Page 78 of Dark Wolf Soul
And not Vincenzo.
Grey hands his father the microphone, but Vincenzo frowns and stalks over to me, holding the mic out.
“Your turn,” he says in a low, menacing tone.
I grip the microphone tightly to hide the tremble. Blinking out at the crowd, my nerves cloud my vision until I can’t see faces—only blurred figures. My heart slams against my chest, and I have to shove the images of Grey’s torn body from my mind so I can shove out the words Vincenzo wants to hear.
“I’d like to echo everything my fiancé said and to say thank you for the warm welcome you’ve shown me tonight. I look forward to being a part of the Diavolo family.”
The applause when I’m done is a soft roar in my ears thanks to my heart pounding loudly enough to drown it out.
Vincenzo isn’t satisfied yet, though. He lowers the mic, covering it with his hand so his voice can’t carry as he glares at us both. “Now seal it.”
I look back at him, confused, but then Grey grabs my elbow and turns me to face him, and I know exactly what he means to do. Grey steps in close, his gaze warm and reassuring as he braces his palm along my jaw.
“Pretend it’s just us,” he whispers.
Then he leans in and brushes my lips with his own.
The crowd is delighted. More applause, more smiles and whistles.
Grey’s lips curve against mine, and I find myself smiling along with him. My stomach dances with butterflies as he brushes my mouth with his. The engagement we announced might be fake, but what I feel when Grey kisses me is all too real.
Vincenzo snags the mic from my hand. “Clearly, they’re smitten,” he says with that fake charm dripping once again.
I tense, but Grey doesn’t seem done with me yet. He places another soft kiss at the edge of my mouth and another on my cheek. Finally, one more along my jaw. I relax, even knowing we’re still on full display for the crowd. Some part of me knows he’s only playing the part, convincing them this is real. But, in this moment, it is real. At least, for me.
I sigh against him, and he whispers, “Let’s get out of here.”
He pulls away, and I nod at him in relief. Hand in hand, he leads me back through the crowd. Many guests call out to him as we pass, offering warm wishes and congratulations. He smiles, nods, and keeps us moving toward the back where the exit to the elevators waits, and I’m so grateful to be done with this whole performance.
In the foyer, the woman from earlier waits.
She smiles at me. “Hello, Lexi. I’m Serena Diavolo, Jericho’s mother.”
“Hello,” I say, taking her hand in mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
I glance at Grey. “Jericho?”
“Don’t start,” he warns.
His mother looks between us, amused.
“You’ve been using an alias?” I ask.
“My middle name is Grey,” he explains.
“Jericho Grey Diavolo,” I say, and he scowls.
His mother chuckles. “He only ever heard that when there was hell to pay.”
“I’ll remember that,” I say, shooting him a smug look.
She laughs, eyes twinkling at Grey. “I like her.”
The compliment warms me, and when she looks back at me, her smile is soft but genuine. “You both did well up there.”
