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I stiffen and set the dark meat back onto the porcelain plate. The muscles on the nape of my neck bunch, and I turn slowly to him. “Carina only worries for my well-being. She’s caring and kind.”
He snickers as he reaches for his highball glass full of whiskey. After taking a sip, he shakes his head and grins. “If you say so. But there’s a reason why I wantedyoufor my wife and not her.”
“And what’s that?” I ask as nicely as I can.
“You’re prettier.”
I grind my teeth and grin, though I’m not sure if it looks friendly. “We’re identical.”
He shrugs. “Not really. One of her eyes is noticeably larger than the other. Not to mention her breath.”
I tighten my fingers around my knife and fork as I imagine stabbing him with them. But as I open my mouth to put him in his place, I catch sight of my father out of the corner of my eye.
He’s sitting by himself across the dance floor, looking our way with intense worry, seeming much older than he did this morning. As if this day alone has aged him.
His bedraggled expression only gets worse when Luca’s uncle comes to sit beside him and offers him a cigar. He says something, and my father’s tan complexion pales and he slumps in his seat. Probably some sort of warning or reminder of where his loyalties should lie now that we’re all one big, happy family.
I sigh internally, swallow my pride along with the nasty flavor of duck, and channel my sister. “I love Cari. She’s one of the most selfless people I know. Please don’t say mean things.”
A burst of laughter erupts from him. “Selfless? I’d call ditching your twin on her wedding day pretty damned selfish.”
Did he just call me selfish? “Now wait a min—”
“Alma!” The smoky feminine voice right behind me cuts me off before I make the grave mistake of telling Luca off.
I turn in my seat just as a pair of arms wrap around me.
“I can’t believe we’re sisters now!”
I relax and return Luca’s sister’s hug. “Sofia!”
“You look beautiful,” she says, pulling away. “Absolutely stunning.”
“As do you! How many years has it been?”
She tugs the chair beside me and plops into it. “Too many. Luca won’t let me stay home. I have to get a degree, he says.” She glances at Luca and sticks out her tongue at him. “I couldn’t believe it when this guy said he was getting married. If only he’d given me more notice, I could have been a bridesmaid!”
“It all happened so fast,” I admit.
Sofia scans the hall. “Where’s Carina? I thought she was going to be your maid of honor.”
“Uh, she didn’t feel well.” I side-eye Luca when he scoffs. Gritting my teeth, I add, “Something didn’t agree with her.”
Frowning, Sofia glances between Luca and me. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she feels better soon.”
I nod and smile. “Thank you.”
Her frown deepens. “Are you all right, Alma?”
“Of course.”
“I know this knucklehead can be a beast to handle.” She laughs. “So if you need me, I’ve got you.”
“I’ll be all right. Especially with you there—”
“I won’t be at Briar House. I’m leaving first thing tomorrow morning. I just came in for the wedding.”
“At least we’ll have tonight to catch up.”
