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My brows knit together. “What do you mean?” I ask, acting as innocent as I can.
She doesn’t look at me. Instead, she continues to focus on the bride and groom. “Who are you kidding?” she scoffs under her breath. “The tension between the two of you is turning me on.”
I bite my lip to stop my laughter from bubbling out. “Nell,” I hiss, shocked she said that.
“Look, Portia, it’s been years since you fled your home. You’ve got to start living. Look at Teagan. She’s taking the plunge, hoping this marriage will work out. I feel the anger he has, but Elio cares for her, whether he wants to admit it or not. It emulates off him, albeit it’s hidden beneath the rage.”
“What about Dario?” I ask, wishing I hadn’t as soon as I feel her tense.
“He’s been hurt. I can feel the pain in his soul. His father affected him deeply—”
“But?” I say, knowing it’s coming.
“But he’s dark, Portia. His soul is dark. It’s swirling around his aura like a cloak.”
I laugh softly. “You say that about me, too.”
She nods tersely. “You have the darkness because you did what you had to do to save us, Portia, not out of fun.”
That’s not entirely true. The people I’ve killed, they were either going to hurt my friends, or they had already done so. I wouldn’t say I didn’t enjoy killing them because that’s a lie, but I also didn’t feel good after I did it.
“He’s troubled,” she says as the priest tells the groom to kiss the bride. “He’s going to always be troubled.”
“So, you’re telling me to let him fuck me even though he’s completely deranged?”
Make it make sense.
“I never called him that, and I could be wrong. He could be hiding something dark and traumatic that happened to him. Whatever it is, it’s affected him deeply.”
Don’t we all have something that has marked us? That has taken our path of life in a different direction than what we planned?
I smile as Teagan and Elio walk down the aisle. The darkness that surrounds Tee will always be there, just as it will be for Nell. They both suffered unimaginable things, and it’s never going to leave them. They’ll always have the memories of what they endured.
Four hours later and my best friend is now married, she looks happy, but the darkness is still etched in her eyes. I’m not sure if she’ll ever be able to get passed what’s happened to her. I wish I could kill every bastard that hurt her.
“You look gorgeous.” I hear Dario's deep voice in my ear. We’re at the reception and everyone seems to be having a good time. “I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you all day.”
“I’ve noticed,” I reply dryly. “Something that has annoyed your date, I might add.”
I hadn’t realized he brought a woman with him for his plus one, but the blonde model-esque woman is glaring at me as she watches Dario speak with me.
“She’s not who I want, but rather a woman who’s got a fucking pushy father.”
“Ah, you’re doing business with her dad, and in return, he wants you to date his daughter.”
“Got it in one. The thing is, I’d rather have a woman who isn’t all about herself. I like someone who’s got a bit of depth to them.”
“You’re an ass,” I say as I step away from him.
“We’ve had this discussion before. I am an ass, and I make no apologies for it.”
I sigh as I turn to face him. “What is it that you want, Dario? I’m not a woman for you to chase. I don’t do relationships, and I certainly won’t be having one with a member of La Famiglia.”
His eyes darken. “Funny,” he murmurs. “Only those in said La Famiglia call it such.”
My heart pounds against my chest. Shit. “I’ve heard it said. I had no idea it was a member’s only term.”
His lips twitch. “Nice save, Portia.”
