,” Vi points out.
“Please, we have a guest, and I don’t get my family together often,” their mother pleads.
“You seem tense, Raoul, is there something wrong? Perhaps you are getting nervous about your upcoming wedding. How is Briella?” Vi is taking this too far, and I swear I can see a vein that’s appeared from nowhere throbbing in Raoul’s temple.
“Ah yes, I hear Briella is coming into town in a few days. I met with her father last week. I think our anniversary party would be the perfect time for the announcement,” Raoul’s father picks up the conversation. It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile since I’ve been here.
“What a fabulous idea, Carlo.” Mrs. Burlusconi claps her hands together. “Everyone will be here, it’s a perfect time.”
“I won’t be here,” Vi points out, but no one seems to acknowledge her.
“Do you remember Briella, Evelyn? I’m sure you met when you were younger?” Mr. Burlusconi asks me directly.
