Page 50 of His Vicious Desire

Christmas is in three days, and tomorrow, Luca leaves Vegas to spend a week in Chicago with his family.That meant the Outfit party to celebrate the holiday was tonight.

This event is in the ballroom of the main hotel.Bobby picked me up from the hotel in Old Vegas because Sandro is already here.I’m a horrible sister for wishing he weren’t, so I could see Gaetano without worrying that Sandro could tell how happy I was because of Gaetano.

The last six months have felt like years, and I’m dreaming of him almost nightly—a part of me is afraid I’ll forget what he looks like.

Bobby opens the door for me and urges me toward the front of the ballroom, where I see Sandro is sitting with Luca and Gaetano.

My heart is in my throat as I realize I’ll be sitting between Sandro and Gaetano.Sandro stands and pulls out my chair for me.

“I thought you were going with the blue dress.”Sandro grits out at me.

Shaking my head, I sit down.“You wanted me to go with the blue dress.I liked this one.”

My dress is a white cashmere sweater dress with a hem made of faux white fur.I’ll admit the hem is a little shorter, stopping at mid-thigh when I’m standing.

“You look beautiful, Bianca.That’s why your brother is in such a bad mood.”Luca chuckles.

“Thank you, Luca.”I take out the small box from my slightly too-large purse, the only reason I’m carrying it is for the gifts in it.

“You didn’t have to get me a gift.”Luca’s eyes are wide.

“Yes, I did.Sandro mentioned you have problems getting back on your sleep schedule after visiting your family in Chicago.This is an alarm clock that slowly changes the light in the room to wake you up gently.I was having the hardest time thinking of a gift for Sandro.This popped up as a suggestion, and I thought of you.”I explain.

Luca opens it and studies it.“I’ve heard of this.Thank you.Hopefully, it works.”

I don’t dare let my eyes linger on Gaetano as I take the other small box out of my bag.“I didn’t want you feeling left out.Here’s something for you.I hope you can use it.”

One eyebrow goes up as he takes it from me.“Thanks.”Is nothing more than a grunt as he sets it beside his plate, without opening it.

“Come on,” Luca chuckles.“Be nice.”

“That’s okay.I’m used to him being a dick.It’s his default setting.”I force a shrug.

Sandro and Luca laugh.

Sighing, I watch from the corner of my eye as he opens the box.They’re steel whiskey balls that cooled whiskey without diluting it.I’d noticed he had stones the day I was in his library.I’ve heard stones weren’t great, and it was better to use the stainless-steel balls.

“Thanks.”His eyes meet mine for two seconds.I wonder if I’m imagining the flare of heat in the black ice.

“You’re welcome.Sandro asked me to buy you the bottle of Macallan for Christmas because he can’t be bothered with shopping.I saw them in the store.Since you’re a whiskey drinker, I’m sure you have stones or other balls.I figured they’re like lip gloss—you can never have too many.”It’s a lie.If anyone looks too closely at them, they’ll know it because the balls are personalized with his initials.

Sandro laughs.“Thanks for telling on me.”

“Like anyone believes you go shopping.”I tease him.

“Thank you.I tell Luca this all the time.There is no such thing as too much lip gloss.”Luca’s girlfriend leans over him to talk to me.

“I’m forever losing my favorite one, too.”I commiserate with her.

A woman stops in front of me.“Has anyone gotten your order?”

I shake my head.“I only got here five minutes ago.”

“Okay, here’s the menu for tonight.I’ll give you a few minutes to look it over, and I’ll be back for your order.”She smiles as she asks if anyone needs a refill for their drink.

The menu is super small.There are only three possible entrées with five different sides.However, the dessert menu has more than five options.

By the time she’s back with a new glass of champagne for Luca’s girlfriend, I’m ready to order.

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