Twice I tried to talk Aris into leaving. The first time was after Alberto did something to piss Ari off. Aris won’t tell me what it’s about, and it doesn’t really matter, but I thought it would be a good reason to leave. That’s when he decided we should dance instead. This made Cara happy, and Aris gave me an “I told you so” look.
Once the music turns to a soft, slow ballad we make our way to the dance floor. That’s when I give Aris another hint about making our getaway, only to have Luciano approach our table. Immediately, Aris straightens his shoulders and greets his boss.
“Nero and I would like you and your sister to join us,” Luciano says, and, without waiting for an answer, he begins to walk back to his table in the VIP section. Aris scrambles, picking up my shawl and plunking it into my hand. I barely have time to grab my clutch before he’s got me by the hand and is leading me to their table.
It’s not until we’re close that I notice the table is full of men sitting with Nero and Luciano. I recognize Reno Viale. He’s the head of Nostra Casa, and Anna’s husband. I’ve heard stories about what a dangerous man he is, but Anna seems quite happy with her husband, so he must have kindness in him. The other man is Alessio Cassini. He’s as lethal as they come in Las Vegas. I’ve heard that men shake in their boots when he comes to visit. He looks scary, even with a smile on his lips.
There’s one more sitting at the table. I’ve never seen him before. He may be a family member from out of town, but he holds a certain distinction that makes me think he’s much more than that. His shaved head and smoky-gray eyes are a combination of sexy and deadly. Even sitting, he’s probably three times my size, and he’s watching every step I take as I get closer. I avert my eyes, only to find his bodyguard, who is on high alert, one hand pressed to his chest, where I’m sure his gun is harnessed.
Once we reach the table, I take a step back behind Aris. It’s instinct. Most of the time, men want to talk business, and I really don’t need to be here. I’m partly out of sight, since my big brother is almost as big and bulky as the others, and I can easily be forgotten.
“We’d like to discuss a new project. You’d be perfect for it, Aris. Let’s move into the back room for a moment,” Nero says, then turns to me. “Would you mind waiting at our table, Evangeline? Mr. Di Morte will keep you company.” He turns to the dark but beautiful stranger. “You’ll take good care of Evangeline, won’t you?”
“It’s an honor and pleasure to keep such a beautiful woman company.” His voice is like a warm caress, and a tremor runs through my body, a humming. I swear my legs feel like jelly, and I’m grateful for the chair Aris is holding out for me.
“We won’t be long, Angie.” My brother gives my shoulder a squeeze and heads off after the others, leaving me alone at the table with Mr. Hot and Sexy.
He holds out his hand, and I place mine in his. “We haven’t been properly introduced. My name is Raffaele Di Morte, but my friends call me Rafe.” His rough, calloused hand engulfs my much smaller one. His darker, more olive complexion contrasts against my paler skin, so very opposite from mine. Yet, he’s being gentle.
“Hello, Mr. Di Morte. I’m Evangeline Lanzia.” Then quickly I add, “But everyone calls me Angie.”
“Now, why would anyone want to shorten a beautiful name like Evangeline? I quite like it. I hope you don’t mind that I call you by your proper name. It very much suits you.” His lips lift into a smile, and that only makes him more attractive.
Get ahold of yourself, I tell myself. You’ve seen lots of handsome men before. The last thing I need to do is make a fool of myself.
“Tell me about yourself,” he says.
“I’m not very interesting. I finished school a year ago and have been working in a real estate office,” I say.
“Do you enjoy it?” he asks.
Normally, I would say yes, but instead, I tell him the truth. “Not at all. I want to work in a nonprofit geared toward helping children with special needs, but those positions are few and far between around here.”
“You like children?”
“They’re amazing. Little people see life so differently. They remind me of the awe we lose as we grow up. They live free—until the rest of the world catches up to them, that is,” I say sadly.
“Has the world caught up to you, then, tesoro?” He leans forward in his chair, and when his fingers move to lift my chin, our eyes meet.
“Some days, it feels that way.” I lick my lips and want to jerk away from his touch, hoping he doesn’t see how he’s affecting me, but he holds me steady.
“Are you up for an adventure?” he asks mischievously.
“I’m not sure that’s an option,” I whisper. He releases me, and instead of relief, I feel bereft. Just then, the others return, and Aris helps me up. We quickly say our goodbyes, and Aris takes me home. He’s very quiet. I like the quiet. I know Aris can get this way when he’s got work on the brain. But the only thing I can think of right now is the sexy, gray-eyed man whose touch I can still feel.
* * *
Raffaele
I watch Evangeline walk away with her brother’s arm protectively around her shoulders. She doesn’t look back, but Aris looks over his shoulder to meet my gaze. I recognize that expression. It’s the “don’t fuck with my sister” look. Normally, that would be enough to set me off. I’d have grabbed him by the throat and squeezed until the light went out of his eyes. In this case, though, I find myself admiring Aris for caring about his sister.
“Well. Good talk?” Alessio asks with a smirk.
“Let’s speak frankly,” Nero begins. “Angie was never an option for several reasons. She’s younger than the others we’ve selected. She not at the same status as one would allot to a capo, but most of all, although her father accepts Angie as his own, La Famiglia is aware that she most likely isn’t his biological daughter. It would have been an insult to include her on the list.”
“And in full disclosure, she’s not your usual type,” Luciano says, pointing out the obvious.
“She’s beautiful,” I say gruffly.
“No argument there,” Reno says. “There’s a lot to consider. I married Anna, and she was accepted into Nostra Casa, but not without some resistance. I held firm, and her natural charm won them all over. Can you guarantee the same for this woman? She’s young, inexperienced, and has never been in the position to be groomed to be a capo’s wife.”
“Ultimo Morte is mine to command, and my men will do as I say,” I tell them forcefully. “The bigger problem is that Evangeline has been insulted, and because of the rumors, eventually, she’ll begin to doubt whether her father is actually her father.”
Nero understands what I’m getting at. Earlier, the young man had no qualms about speaking out of turn. It was because Aris put an end to it that Evangeline didn’t hear his words.
“He’ll be dealt with in the morning. Aris has requested a few bouts in the ring with Alberto, and he’ll get them. Alberto’s father is an honorable man, and based on the apologetic text I’ve received from him, he’s duly upset with his son,” Nero says.
“I’d like a round with him myself,” I say.
“Seriously?”
“The man insulted my fiancée. I think I have the right to inflict some pain.”
“You’re fucking serious?” Alessio says, unable to hide his shock.
This is it! Once the words come out of my mouth, I can’t take them back. If I commit to a wife, especially a wife from another family, there is no way out. I’ve avoided marriage because with the track record the men in my family have had, it’s been nothing but a disaster. I’m going to make a shit husband, and Evangeline is everything that Nero said about her. Too young. Too innocent. But the thought of her with another man enrages me no end.
“Evangeline is my choice,” I confirm. I meet Nero’s gaze. “Will this be a problem for Marco or her father?”
“We’re going to find out,” Nero says.
“Well, hasn’t this night become a series of unexpected outcomes?” Reno remarks. He drops a hand on my shoulder. “With this union, we’ll become an invincible force of four, should the enemy come calling.”