Page 54 of Made for Saints

I hesitated, my gaze flicking back to her as she turned toward the mirror again, the dress shifting with her movements. “Something blue. Fancy. Like she’s going to prom or something.”

“Prom?” Luca repeated, laughing. “What the hell kind of bridal shower is this?”

“Don’t ask me,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t even know what a bridal shower is.”

“It’s like a pre-wedding party for women,” Luca explained, his voice smug with the satisfaction of knowing something I didn’t. “They give the bride gifts, drink champagne, gossip about the groom. That kind of thing.”

I grunted, unimpressed. “Sounds pointless.”

“Most things are, brother,” Luca replied, his tone light. “But I doubt you’re calling it pointless while you’re sitting there watching her.”

I didn’t reply, my jaw tightening as I glanced toward the boutique again. She was still standing in front of the mirror, the blue dress shimmering as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. A boutique attendant fluttered around her like a moth to a flame, fussing with the hem and smoothing out invisible wrinkles.

“She’s wearing something…” I paused, searching for the words. “Thin. Clingy. It’s one of those dresses that shouldn’t work for something high-class. On the wrong person, it would look cheap. But on her…” I trailed off, my throat tightening.

“But on her,” Luca prompted, his voice full of amusement.

I exhaled sharply, my jaw flexing. “It looks elegant. She makes it elegant.”

He hummed thoughtfully. “What kind of dress are we talking about? Be specific, brother. I need to picture it.”

“It’s silk,” I said before I could stop myself. “Thin straps. It clings in all the right places.” And then, quieter, almost to myself, “All the wrong places.”

Luca let out a low whistle. “I think I know what you’re talking about. What’s it called…?”

“I don’t know,” I muttered, frustrated. “It’s one of those dresses that looks like lingerie.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then I heard Luca’s voice muffled as he spoke to someone else. “Hey, babe—what’s the name of those dresses that look like lingerie? You know, the ones made of silk?”

I froze, my grip tightening on the phone. “Are you seriously asking one of your Tinder hookups right now?”

“Why not?” Luca replied, completely unfazed. “She’s here.”

“Another one?” I muttered, shaking my head. “Do you ever take a break?”

“Not when they keep swiping right,” he shot back, smug as ever. Then, muffled again, “Yeah, that’s it. Thanks, babe.”

He came back on the line, sounding far too pleased with himself. “Slip dress. You’re welcome.”

I didn’t respond, my mind already racing with the image of Emilia in that dress. The way the silk draped over her curves, the way the material shimmered under the light, leaving just enough to the imagination while still being utterly indecent. It was the kind of dress no one should wear to something like this—but on her, it worked. It more than worked. She made it look effortless, sophisticated.

And I wanted to tear it off her.

“You there, brother?” Luca’s voice broke through my thoughts, irritatingly smug. “Or are you too busy imaginingher in it?”

“Shut up,” I muttered, though the corner of my mouth twitched despite myself.

“Let me guess,” he continued, undeterred. “You’re also thinking about murdering every man who looks at her in it?”

My jaw tightened as I glanced back toward the boutique. She was laughing now, her smile radiant as the attendant adjusted the hem of her dress. A smile like that wasn’t for me. It wasn’t for anyone.

“Shut up, Luca,” I said again, my voice low.

Luca chuckled. “You’re in deep, brother. Admit it.”

I ignored his jab, the image of Emilia in a silk slip dress flashing unbidden in my mind. The way the fabric would drape over her curves, the way it would shimmer under the light, the way it would leave just enough to the imagination while still being utterly indecent.

Luca’s laugh was warm, but it carried an undercurrent of something else. Concern, maybe. Or pity. “Be careful, Dante. Women like her...they’ll ruin you.”

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