Page 91 of Masked Hearts

“I think that’s exactly why he’s here.” Mattia shrugs.

“Antonio Vitale, just the man I’m looking for,” a voice booms into the hall, and we turn to see the exact man we were just talking about.

“I’m Marcelino De Luca, although I’m sure you’ve heard of me. My reputation does occasionally precede me much like your own.” He extends a hand.

Now, that is a name I’ve definitely heard, especially around the house when Papá was still alive. I had no idea he was the don. “Only good things, I hope. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Could the two of you give us a second alone?” he says, brushing Gus and Mattia aside, and the sinking feeling sets in again.

“Of course, come find us when you’re done. I wanna do a picture before Valerie and Ambrose disappear again,” Gus says, walking away.

Mattia gives me one last concerned look over his shoulder before they both disappear back into the ballroom.

“I did quite a bit of business with your papá back in his time,” Marcelino says.

“I remember hearing your name around the house.” I shove my hands into my pockets.

“He was a good man,” he says, meeting my eye.

“Yeah, he was.” Another pang, but this time, there’s less of a warning and more sadness at the reiteration of my papá’s death.

“You’re a good man, too, I can tell. You seem like the type to do anything to keep his family safe, and I admire that.”

My eyes flash up to his, expecting some sort of menacing look, but it’s apathetic, void of any emotions.

“I saw you married Theresa Auclair. Tell me, Antonio, I just bought several paintings from your cousin Enzo, who seems to be doing business with the Auclairs. They all have your certification on them,” he trails off, moving closer. “I don’t trust the French all too much. Is there anything I need to know about them?”

This feels like a test. I know it’s a test. But I just can’t figure out which side is testing me.

From the look on Theá’s face, I don’t think her father and the Don are all too friendly—which makes me think this is the Don himself testing me. If there’s one person’s bad side I don’t want to be on, it’s his. Especially if I ever want to live a normal life in Tevici again.

But, if this is Gabriel’s doing, it could mean the end of my family. And I’d rather never go back to Tevici than let anything happen to them.

I break out into a nervous chuckle. “I wouldn’t have certified it if it wasn’t authentic. I take my reputation very seriously.”

He stays silent for a while before a wide smile breaks onto his lips. “I knew I liked you. Well, I’m happy to hear that! Let’s head back in,” he says, throwing an arm around my shoulder and guiding me back in.

As I walk into the room, all eyes fall on me, but only three sets standout: Theá, Kylian, and her father.

I swallow the lump forming in my throat, but it won’t budge. And that bad gut feeling from earlier takes over my entire body.

If the Don wanted to send a message about who the Vitales belong to, he did a marvellous job with this entrance.

“Excuse me, I need to return to my wife,” I say calmly, slipping from his grasp.

“Let me know if your answer about what we discussed changes,” he says after me, and I nod.

“What is wrong with you?” Theá meets me a few strides away from her father and brother, who both eye me like a traitor.

“It’s not what it looks like. I’ll explain everything to you later.” I grab her shoulders, and she nods. I sidestep her and walk up to her father.

“Gabriel,” I say, extending my hand, which he just looks at.

“We had a deal.” Kylian pushes his father out of the way.

“Wehavea deal. Nothing has changed.” I don’t bother looking at Kylian. Instead, I meet Gabriel’s eyes.

“Then why are you cozying up to the Don? You’re a traitor,” Kylian spits.

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