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Could it be that I’m finding ways to challenge my fiancé and looking for reasons to be combative even to the point of breaking up? If I am, that reason is none other than Marco DeLuca. I douse that thought because I don’t want Rashida to suspect anything. I haven’t shared our two nights together with anyone.
“I would even be willing to help you,” she says, placing a hand on my arm.
“Really?”
“Yes, I would—”
“Honey, come here. I want to introduce the two of you,” Judge Parks says.
We turn and see him waving us over, and Kenneth is smiling a broad smile as well, waving me over.
My feet are firmly rooted in place as is my smile. I don’t fucking believe it.
All three of them are sexy, gorgeous men. One is beautiful, that would be Alessandro, and the twins are ruggedly handsome in a thuggish sort of way. The earring Marco wears in his right ear is not in place nor is the rope chain he usually wears around his neck.
Those two pieces of jewelry have been a consistent part of his attire since I’ve known him. Tonight, Marco looks like a different man; dangerously so. I’m familiar with every inch of his body, but most of that is covered tonight. He’s wearing a black suit with a bow tie. He has a cigar in his hand, and his dark brown hair is carefully smoothed into place and the errant loc that usually goes astray is missing.
He's staring dangerously at me, and I’m scared as hell that he’s about to ruin my night.
What the hell is he doing here? I’ve never known him to attend functions like this in the past. I can feel the fury seeping off him as we draw nearer to him.
His twin, Massimo, looks concerned, but Alessandro is smirking.
“Kenneth, this is Mr. Alessandro DeLuca and his brothers, Massimo and Marco DeLuca. Gentlemen, this is Kenneth Paxton, tonight’s guest of honor.”
They exchange greetings, but my eyes never leave Marco’s and his never leave mine. My heart is thundering loudly in my chest.
“Gentlemen, this is my fiancée, the lovely Piper Chambers,” Kenneth introduces me.
Somehow, I pull my eyes from Marco’s as I shake Alessandro’s hand first and then Massimo’s, saying to both men, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Alessandro is still smirking, but Massimo now looks even more concerned than before. Of course, they know who I am and what I was to Marco. Thankfully, they play along for my sake, but no one knows what Marco will do or say.
When I shake his hand, he grabs mine, turns it over, places his lips against my palm, and kisses it sweetly.
“Ma come sei bella! Piper, tu sarai mia.”
There’s a titter of nervous laughter all around us when he releases my hand, and Alessandro clears his throat while Massimo shoots a warning glare at Marco.
“What did you say?” Judge Parks asks.
“It was for the lady’s ears only,” Marco remarks in a reprimanding tone.
“It sounded lovely,” Mrs. Parks responds.
Kenneth is chuckling nervously by my side, but I can feel his anger.
“Well, Mr. DeLuca, should I watch my fiancée before you sweep her off her feet?”
Marco does not respond and keeps his gaze trained on me. I shift uncomfortably as Kenneth drapes an arm around my shoulder, and he, Alessandro, and Judge Parks talk about donations.
“Excuse us. I need to have a word with my brother,” Massimo says, nodding at the group as he plants a firm hand on Marco’s shoulder.
Marco glances at me one final time before leaving with his identical twin. Though they look exactly alike, they’re dressed differently and their mannerisms are completely different. Massimo was always the relaxed twin who was easygoing and mild-mannered. Although I believe, like the other brothers, he’s as dangerous. Fortunately, he’s not as quick-tempered as Marco, and his anger doesn’t seem as difficult to restrain as Marco’s can often be.
“If you gentlemen don’t mind, I’d like to share a dance with my fiancée,” I hear Kenneth finally say beside me.
I guess they have finished talking about donations, but I don’t know. Honestly, I haven’t been paying any attention since Marco said those words to me. I wonder what he said. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel like a threat but something delicious and exciting.
