Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
I whirled around, searching for an escape but Matteo had already seen me… us, and he was stalking in our direction.
To my utter shock, Adrian’s expression shifted, something unreadable flashing across his features. In one fluid motion, he shrugged off his black tuxedo jacket and draped it around my shoulders, his hands lingering for just a moment as he adjusted it to cover me properly.
The unexpected warmth enveloped me, heavy and smelling of him—sandalwood, mint, whiskey, and something uniquely Adrian, something darker.
I stared up at him, confusion warring with suspicion. His eyes met mine, something I couldn’t quite understand flickering in their depths.
“Pull it closed,” he instructed, his voice low and devoid of the mocking tone that had colored it moments before.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Matteo materialized in front of us and ice filled my veins.
His gaze swept over me, taking in my bare feet, wet hair, and Adrian’s jacket clutched around my shoulders. Behind him, two security men followed, their eyes scanning the garden perimeter. They stayed behind, close enough for protection, far enough to give us privacy.
My mouth opened but no words came. What could I possibly say?
My mind raced through excuses, each one more implausible than the last. I couldn’t tell him the truth; that his brother had kissed me, touched me, made me fall into the fountain.
All of that on our engagement night.
“What happened here?” Matteo’s voice was controlled, but danger lurked beneath the surface. His eyes flicked between Adrian and me, calculating.
“I—" My voice cracked, betraying me. Shame and fear clogged my throat. I wished the ground would just open and swallow me whole, take me far away from these two brothers.
“She fell,” Adrian said smoothly, stepping forward to stand beside me. “I was taking a smoke break when I heard a splash and I found your fiancée in the fountain. It seems she tripped on her heels. I fished her out for you.” He scoffed once. “You’re welcome.”
Matteo’s eyes narrowed, assessing my bedraggled appearance. He didn’t look one bit convinced by Adrian’s words. “Is that true, Serafina?”
I nodded jerkily, unable to meet his eyes. I was a goddamn liar and my stomach heaved, but what choice did I have? The truth was far worse.
“The dress is ruined, I’m afraid,” Adrian continued smoothly. “Such a shame. She looked exquisite in it.”
Matteo moved closer, his gaze raking over me. I shrank deeper into Adrian’s jacket, wishing I could disappear entirely.
I was tired.
I wanted to be alone.
I wanted to breathe, away from them.
“Are you okay?” He finally asked, his tone changing to something smoother, gentler. Almost caring. I was so lost that I could no longer tell whether it was deceptive or genuine. “You were gone for so long, I had been worried. I was looking everywhere for you.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I wanted to have some fresh air and I think I wandered too far into the garden without realizing… and then, well… I fell.”
It was the lamest, poorest excuse I could make but that was all I could muster. My strength had waned.
Matteo surprised me by wrapping his arm around my shoulder, pulling me against his warm chest. “You’re soaked and shivering. Let’s get you inside.”
“I c-can’t go in like that.” I shook my head, dumbly.
“Everyone will see,” Adrian drawled.
My chin wobbled at his words and I wanted so desperately to sob, but I refrained from breaking apart in front of the Salvatore brothers.
“Of course not, there is another door at the back. I’ll take you up to your room. No one will see,” Matteo reassured me calmly.
How was he so calm?
Did he actually believe Adrian’s lies and my excuses?
“Our families… they are going to be upset.” Oh God, my father. His fury would be unmatched if I were to abandon the engagement party like this.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll make an excuse.”
Adrian scoffed but Matteo simply ignored him.
“B-but—”
Matteo’s arm tightened around my shoulders. “I’m going to be your husband, Serafina. Please start trusting me when I say I will handle it.”
My lungs almost caved within themselves at his words.
I had just betrayed whatever trust there was between us with his brother’s lips on mine…
Matteo’s arm remained firm around my shoulders as he guided me away from Adrian, whose eyes I could feel boring into my back. Each step squelched beneath my bare feet, Adrian’s jacket heavy and warm around me, its scent—his scent—wrapping around me like a degrading accusation.
We moved silently through the gardens, Matteo’s security men falling back to give us privacy while maintaining a protective perimeter. The night air bit at my wet skin, but the shame burning through me was almost enough to keep me warm.
“This way,” Matteo murmured, leading me toward a small side entrance I hadn’t noticed before. The door opened to a narrow corridor, mercifully empty of guests or staff.