Page 89 of Virtuous Lies

Pain etches itself across her face, but too consumed with his irritation, my husband doesn’t notice. “Enzosuggested his brother?”

“He’s a good fit. He’s second-in-command, Gabriella. No one in their right mind would cause an issue with your existence if you were linked to theboss.”

She swallows indignantly. “Why not Enzo then?”

Vincent frowns. “You’re too young for him.”

“He’s younger than you,” she disputes. “I’m the same age as Bianca.”

He shrugs. “Bianca’s and my relationship is none of your concern. You will marry Leo.”

“I don’t want Leo.”

“I didn’t want your brother to begin with,” I comfort her.

Vincent growls.

“But I love him now. If you open yourself up to it—”

“I will neveropenmyself up to Leo,” she snarks. “Enzo and his ideas can get fucked.”

“Charming,” Enzo startles Gabriella and she scowls.

I duck my head in greeting.

Enzo sits down without an invitation. “Have we located the whore?”

“Apparently, she’s right here,” Gabriella bites, gesturing to herself. “Sold off to the first willing bachelor.”

Enzo smirks. “I wouldn’t exactly call Leo willing.”

Gabriella’s eyes narrow. “Well, that makes two of us.”

“Leo is popular with women. He’ll please you.”

My eyes widen. Gabriella’s turn to slits. “Are you thinking about your brother fucking me?” she snarls, leaning into thebossof the family.

I want to scream at her to watch her mouth. Enzo despises disrespect. He’d be ruthless enough to marry her off to Big Joey instead.

“Are you thinking about him making me come?” she whispers.

Something fierce crosses Enzo’s face. A look of regret and misery, a dash ofjealousytwisting his lips and hooding his eyes.

Vincent slams a fist into the table, an uncommon public outburst of aggression hushing the noise in the restaurant. Gabriella looks ready to burst into tears. Instead, she jumps to her feet, grabbing her bag and running for the door.

I stand. “I’m going with her.”

Vincent dips his chin. “Have Andre drop you both home. I’ll be there shortly.”

twenty-one

Itext Gabriella again.

After yesterday's bombshell, she’d locked herself in her apartment and had refused to let me in.

My phone chimes in my hand, and I almost drop it in shock. Vincent stirs beside me, and I turn my phone on silent, dimming the screen so I don’t wake him.

He rarely sleeps.

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