“No need to scold me,plemyannitsa.It’s not like I’m going to kill her now.”
Killing Isobel, now that she’s Marcello’s, would be a death sentence.
And dying isn’t in my plans. Not when I still have a full life with Stella to look forward to.
“I would love to see you try,” Isobel shoots back, with a mocking smirk that almost puts mine to shame.
Almost.
“Sass. I like her.” I laugh. “Women with fire in their veins always make life more interesting, don’t you agree?” I grin, before looking over my shoulder just to get another look at my soul. My heart cracks down the middle when she doesn’t return my gaze, too focused on greeting her guests. “Just be careful, Romano. In my experience, the ones who set your blood on fire are usually the ones who cast the coldest shadows too.”
My sorrow must be written all over my face, because before I know it, Kira is already tugging at my wrist, wanting to lead me away.
“Um… come, Uncle. Let’s go find Darius. He’ll be excited to see you.”
I nod. But before I get too far, I glance back at Marcello and find myself imparting a few last words of wisdom. “If you love her, hold on tight. Women like her are like embers. Youmight think you’ve tamed them, but they can flare up without warning.”
Confusion mars Marcello’s features as my niece drags me away from him and his girlfriend.
“Out of all my uncles, I didn’t think I’d have to worry about you, Uncle Kill,” Kira whispers nervously beside me, while leading me further within the swarm of guests. “Kostya, definitely, but not you. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“Ahh, my sweetplemyannitsa. No one would dare hurt me today. Not here,” I retort, my eyes once again finding Stella, hating that there is still a sea of distance between us.
I need to hold her.
Kiss her.
Beg her to reconsider her decision and just be mine.
Be mine like I am hers.
God, how many fucking guests are going to come to this fucking party?!
And does she really need to greet each one? Enough already!
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Kira mutters at my side.
It’s the worry in her voice that has me taking my eyes off Stella just to follow Kira’s line of sight.
Blyad.
The Crane twins are staring at me like they can already smell blood in the water. Like they would love nothing more than to kill me where I stand.
“I see Jude and his lovely wife brought an entourage with them.”
“Of course, they did. Remus and Rolo are family too.” She shrugs like it should be obvious to me.
“No, my darling, Kira,” I coo, thankful that her boyfriend got lost in the crowd so I can speak freely. “You’re family. Darius is family. And yes, I’ll even accept Mina as part of the Romanohousehold. But those two?” I tilt my chin toward the psycho twins. “They’re a powder keg waiting to happen.”
“And your presence might be just the excuse they need to light the fuse,” she says quietly, worry creasing her brow.
“Their animosity isn’t with me. Sasha is the bane of their existence.”
“I hope you’re right. Still… I’d feel a whole lot better if I stick by your side for the rest of the day.”
“Very well. Just as long as you leave me enough room to talk to my girl.”
“Is that really wise, Uncle?” she asks, her concern aimed at my heart instead of my neck this time. “You’ve been hurting for so long. I’d hate to see her break your heart again. I love Stella like a sister, but I can’t bear watching you like this. These last couple of months, it’s felt like you’ve been walking around like some kind of zombie. Even Uncle Kostya’s worried and he never worries about anything.”
