Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 143870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 480(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 480(@300wpm)
A hint of a smile teases his lips, more dangerous than amused.
He grabs my jaw and tilts my head back so I have no choice but to look at him.
“What did you say to Ares?”
The words are low and controlled, but there’s a silent promise that if I don’t tell him, there will be consequences. Still, this is the only leverage I have over him, and for too many reasons to list, I want to aggravate him as much as he does me.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Vitale, but unlike everyone else, I don’t answer to you. What I said to Ares is none of your business.”
Darkness swallows the light in his eyes. “Do you want me to fuck her?”
“What?”
“Your friend,” he murmurs. “That’s what this is really about, isn’t it?”
“Do you think I care who you fuck?” I force the words from my dry throat. “You can go fuck her all night long. In fact, please do.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He assesses me. “Then you can say I’m just like every other man. So fucking predictable.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I swallow. “But while we’re on the subject, you should know that I have plans on Saturday, and I’ll be gone all night. Maybe that would be a good time for you to take Tiffany out to the alleyway. That’s where she likes to get down and dirty.”
He gives me an unimpressed stare. “For a wife who’s planning on stepping out, you seem far too invested in what your husband does with his cock.”
“That joke was only funny the first time,” I tell him. “Now it’s gotten old.”
“Does he know what he’s getting himself into?”
“What?” I ask bitterly. “Please enlighten me on what he’s getting himself into.”
He drags his thumb over my lips, pupils flaring when he smears my lipstick. “Il bacio della morte.”
“What does that mean?” I let out a shaky breath.
He leans down, and the warmth of his words ghosts over my lips. “It means being with you has consequences.”
Before I can wrap my head around that, he releases me, slipping back into the cold composure I’ve come to expect from him.
“Your friends are waiting for you.”
He turns and heads for the door, but I can’t stop myself from asking.
“What kind of consequences, Cristian?”
He glances over his shoulder, jaw tight as he delivers the blow without emotion.
“Certain ruin.”
“What the hell, Chantel?” Lucia plants her hands on her hips.
“What?” I frown.
“You’ve been keeping secrets from us. Why didn’t you tell us you were a headliner?”
“Or that you could sing,” Gabi chimes in.
“Or that you can do the actual splits.” Abella raises her brows. “How some man hasn’t wifed you up yet is beyond me.”
“Well, I think she could have her pick of them.” Valentina eyes Andreas and Elias across the club. “Are they Greek?”
“Yes,” I answer, not bothering to explain that I actually know them.
“Figures.” Serafina sighs.
Andreas and Elias often work as a pair, and I know from experience neither of them are big talkers. Since Andreas has been with Kenzie, I’ve had more interactions with him. But I doubt Elias and I have exchanged more than a handful of words, even when they provided me safe passage from New York to Seattle.
I suspect the reason they’re both keeping an eye on me now is because of the powder keg of tension in the room. That tends to happen whenever the Greeks and Italians are forced to coexist.
“Men just like the idea of the stage personality.” I turn my attention back to my friends. “The real version is never quite as exciting.”
“She’s right.” Kenzie approaches, bumping her hip against mine. “If he likes you in feathers and sequins but not in leggings and a messy bun, then he doesn’t really like you at all. That’s our motto around here.”
“If that isn’t accurate, I don’t know what is.” Lucia laughs. “You must be Kenzie.”
“That’s me.” She does a performative little bow. “So weird when worlds collide. I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to meet Chantel’s other friends.”
“You should come out to the island sometime,” Abella suggests. “We can make a day of it.”
Kenzie and I exchange a glance, both of us clearly thinking the same thing.
“I would, but I think I fall into the mortal enemy category, since I’m aligned with the Greeks.” She gestures across the room at Andreas, who’s watching her like he’s her own personal bodyguard. “I just really have a thing for that scary-looking dude over there. But don’t let him fool you. He’s actually very sweet when he wants to be.”
“Oh.” Abella offers her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t realize. I mean, I don’t personally have a problem with the Greeks, but—”
“Your husband isn’t exactly neutral,” Kenzie supplies for her.
“Yeah, that part.”
Angelo is the head of the family, and one glance at him confirms his feelings are clear. He knows who Kenzie is dating, and he doesn’t like that we’re all mingling together.