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I sip my drink, my mind still on the outdoors, and I wonder just how easy it would be to get off the property. Escape hasn’t been on my mind for months, but right now, in this moment, it’s at the forefront.
The clink of a champagne flute captures my attention, and I turn to find Mario at the fireplace. His expression is neutral, but his gaze is on me.
“Welcome to the Errani home,” Mario says with a bright smile on his face. He’s handsome, I can’t deny it. “Tonight is about getting to know those in this world. Some of you”—he pauses for a moment before continuing—“may already know those in the room. But there is more to tonight than meets the eye. In the coming months, families will work together, form alliances. Perhaps your fathers may have set about rules, agreements, contracts, but this is up to you now.”
There’s a heavy silence in the room as I take in the faces who are turned to Mario. Eyes focused on the man making the speech.
“We communicate, we plan, and we live our lives within this myriad of agreements, rules, and promises. However, for now, those things will be put on the back burner. It’s time to enjoy our dinner.”
We’re led through the living room into a much larger space with a long, ornate table that’s set for the guests. Candelabras are lit, the dancing flames causing the wine glasses to shimmer. As we each take our seats, I’m beside Judah, with Valen to my left, and Kai opposite me. His gaze never strays, even when his brother speaks.
“And dinner is served,” Mario announces, and the servers enter, carrying three plates each. They’re smaller, beautifully presented appetiser plates. They topped the bruschetta with fresh herbs, small roasted cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Even though I’m starving, my stomach churning with anxiety makes it difficult to eat. I have to force myself to enjoy the food. The conversation around the room continues, laughing and chatter, fades into the background as the main course is served.
I take in each of the faces around the table. Most of them are strangers to me, I only recognise a handful. The women who accompany some of the Underbosses are exquisitely dressed. They’re poised, ready for a life of servitude when it comes to the men in their lives.
I want to say I’m not like them. But deep down, I realise I would do anything to ensure the safety of Judah, Kai, and Valen. Perhaps it’s the guilt of what my father wanted me to do, or maybe it’s because I am really falling in love with them.
As dinner ends, we’re once more escorted from one room to another. This space reminds me of an open-plan art gallery. The walls are light, while the art pops with bright colours. Only a handful of the canvasses are classics, the rest are all modern art.
A young man saunters up to Judah and I as we enter the room. I don’t know him, but the way he’s watching me makes me think he knows exactly who I am. Although, most here would know me because of my family name. I’m sure the families in attendance are aware of my father and his traitorous actions.
“So, this is the Saviatti princess,” the young man says. He looks like he should be on a runway. His brown hair is short, buzzed close to his head, while his green eyes shimmer as he looks at me.
“This is Brielle.” Judah’s tone is tight with tension, and his hand finds the curve of my back, his fingertips trace down my spine sending warmth coursing through me. He may be angry at me, but it’s a show of possession.
“Well, I hope for Judah’s sake you’re nothing like your father,” the stranger jokes as he glances between me and Judah.
“I’m nothing like my father.” My words drip venom as I glare at the stranger before me. I don’t give a shit who he is, and I certainly am not afraid. Granted, I should be. He could seek revenge on me for speaking out, for beingrude.
“Let me make something clear, Dario,” Judah says as he steps forward, leaving me two steps behind. The warmth of bodies surrounds me, and I realise I’m now flanked by Kai and Valen. Judah continues, “You can come at me all you like, because Brielle will be a Venier soon. And if you’d like to start a war, I’ll gladly fucking finish it for you.” His threat is nothing more than a hiss, nobody else can hear it, but I feel eyes on us.
The noise around the room lowers to a soft simmer, and there is no doubt everyone has noticed the altercation between the two men.
Once again, when I didn’t want attention, it’s found me and I’m left with trembling hands and a wildly thudding pulse.
“Hey man,” Dario says as he holds his hands up and chuckles. “I was just testing.”
“I don’t like you,” Judah informs the man before him. “And if you so much as try totestme again, I’ll ensure you’re very sorry you did.”
Judah’s shoulders are rigid as he glares down at the other man. There’s a few inches of difference in their height, and Dario seems to shrink back at the enormity of what’s going on between them.
“Everything alright here?” Mario steps up to the circle that’s now surrounding us. His gaze is nothing like Kai’s as he looks between me, Judah, and Dario.
“It’s all good, Brother,” Kai responds, because I’m sure Judah is nowhere near calm enough to reply.
Mario nods. “Good,” he says. “Wouldn’t want something to happen at our event. We should form alliances, not break them down.”
Once again, the rules are set without voicing them fully.
“It’s all good,” Dario says, before he offers Judah a mock salute and turns and heads back to his friends. The tension in the room settles, and I’m able to breathe again.
“I need the restroom,” I whisper, hoping to escape the eyes currently focused on me. Without waiting on the guys, I head out of the large room which reminds me of a holiday villa, and make my way down the passage.
There are so many doors leading off the long pathway, and my curiosity gets the better of me as I push one door open. Inside is a darkened bedroom. The only light comes in from the window, illuminating the frame of the four-poster bed.
When I take a step back, I slam into a hard, muscled frame. A gasp tumbles from my lips and a hand slams over my mouth. His warm breath fans over my cheek when Kai whispers, “Shh, little spy.”
