Page 114 of Broken Honor

“I want to see him,” she says sweetly. “Vieri.”

Before the guards can speak again, Omero lifts a hand, voice curious. “Let her through.”

She offers him a wink.

“What the fuck is all this noise?”

Vieri’s voice barrels through the corridor.

He comes into view, his shirt open, still in dark slacks, his hair slightly tousled. His eyes scan the scene.

Then they land on her.

She beams. “Hi.”

“Donna?” His voice loses all sharpness.

Alfio leans slightly to the side, intrigued. “So… you do know her?”

Vieri drags a hand over his face, muttering something under his breath. “Why are you here?”

She pouts. “You haven’t called since that night. I was worried.” Her tone softens. “I missed you.”

He takes her hand.

“Come with me,” he says slowly.

She giggles—actually giggles—and lets him guide her past us, her fingers twined with his. They walk slowly, like they’ve done this before.

My fingers twitch at the hem of the shirt. The cotton is damp under my palm. I press my thighs together, the fabric of the jeans pulling across my skin.

Alfio turns to the guards still hovering by the hallway. “What are you staring at? Back to work.”

They scurry away.

My lungs feel heavy. I don’t even realize I haven’t taken a breath until Enzo speaks, his voice careful.

“Are you okay?”

My mouth curves a smile.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

I reach for the fork and continue with my meal.

****

My heel squeaks once against the polished floor, and I pause mid-step, glancing over my shoulder.

The guard by the staircase looks away quickly, pretending he hadn’t been watching. I bite down on the side of my thumb—not hard, just enough to feel skin stretch.

I am outside Vieri’s study. Enzo and others left to “work” a few minutes ago. Enzo offered to stay, hang out with me, since he couldn’t take me anywhere.

Said Vieri would kill them if something happens again.

I told him I was fine. He didn’t believe me.

My feet carry me back to the door again, slower this time. I am not stalking or trying to eavesdrop, I am just curious. Who wouldn’t be curious in this situation? After last night, it’s normal to wonder when I see him with a woman I have never seen here before.

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