Page 65 of Dance of Madness

Dom’s mouth tightens and he doesn’t say anything as she steps close to him, just near enough to invade his space.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you missed me,” she teases.

“Go to bed, Gabriella,” he says flatly.

I clear my throat. “Woah—don’t you be giving my sister orders,” I growl.

He frowns, turning to me and shaking his head. “Sorry, boss.”

“No sweat,” I grin. “Just, that’smyjob.” I turn to my sister. “Go to bed, Gabriella.”

Dom snickers next to me. Gabby flips us off with both hands, the apple between her teeth. She turns to saunter out of the room, then I stop her.

“Tomorrow,” I grunt. “Don’t make plans.”

“What if I have them already?” she asks, removing the apple.

“Cancel them. Leo Debolsky wants a meeting.”

She makes a face. “Gross. Leo’s a drunk asshole. Besides, I’m pretty sure business meetings with unsavory dickwads is your department, not mine.”

“Well, it’s yours tomorrow. Leo wants you there.”

She groans. “If this is some kind of arranged marriage thing, I swear toGod?—”

“Let's just see what he has to say, okay? Be there.”

She rolls her eyes dramatically.

“Gabby—”

“I’llbethere, okay?” she sighs. “Goodnight, Nero.”

“’Night, Gabby.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Caruso,” she teases a still-scowling Dom in a sing-song voice.

When she’s gone, he turns to me.

“You think there’s any leverage in theworldthat would rein that in?”

“Nope,” I shrug. “But it’s going to be fun asfuckto watch her sit there while Leo tells her he wants her as his blushing bride.”

“I’d liketo propose a marriage alliance between our families.”

That’s how Leo opens.

No hi-how-are-ya. No warmup. Just come out swinging, right out the gate.

I sit back in my chair, barely containing my sigh.

Called it.

Dom is next to me at the table, arms folded, face blank. Gabriella sits on my other side, legs crossed, twirling her hair like she’s the bored star of a reality show.

“You’re serious?” she asks, raising a perfectly manicured brow. “Like…marriage-marriage?Us?”

Leo smiles eagerly. “Yes! Look, Gabby?—”

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