Page 48 of Precious Hazard

“I wasn’t given a choice, Sienna. He backed me into a corner, and I can’t let him get away with it. I might have agreed, but I’ll never be who he expects me to be. So yeah, I intend to exploit every loophole, every ambiguity in that prenup filled with insulting clauses that he made me sign. I’ll be more than happy to deal with your brother’s wrath if it means I get my own chance to fuck with him.”

“Arturo would never hurt you. I know him.”

“The man you know is your brother. Arturo. The man who raised you, cared for you, loved you above all else. But he isthatman for you and your sister alone. To everyone else, he is Arturo DeVille, Salvatore Ajello’s right hand. The underboss of the New York Cosa Nostra. Ruthless. Cruel. Incapable of unselfish feelings, just as his boss is. Trust me on that.” I put my veil back in place, then grab my black clutch off the bed. “And I’ll make sure that for the rest of his life, he curses the day he decided to mess with mine.”

The sharp tap of my heels on the wooden floor breaks the abnormal silence in the mansion. As I rush down the wide stairwell, an echo from Sienna’s shimmering yellow pumps follows close behind. Almost everyone is already at the wedding venue, with only Drago and Keva remaining in the house. Both are waiting by the front door, with their faces tilted up, gaping at me as I descend.

“Tara!” Keva exclaims when I stop before them. “What in hell is this?”

“Artie and I wanted to match our outfits for our big day.” I grin. “So cute, isn’t it?”

“That’s hardly appropriate. Black is for mourning, girl, not something to be married in. Drago, please knock some sense into her and make her go change this instant.”

I steal a look at my brother, expecting him to start questioning my choice of outfit. Or, more specifically, my reasons behind it. Until this moment, I didn’t even consider that it might clue him in that something isn’t as it seems. Shit.

Drago looks me over through narrowed eyes for what feels like an eternity, then dips his head until we’re face-to-face. “Do you have something you want to tell me, sis?”

“Well”—I bite my lower lip—“I asked the guys to disassemble and pack my bookshelves, and have them moved to my new home. I hope that’s okay?”

“Of course. Anything else you want to share?” The look in his eyes grows more intense as his gaze focuses on my black veil.

“Um… I think I might have killed Norbert.”

One of his thick eyebrows shoots up.

“The peace lily you gave me. He’s down to only a handful of leaves, but I’m taking him with me anyway. With everything going on, I forgot to water him regularly. And, you know, plants need water. But I’m sure he’ll bounce back real quick. A new beginning, for the both of us.” I’m babbling like an idiot, but Drago makes me nervous as hell when he looks at me like that. As if he sees through each of my lies.

“Mm-hmm. I hope both you and the plant enjoy the change of scenery. Love the dress, by the way.” He straightens and opens the front door. “Time to go, then. Can’t haveArtieworried that you’re not coming, can we?”

“Yeah. Sure.” I force a smile and quickly dash past him.

“Oh, just one thing, Tara.”

I stop in my tracks. “Yes?”

Gravel crunches under the soles of his shoes as Drago comes up behind me. His gait is unhurried and measured. He stops right next to me and leans over to whisper in my ear.

“I love you, Tara. And I will always be here for you. No matter what happens, I’ll listen and help if you need it. Even if it’s something really bad. I know you want to do things on your own, but hopefully, you realize that you don’t have to. All you need to do is ask. Never be afraid to do that. Okay?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Also… If I ever find out that Italian schmuck has hurt you in any way… any way at all… I’m going to kill him.”

A cold shudder races down my spine. That. That’s the exact thing I was afraid of. Gathering every ounce of resolve left within me, I turn on my heel and tilt my chin up.

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. But rest assured, what I feel toward him, I’ve never felt for any other man. Trust me on that.”

***

The car door swings open.

“We’re here.”

I stare at my brother’s extended hand, unable to move. It started raining when we were halfway to the wedding venue. The sound of raindrops smashing on the roof of the car echoed inside my head, making it feel as if someone was banging a hammer against my temple. Or maybe that was just my heartbeat. My pulse skyrocketed with every mile we drew nearer.

“Tara?”

“Sorry.” I grab Drago’s hand, imagining it as a lifeline, and step out of the vehicle. “Just um… excited. And… ah… nervous, too.”

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