Page 54 of His to Break

“Okay, sweetheart.” I hold my hand out to Isabella. “Let’s get you away from this mess and you can tell me who did this.”

Rico’s family has been loyal to ours for decades. Whoever did this, they’re going to pay.

CHAPTER 21

Vinnie

Everything is perfect. Emilia’s hotel is stunningly decorated in a simple, elegant style that reminds me of Italian villas. She’s got hand-painted frescoes on the walls and beautiful antique furnishings sitting alongside modern sofas in a large, open reception area.

As promised, she’s had the dividing wall between the dining room and ballroom pulled back to give us a single space to accommodate our guests. She’s had stunning floral arrangements brought in, featuring red roses whose edges have been sprayed with gold and other more exotic blooms.

Emilia’s staff, dressed in smart black uniforms, attend to our guests, making sure everyone has canapes and drinks. She’s hired a swing band that she assures me is very good. Our guests are arriving thick and fast, the women in gorgeous gowns and the men in tuxedos. This is already shaping up to be the most amazing night of my life, but as we greet our guests as they enter the ballroom, I can’t shake a sense of foreboding. The reason for my trepidation is standing on my right.

Leo’s been in a pensive mood since he went off with Nico after our trip to the zoo. Something happened that he won’t tell me about, but he’s been watching me closer than before. I don’t know if he’s worried that someone’s going to hurt me or that I’m going to commit some terrible transgression.

Leo wraps his arm around my waist as Olivia and Matteo come through the door. His brother greets me with a kiss on each cheek and Leo with a pat on the shoulder. Olivia greets me with a warm hug and Leo with a curt nod.

“Stay close tonight, Olivia,” he says tersely. “You know what happened last time you wandered off.”

She scowls at him. “You mean when an asshole hit me and tried to kidnap Emilia? That wasn’t my fault and you know it.”

Leo’s lip curls into a snarl. “It wouldn’t have happened if you stayed in the fucking ballroom.”

“Victim blaming, Leonardo?” Olivia places her hands on her hips. “Not a good fucking look.”

Matteo and I exchange a glance. Clearly realizing a fight is brewing, Leo’s younger brother puts an arm around their sister’s shoulders. “Come on, Livvy, let’s see if they’ve got any of those crab puffs you like.”

If Leo had spoken to her as if he was placating a child, Olivia would have bitten his head off, but she actually cuddles into Matteo and lets him steer her away. Leo’s too harsh with her and I wish I could get him to ease up, but she’s his baby sister and I’m sure beneath his obvious disapproval he loves her.

“Don’t even think about it,” Leo says.

“What?”

“Trying to persuade me to be nicer to Olivia.”

I sigh dramatically. “As if I could persuade you to do anything you don’t want to.”

Leo’s gaze slides over me. There’s an appreciative gleam in his eye. “You could persuade me to do a great many things, Mrs. Volante.”

He pulls me closer and I get the feeling if I don’t distract him, I’m going to miss my party. “Can I persuade you to dance?”

“Of course.”

Taking my hand, he leads me out onto the dance floor. People clear a space for us and a ripple of applause breaks out as Leo swings me around and pulls me close. I wrap my arms around his neck and we sway in time to the music. For the first minute, we have an audience of onlookers who are no doubt wondering how the hell I snared Leo Volante.

As their attention is slowly siphoned away, Leo and I both relax a little. I admire the sparkling Ascher-cut diamond now adorning my left hand. Leo gave it to me earlier tonight, since I could hardly turn up to a celebration of my marriage without a ring. With a characteristic lack of ceremony, he just handed me a box and told me to put it on.

“Why didn’t your mother come with Matteo and Olivia?” I ask, since I haven’t yet seen Ava.

“Gio’s bringing her.” Leo smirks. “It was the one sure way we had of getting him here.”

“He hates parties, huh?”

“He prefers his own company these days.”

The way Leo’s lips purse tells me that’s a sore point, so I quickly move on. “I thought your mom might come with Antonio.”

Leo shakes his head. “He won’t make it tonight. He’s in Connecticut with Isabella.”

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