Page 74 of Her Dark Salvation

“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you tonight, if you can spare a few minutes from your canvassing?”

The mayor’s lips twitched, and he eyed Marco warily. “For you, Marco? Anything.”

“Excellent. I’ll find you after we get drinks. Ciao.”

The mayor walked off to greet the next group of wealthy socialites, and the weight of Marco’s heavy regard tugged at my attention. I looked up, and the usual slash of his severe mouth had turned into a gleaming halfmoon of amusement.

“Did you just wipe your sweaty palm down the back of my Armani?”

“It was either Armani or Givenchy!” I whined and grimaced.

The deep boom of his laughter filled the space around us and transformed him from a serious executive with an impenetrable poker-face into a warm, carefree soul who made my heart leap with affection.

“You’re so goddamn sexy,” he said with a shake of his head and lowered his lips to my forehead.

The smile on my face threatened to split me in two. Marco had me tied around his finger in a neat little bow, and it didn’t bother me at all.

He scanned the room, and as if on cue, Vinnie Valenzano and his entourage walked on set. They sauntered across the lobby with all the swagger and thinly veiled menace of an old Western posse, but instead of cowboy hats, chaps, and spurs, they wore slicked-back hair, custom tuxedos, and Italian-leather Oxfords.

My body stiffened. “What—What is he doing here?”

“Relax. I told you. Vinnie is an important part of the Italian-American community.” Marco’s tone suggested I should understand why he was there, but I couldn’t get past who he was.

Mayor Kelson didn’t miss his entrance, either. He made a beeline for Vinnie, his hand held out in eager obeisance.

“Why don’t you get a drink. I need to go over there, and it’ll just make your palms sweat.”

I slugged him in the arm, and he chuckled.

“Go. Mingle. Introduce yourself to people.”

I raised an eyebrow.

He laughed in earnest and held up his hands in defeat. “All right. Well, at least get yourself a drink. Maybe some appetizers?” He glanced around. “Siobhán is around here somewhere.”

His hand moved from my lower back to my face, and he brushed his thumb over the two birthmarks on my cheek. A kiss to my forehead and a reassuring smile, and he left to join two of the most powerful men in Boston.

I took a deep breath and continued the journey we’d started toward the bar. I needed something to take the edge off. I needed champagne.

“Anna! Anna Barone!”

The familiar voice made me stop in my tracks and groan under my breath. I just wanted a drink but reluctantly turned to its source and what was sure to be an uncomfortable conversation.

“Tim,” I said and plastered a smile on my face.

“Anna!” He held out his hand, and I shook it. “I saw you come in but couldn’t believe that was you. You look so…”

I tilted my head after an awkward pause.

“So different,” he finished and ran a hand through his unkempt hair. “I didn’t recognize you at first.”

“Must be the dress,” I said with an embarrassed smile and a shrug. “But it’s still me.”

“No. It’s not just the dress, although you do look stunning. Something’s different.” He narrowed his eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, eager to change the subject.

“My wife volunteers for the DeVita Foundation. Teaches English as a Second Language. Very good cause. In fact…” He glanced around the lobby. “Wasn’t that Mr. DeVita you came in with?”

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