Page 71 of Deadly Vows

Being married to Luca for as long as I have has taught me two things.

One: Luca never brings me along for what he says we’re doing.

And Two: Luca loves a spectacle.

It’s how I know that this isn’t a celebration for my brother. It’s a front for something else. And I know that it involves Enzo aswell. The party in question has a lot of Luca’s family members among the investors who have shown up. The Pasquino empire is one that everyone wants to be a part of. And it has legal sides as well. But I know Luca didn’t bring me here to forget our worries and celebrate my brother.

He brought me here to add to them.

“What are you looking for?” Luca asks, interrupting my thoughts.

“My brother,” I say, making sure I grab a glass of champagne as a server passes by.

Luca laughs as he directs me to the center of the ballroom.

“You know I can tell when you’re lying, Elise,” he murmurs in my ear.

But I turn to him, my gaze narrowed.

“And I can tell when you’re lying,Luca,” I say.

Luca’s smile drops slightly, and he studies me, a small laugh leaving his lips as he angles his head and takes me in. His brow furrows slightly as he feigns innocence.

“And what is it that I’ve lied about tonight?” he asks.

I don’t know where my sudden bout of bravery comes from as I step closer to my husband, holding his gaze as I speak.

“This being a celebration,” I say.

Luca scoffs, but I can see through him. He’s shocked that I am standing up to him. He glares at me, before an eerie smile forms on his lips. He then reaches for the champagne flute, pulling it from my grasp as he watches me in silence. But before he can say anything more, Romelo interrupts us with a well-dressed Enzo in tow.

He’s wearing a dark suit, his usually messy hair neatly pushed away from his face and trimmed, making him look much older than usual. He actually looks like a man instead of a young kid.

“Boss,” Romelo says.

And that’s it. Luca seems to know exactly what that means as he nods, looking back at me. He leans in, placing a quick kiss on my lips before shifting his attention to Enzo.

“Take care of each other,” he says, tossing me a wink before moving in the opposite direction with Romelo in tow.

I watch him carefully as he departs. He looks very relaxed. Usually, if something wicked is planned, he has an air of excitement around him. But tonight, he’s very calm, and though it should make me feel better, it doesn’t. I know Luca. And as I said before, I know that this night isn’t about celebrating Enzo.

I turn to my brother, smiling at him as I push down my nerves for his sake. If anything is going down tonight, he will be at the center of it.

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

“I’m good. Do you guys do stuff like this often?” he asks, looking around the room in awe. I follow his gaze, admiring the beauty of the room. It is an elaborate ballroom with a chandelier that rivals any that I’ve seen. But as I continue to look, I notice glances from Pasquinos.

They’re eyeing Enzo in disgust.

“It depends on the occasion,” I say, steering him away from the crowd.

Everyone here knows where Enzo and I came from. And while my life was spared because I married their boss, Enzo should be long dead because of who he is and his connection to Luca’s father’s death. It’s one thing to talk about it and hear Luca explain how Enzo must prove himself to be accepted, but to be among the people who hate him the most and to see the reaction his presence gives is another thing entirely.

It’s unnerving.

“So you’ve lived among these people since your wedding?” Enzo asks, obviously aware of the looks.

I nod.

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