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Three
When Marco and I arrived in the grand ballroom, the Fourth of July gala was in full swing. Women in long gowns and men in tuxes danced to live music, waiters circulated carrying trays filled with food and drink, and everyone stopped and stared as we passed. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to be here?” I squeezed his bicep as he escorted me through the throngs of rich and powerful. “I mean, who wants to hobnob with Mrs. Murderer?”
“Red, calm down.”
I scoffed and gave a trio of older gentlemen a polite, tight-lipped smile. “I could be in pajamas eating pizza right now.”
“Or you could be here, helping the family put on a united front.”
We approached a table surrounded by Morettis, and I put on a bright smile. Aldo stood huddled with Nicki, neither looking particularly happy, but that was nothing new. Mickey sat next to an absolutely gorgeous blond woman. His attention was locked on his phone while she looked around, tapping her long decorative nails on the table. Joey Moretti, a cousin from the other side of the family, delivered a drink to Rosa and smiled at Adriana, apologizing for not bringing her one.
“Joey,” Marco commanded, and boy, did Joey hop to.
“Excuse me,” Joey murmured to the ladies, and then he joined us. “Marco, Sasha.”
Marco smoothly untangled our arms and took a step toward Adriana. “Take Sasha to get a drink, and then come find me.” He gave us his back and joined Adriana and Rosa’s conversation.
“Such a charmer,” I muttered to Joey, and he laughed.
“He really has a monopoly on the family charisma.”
I looped my arm through his and started to walk toward one of the well-stocked bars. “Let’s get that drink.”
We ordered, then waited for our drinks in comfortable silence. As the COO of Moretti Properties, Joey had been in a few meetings regarding the casino project, but beyond that, we hadn’t spoken much.
As the bartender set drinks in front of us, a familiar voice said, “Sasha?”
My fingers tensed around the cocktail glass as my eyes slid shut. “Dimitri,” I groaned.
Joey positioned himself between us, not letting Dimitri within a foot of me. Still, Dimitri kept talking like there wasn’t a whole human between us. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Well, here I am.” I took a huge gulp of my gin and tonic, turned, and gave him a flat look.
“Are you okay?” His eyes darted to Joey and back to me.
I cackled and took a step away from the bar. “Just fine. My husband was arrested on my wedding day for something he didn’t do, but hey, whatcha gonna do?”
Dimitri frowned but said nothing. What could he say?
I touched Joey’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“Sasha—” Dimitri reached out to me.
“No, Dimitri. Leave it.”
Joey ushered me away, and I caught the hoity-toity people near the bar smirking as they looked away.
“He’s a bold one.”
“Sometimes.” I glanced over my shoulder, and Dimitri was still standing there, staring as we walked away. I hated it, hated him, and hated how everything about our easy friendship was shot to shit because of family vendettas and secrets.
“Good way to wake up dead,” Joey said as he pulled out a chair for me. I frowned up at him, and he winked, leaving me with Adriana and Mickey’s date.
“What was that about?” Adriana whispered.
“Dimitri.” I jerked my chin to where he stood, only now Daphne was at his side, a scowl on her face as she glared my way.
“Those two better look away before they lose their eyes.” Adriana popped an appetizer in her mouth like she hadn’t threatened bodily harm. She might not have been born a Moretti, but you’d never know it.
