Page 58 of Dario DeLuca

Laughter spills from my lips at her infectious giddiness.

"Come, let's find a moment of peace. I wish to hear your thoughts on a few things."

Nodding, I allow her to lead me away from the swirling sea of last-minute changes and final touches. We weave through the courtyard, the gentle trickle of water from the stone fountain providing a soothing backdrop.

At last, we arrive in a secluded alcove, sheltered by trailing vines and bathed in the warm glow of flickering lanterns. This estate is larger than I thought. Plush chaise lounges beckon us with their crimson velvet upholstery. I sink into one with a contented sigh as Carmela settles gracefully beside me.

"This is a much-needed oasis from the whirlwind of activity, I bet."

"Yes, it is," she smiles, draping an arm along the back of the lounge. "I confess. I selfishly wanted to have you to myself for a few moments."

Her words give me pause, curiosity flickering in my breast. "Is there something I did wrong?"

Carmela's expression softens, her full lips pursing as she carefully weighs her words. "I know my brother's path is a... complicated one. The life he leads casts a long, dark shadow."

I inhale a steadying breath.

“I know he can be ruthless, yet I've witnessed firsthand how he will move heaven and earth for those he loves," she continues, conviction ringing in her melodic voice. "Dario's ferocious devotion to family is unshakable, his protective instincts visceral. It’s..." She pauses, searching for the right phrase. "A side of him the world rarely sees beneath that brutal veneer."

Carmela's words wash over me in crashing waves, unleashing emotions. Surprise. Intrigue. Skepticism. Perhaps there’s more to the man I've dismissed as a soulless monster. I continue to listen intently.

“My brother has had many women, but I’ve never heard him speak of one nearly as much as he does with you. The way he goes on and on about how you irritate him and drive him to thepoint of delicious anger lets me know you affect him, and he doesn’t like it. And that’s a good thing.”

My mind is a whirlwind, struggling to reconcile the dissonance between Dario's ruthless reputation and the tender vulnerability his sister describes. How can such jarring opposites coexist within one man? The contrast seems conflicting, an enigma that arouses my curiosity rather than providing any clarity.

"I…" I stutter, grasping for the proper response amidst the turbulence of my thoughts. "I must confess, I've witnessed nothing to suggest such a… calm demeanor."

Her full lips curve into a rueful smile. "He's very good at deceiving others," you see. He keeps everyone at a distance while protecting things he considers too valuable to expose. And you, mia dolce ragazza are his most prized jewel."My sweet girl.

I lean closer, my interest piqued. "Sounds like you’ve seen sides of him that he keeps hidden."

Her nod is gentle and encouraging. "Oh, many times. Like when our cousin was in the hospital—Dario stayed by his side every night, unseen to most, but I noticed. He read to him, can you imagine? Our fierce Dario, reading fairy tales in a dim hospital room."

I laugh softly. The image of Dario, so stark and powerful, holding a children's book is a heartwarming contrast. "I can’t actually. That’s… endearing."

“Oh, yes. Underneath all that bravado, there’s a heart that cares deeply. He masks it well."

The conversation shifts as she leans back and surveys the preparations around us. "You see, Mia, people like Dario, like members of la mia famiglia—they fight harder than most to protect what’s theirs, and sometimes that means… Well, I’m sure you know. It’s just their way of loving, you know?"

Her words sink in, swirling around my previously rigid perceptions.

"I'm beginning to see that," I admit as I think about how he protected me during the shooting.

His hard body pressed against mine as if it were a shield, and how demanding he was that his men get my parents to the hospital. His confession to me when we arrived about the loss of his father revealed a vulnerable side of him I had not yet seen. “He did tell me how long it’s been since he’s been home.”

Carmela's eyes take on a faraway look as she recalls the memory. "And when our father passed…Dario was only nineteen, tasked with becoming the patriarch of our family overnight. He sacrificed his youth and dreams to ensure our survival. Never has he wavered in his dedication to our welfare and security."

Her delicate fingers find mine, giving a gentle squeeze. "Those of us blessed enough to be in his innermost circle know the man hidden beneath that cold, ruthless mask he shows the world. And an unwavering loyalty to those he loves."

I swallow hard against the lump constricting my throat, her words lingering like the echoes of possibility.

Before I can respond, Carmela rises with effortless grace, patting away the emotions threatening to ruin her applied makeup. "Enough reflections for now, Bella. I have a wedding to dress for, and you should, too."

I stand to meet her. She pulls me into a hug, her lips brushing across my cheek. "I have the utmost faith you'll uncover the true depths of my brother's heart in time."

She glides away with innate poise, speaking to each person as she passes and giving orders like a DeLuca—without the gruff voice, of course.

I return to my guest room to prepare for Carmela's impending nuptials. The evening holds so much joy and is farfrom anything resembling danger. I sit before the lit vanity to apply my makeup. My soft brush is dusted with golden highlighter for my cheekbones to catch the light with every delicate stroke.

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