Page 53 of A Love Most Fatal

“I can’t stand the thought of you marrying some idiot,” he says, and leans closer still, his breath warming my cheek. “It’d be bad for business.”

This makes me crack a smile, and he follows suit. He moves to stand, but first presses a loud kiss on my cheek, just like Willa does.

“Are you staying for dinner?” I ask.

“Can’t. But I will be here for the pool party. Gotta see what the fuss is about with this teacher.”

“Ah.” My mom’s doing each year when it’s finally warm enough outside to swim. I’d forgotten about the pool party, much like I’d been forgetting any social engagement for the last three weeks.

I flick my hand in a wave and he offers a mock salute before leaving me be in my office, the quiet and dust settling around me in his wake.

19

NATE

Despite what I’veseen over the last weeks here, the Morelli family does in fact take breaks, usually in the form of a family gathering. This morning started with an “easy” training (easy being three miles on the treadmill and a full body lifting workout) and then we all dispersed to get ready for the first pool party of the year. It’s tradition, a whole event celebrating their crystalline pool with bright blue tiles being warm, clean, treated sufficiently, and ready to jump into.

I am on the invite list, I think by merit of my being in the right place at the right time—namely a protected prisoner in their home.

Willa, Sean, and the twins show up for the fun along with a man I’ve never seen before who doesn’t spare a glance in my direction, much less introduce himself. I slather sunscreen on myself while everyone greets one another.

“This is Cillian,” Willa says to me. “My brother-in-law.”

She pats said brother-in-law on his shoulder, and Cillian doesn’t force a smile, he only looks me over like I’d been below his notice and he is now forcing himself to pretend he cares for propriety’s sake. I’m not a short man, but I am still a few inches below his sight line.

I would hold out my hand for him to shake, but it’s still greasy from the sunscreen, so I offer my fist instead. Like in another life we might be two bros playing basketball at the rec center.

“Nate. Nice to meet you.”

He looks at my fist and commits the cardinal sin of leaving me hanging until I drop my arm back to my side.Monster.

“The teacher,” he says with a generous amount of derision.

I know with a bone-deep certainty that Cillian is not fun at parties, not the guy you ask to help you move, not the person you want as your neighbor if you need a package brought in. He looks more ready for a yacht club than a backyard pool party. My swim trunks are almost a decade old, probably purchased at the same time I got my slides that squeak against the cement. Cillian wears a cream, silken button-up, unbuttoned enough to show the top of his tattooed chest and neck, and shorts that look nicer than my best slacks.

Just how can he make me feel woefully underdressed for a pool party? I didn’t think you could mess that up, the only dress requirement is a swimming suit.

Basically, I hate him.

Artie, at least, is casual, though maybe I shouldn’t take comfort in matching with a 12-year-old.

“Yep, I am a math teacher,” I say, rubbing more sunscreen on my face. “Though you’ll have to forgive me, your reputation doesn’t precede you.”

“Uncle Cillian, are you going to swim?” Angel yells while Artie uses all his lung capacity to blow up a floatie.

“No, Angel. Maybe next time,” he says. I’m not convinced.

Cillian squints at me before shaking his head and walking away, not another word wasted on the likes of me.

Seriously, who needs agold watchat a pool party?

Vanessa and Mary come outside then, Vanessa in a tight little wrap dress, Mary wearing all black, as is her way. Both have sunglasses perched on their noses and Vanessa pushes hers onto her forehead to give her niece and nephew kisses on their cheeks.

Cillian, I notice, offers his own cheek for her to kiss which she does without fare. Seeing them next to each other, Cillian looking down a great many inches to her perfect face, it dawns on me thatheis the kind of man Vanessa is looking for. Huge forearms, tattoos swirling over his limbs and up onto his neck, a strong alpha male type. And if he’s part of the family, he’s already got the criminal thing going for him.

Heis the kind of man that ends up with Vanessa Morelli, the kind who can protect and defend her, or at least fight alongside her.

He has the look.

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