Her skin was a warm brown, glowing with undertones of amber and mahogany, and her long hair cascaded down her back in thick, lustrous waves. Her features were striking—high cheekbones, full lips, and dark brown eyes. She was beautiful and Sergio’s type.
“You’re a nurse, aren’t you, Rachel?” Gianni asked.
She nodded, smiling. “Yes, five years now.”
“That’s what we’re hoping for,” Dorian said. “Isn’t it, baby?”
I took a sip of wine to quench my parched throat. “It is.”
But I couldn’t look my sister in the eyes because she would know I was lying. Dorian knew I couldn’t have children. He was just trying to get under my skin and Sergio’s.
I was so thankful when two more staff members entered the dining room and placed our food on the table. It would take the attention off my non-pregnancy.
With dinner being served, the dining room buzzed with overlapping voices, forks clinking against ceramic as people ate, everyone laughed as wine glasses were refilled. I watched as my sister leaned into Gianni, whispering something that made him smirk.
I envied my sister’s relationship. Although they had their ups and downs, they loved each other no matter what. I wanted that kind of love.
I made sure I drew little attention to myself. I smiled when spoken to, nodded when appropriate, but you didn’t hear my voice above the hum of conversation. No one noticed the role I played.
Except him.
Sergio sat across from me, not close enough to speak without drawing attention, but close enough to watch. He didn’t eat much. Didn’t laugh even when his date tried to garner his attention. His eyes kept drifting past the wine, past the noise to me. Even though I did my best to hide the truth, Sergio was too observant when it came to me. He always had been.
“He’s been staring at you since we walked inside the fucking house,” Dorian whispered to me while slicing a piece of lamb. “Maybe I need to put him in his place since he can’t keep his eyes off what’s mine. Or in his grave. Which do you prefer?”
“Dorian, please don’t,” I pleaded. “I can’t control what he does, but if you do anything, there are four of them, and only one of you.”
He didn’t say anything else, but the tick of his jaw let me know he wasn’t happy with my response. But no matter how much these men did not like each other, they were Puglisis. Brothers. If you messed with one, you messed with them all.
“Could you please excuse us.” Phoenix rose to her feet. “Seraphina, could you come with me, please?”
I took a sip of wine, before rising to my feet. Dorian’s eyes were burning into the side of my head. But he had nothing to worry about. He made it clear what would happen if I ever told my sister about the abuse. I refused to put her or her family in danger.
She looped her arm through mine as we walked out of the dining room together. I released a breath because I wasn’t under the watchful eye of Dorian or Sergio anymore, but I knew my sister was getting ready to grill me.
When we stepped onto the back terrace, she took a seat, and I sat across from her. “What the hell is going on? And don’t fucking lie to me, Sera. I see the damn bruise on your arm.”
“You know how clumsy I am.”
I brushed off her concern. What else could I do?
“Don’t give me that bullshit.”
“Phee, calm down. You’re pregnant.”
“I don’t give a damn. I need to know why you have bruises. And don’t think I haven’t noticed the makeup either.”
Shit!
“I promise nothing is going on.”
“I don’t believe you.” She glared at me. “I know the signs of abuse, Sera. I was once married to a sadistic motherfucker, or did you forget?”
No, I hadn’t forgotten Lio, but that was her life and this was mine. I was trying to survive.
“Phee…”
“Is everything alright out here?” Dorian asked, looking at us.
