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“Rosa, what the fuck are you doing?” Dante says, his heavy fists pounding against the bathroom door.
“Coming!” I shout back, shutting off the faucet.
Bracing for impact, I slowly creep open the door. He towers in front of me, his amber eyes squinting as he looks me up and down.
“Come on,” he grunts, grabbing me tightly around the wrist and dragging me back into the dining area.
All eyes are on us. He plasters on a fake smile, and I do the same. My eyes search for Luca, but he’s fixated on the hand grasping my forearm. I pull my arm back hard enough it forces Dante to let me go. He shoots me a scowl but releases me.
Fuck, it’s sore. But I can’t rub it. Luca will know he was hurting me.
As we take our seats, my body brushes against Luca’s shoulder, sending sparks of desire straight to my core. I know he feels it, too, the way he stiffens. Luca keeps his gaze firmly on Frankie opposite him, but his thumb connects to my right hand under the table and he starts to gently rub my arm in small circles. The same spot Dante just had a hold of.
I try to subtly pull away from him. The fear of discovery has my heart racing like I’m about to have a heart attack. But Luca laces his fingers through mine, putting my hand back in its original position and continues to massage my tender wrist.
“To us!” Dante announces, holding his flute of champagne in the air. My sister gives me a smile and joins him. I know I’m hurting her by hiding away from her, but it’s the only way I can keep her safe.
I stiffen as Luca leans forward and offers his hand to Dante right in front of my face, giving me a subtle wink. With those same fingers that were just inside me, he’s offering to shake my fiancé’s hand with. My body is on fire.
“Congratulations. You’re a very lucky man.” Luca’s words tickle into my ear as his hidden hand squeezes mine. Their handshake looks intense, like they’re both vying for power. With white knuckles and bulging tendons, it’s only after Dante gives a grunt do they separate.
“Come on, give me a kiss, fiancé.” Dante drapes his arm over my shoulder and tugs me to face him. It’s like cold water being thrown over me.
I can feel the waves of anger rolling from Luca next to me, so I slip my hand from his and start to trace the square around his knee. Anything to relax him, to remind him of us.
With him by my side, I can do anything.
Taking in a breath, I shut my eyes and let Dante press his lips to mine. I don’t kiss him back; I stay still, hoping this will be over quickly. I sigh in relief when he breaks away, but his jaw twitches as he leans close.
“I expect better from you next time,” he whispers in my ear, his voice full of venom.
* * *
Frankie’sItalian chef cooked us a delicious three-course meal. It was so tasty, I couldn’t resist digging in. It’s the first meal I’ve been able to devour in a long time.
Every time Luca brushed my thigh, I had to clench my legs together.
Luca stands from the table, nodding to Uncle Frankie.
“I have to go. Congratulations.” He turns to me, his eyes then settling on my fiancé. A darkness clouds his features.
He stands and walks behind me, stopping at Dante’s chair. Grasping his hand firmly on Dante’s shoulder, he bends and whispers in his ear. I know it’s nothing good. Dante’s face goes red and his jaw clenches. He doesn’t say a word back before Luca turns and strolls out the door.
He left me on my own with the monster. Eva shoots me a questioning look as Dante pushes himself up from the table.
“Well, thanks for a lovely meal, Frankie. But it’s time I get Rosa back home.”Dante waits as I slide my chair back.
I stand and give Frankie a tight-lipped smile.Keep it together, Rosa.As Dante clasps my trembling hand, I give my sister a wave as he all but drags me out of the room.
He walks us down the long hall in silence until we are near the end. Then he twists my arm up, bending my wrist uncomfortably.
“Ouch, let go!” I whisper.
“Who the fuck is Luca to you?” he spits out as we step outside of the house.
“N-no one. He’s just Frankie’s business partner.”
“I don’t believe you. You little slut.” He turns to face me and I back away. Fury flashes across his dark eyes as he stalks towards me.
