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We’ve done everything expected of us. We’ve cut the cake and had our first dance. I’m quite content to stay where the fuck I am and watch on from the sidelines.
“Where have you been?” Rocco questions.
Our little brother smirks. That’s all we need to know. He’s found a woman and a secluded spot and fucked her. That’s the way he usually is. Hell, once upon a time I’d have been the same. But things change and shit happens. Now, I’m staring at my wife, wondering what the hell I’m going to do. Watching her look so timid in Lorenzo’s arms has me wanting to snatch her away from him. But I don’t. Instead, I keep my legs planted where they are and just watch.
The song changes, and I take a steadying breath when Lorenzo releases her. She flashes him a bright smile and moves away. Instantly, she’s swarmed by her girls. Portia and Nell. Both women were her bridesmaids and both women know exactly what’s going on between Teagan and me. My wife has been spilling secrets, if the glares from her friends are anything to go by.
Teagan walks toward me, both girls at her back. The server comes around and I reach for a glass of champagne, just as Teagan does.
“Come on, Tee,” Nell says, pulling at her hand. “Let’s dance.”
Teagan smiles and places her glass down on the table behind me before returning to the dance floor. It doesn’t take long before Jade and Ade join them. For the first time today, it seems as though the women are having fun.
“Jade’s upset,” Rocco says quietly. He nods his head for us to move away from the crowd that’s close by. I leave my glass beside Teagan’s and follow him. “She won’t tell me why, but it has something to do with Teagan.”
I glance back at my wife, who’s got a bright, beaming smile on her face, then turn back to my brother. “I have a feeling that the two have met before.” When Jade walked into the apartment the morning of the engagement photoshoot, I sensed anger and animosity on Teagan’s part, and it felt as though it wasn’t the first time either had seen each other.
“Yeah, I get the same. My wife is extremely open with me, but not about Teagan. No matter what I do to coax it from her, she’s not saying anything.”
Glass shatters, and it’s quickly followed by a loud thud. My brows knit together at the sound. But before I can say anything, a loud, shrill scream rents the air.
I turn to the high-pitched scream and see one of the Irish men on the floor, his body twitching as foam seeps from his lips.
“Ros?” Jade says as she hurries toward him, dropping to her knees to help once she’s at his side.
“Christ,” Rocco growls. “What the fuck happened?”
My gaze goes to the table, where mine and Teagan’s glasses were. One of them has gone. Ros is twitching beside the table, his entire body shaking with the force of the fit he’s having.
Niccolò leans down over Ros, a hand on his shoulder to try and keep him in place. He inhales deeply, his nostrils flaring. “He’s been poisoned,” he tells us.
I turn to Lorenzo and Emiliano. “Find me the server who gave Teagan and I the champagne,” I snarl, knowing damn fucking well that the glass Ros drank from was one of ours and there’s no way it’s coincidental that the server came directly to me and my wife.
Both men move quickly, their expressions hard. They know exactly why I want the server.
“I’m taking Ade and your nonna home,” Hayden says through clenched teeth. “I’m not having my wife accidentally drinking something meant for you.”
I nod. “Go,” I say, needing to ensure that Ade is safe. “Take Nonna with you for tonight.”
She spends her time between Rocco’s and Dario’s homes. But tonight, after this shit, I want her to be with Hayden and Ade. She’ll enjoy the time she gets to spend with Vivi-Anna.
“I’ll check in later,” he says, his gaze on his sister, who is holding Ros. The man has blood seeping from his lips, nose, and ears. He’s dying.
“Take care of my sister. Roc’s got Jade.”
He gives me a terse nod, and within seconds he’s got both Ade and Nonna and is directing them to the exit.
My gaze moves to Teagan. She’s paler than I have ever seen, her eyes wide and her lips parted as she stares at Ros in horror. She turns to me, and I hold out my hand. She doesn’t even hesitate; she moves quickly, clutching at it as she turns away from the scene in front of her.
“You do not leave my side,” I instruct her. I’m not having anything happen to her. I need to find out what the fuck happened and who the hell is trying to kill me.
“Is he dead?” she breathes, her body trembling against mine.
I wrap my arm around her, keeping her shielded from Ros' lifeless body. “Yes.”
She shudders against me. “What happened?”
“I’m unsure,” I lie. “Just don’t look.”
