“I’m doing good,” I lied, trying not to wince from the way he hugged me.
I wasn’t good. I haven’t been good for a long time, but I had to keep that to myself.
“Just making sure,” he said. “We haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve been meaning to stop by, but you know life gets in the way some time.”
I didn’t miss Dorian’s glare. He hated when Gianni or Phoenix asked anything about what we’d been up to, but the truth was I’d been hiding. I knew Phoenix had been too busy with the kids and the pregnancy to stop by and see me. And I’d been nursing more bruises lately. Dorian had been pissed more with his family’s business and had been drinking more. So, I’d been dealing with the backlash.
Gianni let me go. “Everyone’s in the dining room.”
As he led us toward the dining room, dread coiled inside my gut. I just knew this night wasn’t going to end well, but there was no way I could stop it.
Gianni entered before we did, going to the head of the table where my sister sat to his right. Laughter spilled from around the table. Casual and normal, which was strange for the Puglisi brothers. For as long as I’d known them, they’d hated one another. I wasn’t around Lorenzo or Dante much, but when I was with Sergio, he didn’t speak highly of his brothers. Tonight, they seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Maybe there was hope for them to fix whatever was wrong between them.
Black lanterns hung on the walls, lighting up the dining room. White linen curtains billowed in the breeze, brushing against the black metal dining chairs. The scent of oregano and roasted lamb clung to the air.
My husband schooled his features so no one could tell anything was wrong. “Smile, sweetheart,” Dorian whispered in my ear, the warning clear in his tone. “We don’t need anyone in our business. It won’t turn out well for anyone.”
I understood the threat. And I knew it wouldn’t turn out well for everyone if I didn’t play my part.
He kissed me on the temple, and it took everything in me not to turn away from him. I hated his touch. I hated him.
As soon as we stepped into the doorway of the dining room, the room stilled. Everyone’s attention turned to us. The family sat clustered around the table except for the children. Phoenix looked at me and smiled, but then her smile fell away. I didn’t know what she saw, but concern crossed her face. I smiled, hoping it would ease any worry or anger, but I knew my sister. The questions were coming, and I had no clue how to answer them.
And then there was Sergio.
He sat at the far end of the table next to a beautiful woman, with his back straight, and his jaw tight. His gaze met mine, but once again I averted mine just to keep him from seeing things were not going great for me. He had already seen too much.
I hadn’t seen him in a long time. Not since I asked him to leave me alone at my engagement party. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. But now he’d moved on, and so had I.Maybe he’ll keep his distance tonight so when I returned home it wouldn’t be worse than it would already be.
“Have a seat.”
Gianni motioned to the two empty chairs next to Lorenzo and Dante’s wife. I’d met her a few times, but I couldn’t remember her name.
“Everyone, you all know Phoenix’s sister, Seraphina,” Gianni said. “And this is her husband, Dorian.”
Murmurs of hello went around the room.
“Glad you two could make it,” Phoenix said, but her voice held a tinge of anger.
“Thanks again for inviting us,” Dorian said, as he pulled out my seat like the gentleman he wished to portray to the outside world.
I sat down, and then he helped me move it closer to the table before sitting beside me. Despite my shaky hands, I clasped them in my lap, maintaining a perfect posture and practiced smile. However, from across the table, I felt Phoenix and Sergio’s gazes locked onto me.
“Sera, are you alright?” Phoenix asked, and my gaze lifted to my sister. “You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine.”
I noticed Sergio’s head tilt from the corner of my eye before I looked away from my sister. He used to know all my tells. The way I bit the inside of my cheek when I lied or the way I avoided eye contact when scared.
Tonight, I did both.
“She’s been tired,” Dorian answered after taking a sip of the wine the staff just poured. “She’s not been sleeping well.”
“Maybe you’re pregnant,” the woman sitting beside Sergio said.
I looked in her direction, trying to wipe the horror from my face.
