Page 56 of Kissing the Villain

Pops spun me around, so I faced the Salvatores. Luca burned a hole through me like he had X-ray vision. His intense gaze made me feel naked, bared to him in front of everyone. It was frustrating, intoxicating, and confusing.

“Far right corner,” Pops whispered into my ear. “Four men, all in black tuxedos and carnival masks. Do you see them?”

He spun me again, and four tall, stunning men stared at us.

“Who are they?”

It was hard to tell with everyone wearing masks.

“The people your brother chased after.”

A rush of excitement shot through my veins. “The Serpents?”

“Yes.”

Last year, The Serpents invited my brother to join them. Not long after, he vanished faster than a cloud of smoke.

“The only way out is through,” Pops told me. “One of The Serpents will ask you to dance. Say yes. Let him lead.”

As he turned me, I scanned the crowd. Everyone looked happy, entranced by the music, alcohol, and gourmet food. They were blind or oblivious, not the least bit affected by the overwhelming power of the Salvatores.

“I need to get out of this house,” I muttered. “Marcello hasn’t let me out of his sight. I have no freedom. It’s like living in a cage.”

“Your belongings are on the way to Devil’s Creek. Everything will return to normal this week,” he assured me, though I did not find his words comforting.

I sighed. “How do you figure?”

“I rented a space in town for Wellington Architecture and Design. Your parents have a handful of clients waiting for them to open their doors. I know it’s not the work you were doing for Madeline Laveau, but it will keep you busy.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “How did my parents manage that? They don’t know anyone in Devil’s Creek.”

Pops twirled me one last time, giving me the perfect view of the Salvatore table. “When you have enough money, you can make anything happen.”

“Anything except make the Salvatores go away.”

He followed my gaze. “Arlo doesn’t want money.”

“No, he wants revenge.”

24

ALEX

As Pops spunme around the dance floor several times, Luca appeared at my side. “I’d like to dance with Alex. Find something else to do, Wellington.”

“Mind your manners, boy.” He moved closer to Luca, her expression intense. “Learn to respect yourelders.”

Luca tugged on his tie and cleared his throat, lips pressed into a thin line. “May I dance with your beautiful granddaughter, Mr. Wellington?”

“That’s better.”

I took Luca’s hand, and he moved my arms around his neck. His hard body felt incredible against mine, a fact I tried to ignore as his fingers jabbed my hipbone. We moved to the song’s beat, acting like a couple. Like he wasn’t holding me in his death grip with a forced smile for our rapt audience.

“You’ve spent most of your night with Sonny,” he said midway through the song. “Do you prefer his company over mine?”

“It wasn’t intentional. You were busy with your family.”

His blue eyes met mine. “You will be part of my family, will you not?”

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