“We’re here,” I said softly.
***
When we approached the front door, I took Alisa’s hand in mine and squeezed it. I felt her trembling beside me when we’d walked up the steps and sensed she was nervous. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. Usually, they’re all such a bunch of loudmouths, you’d have to fight to get a word in.”
“I hope so,” she muttered. “Because I have no idea what I’ll say to them.”
“Just follow my lead.” I squeezed again and rang the bell.
We both stood frozen on the spot—Alisa, because this was all too much for her. Me, because I knew I was about to get fucked.
It was too late to turn back now. Tonight, I had to come clean, consequences be damned.
Caspian swung the door open with a smile on his face, and I winced when his eyes landed on Alisa and narrowed, before they turned to mine.
“Dante,” he said in as neutral turn as he could muster. “You brought company, I see.”
“Oh, hello,” Alisa said sweetly, giving out her hand. “Alisa Montes.”
“Caspian Lebedev.” My brother shook her hand, but the whole time, I saw his jaw remain clenched.
Oh, he was pissed. He definitely recognized her. Damn his wretched memory.
Caspian let go of Alisa’s hand and moved aside, letting us both pass. I felt my heart race as we walked to the dining room, where I knew our family was gathered.
“So tell me, how do you know Dante?” Caspian asked Alisa.
“Dante?” Alisa looked confused, her eyes turning to me with wide-swept panic. “Why, he’s my—”
“Caspian.” I ripped off the bandage. “Stop interrogating my wife.”
The word ‘wife’ hung in the air like a bomb waiting to detonate.
“Your wife?” Caspian hissed, gripping my arm and pulling me to a standstill.
“Your family doesn’t know?” Alisa squealed.
I looked between them both and felt my neck redden.
I saw Caspian shooting darts at me, but much to my surprise, he straightened his shoulders and shot Alisa a smile. “I do now, and it doesn’t matter,” he said kindly.
“Now come.” His eyes flicked to me, promising a conversation later. “Everyone’s in the dining room. We were just about to start.”
We followed him through the door and were instantly met with the roaring sounds of laughter and conversation.
“Dante’s here,” Caspian announced as we entered. “And he’s brought his wife.”
The room fell silent instantly.
Time stood still.
And I noticed each shocked reaction.
My brothers stared at me like I’d lost my damn mind, while my sisters exchanged wide-eyed glances across the table. Gastone, my brother-in-law, leaned toward his sister Larissa, who was also married to my brother Gio, and murmured something under his breath I couldn’t catch.
“Wife?” Giovanni was the first to rise. “Is this your idea of a joke, brother?”
“I’ve got a better sense of humor.” I shrugged casually and led a very nervous Alisa to an empty chair. “Alisa and I got married almost two months ago.”
