After I hang up, I sit in the quiet of my bedroom and stare at the phone in my hands. Tomorrow night, I'll have to pretend everything is normal. I'll have to smile and laugh and act like my world isn't falling apart, like I'm not terrified that my father's mistakes will get the people I love killed.
And I'll have to do it all while sitting next to Marco, pretending that what happened between us last night doesn't change everything.
I just hope I can pull it off.
CHAPTER 23
Marco
Things between Elenaand me have been less than ideal since that night against her door. If she's not responding to me in short, clipped phrases, she's avoiding me altogether. I much prefer the flirty, bratty side of her to this arctic treatment.
Our kiss was electric—I know she felt it too. I felt like I was going to combust from her touch, and goddamn does she look stunning when she comes. I wanted so badly to strip off her pants and thrust into her, to feel her come around my cock instead of just against me.
But I walked away instead.
Because she's still lying to me. Still keeping secrets that could get her killed. And until she trusts me with the truth—all of it—I have to be the rational one. We can't keep playing these games when there's so much deception between us.
The frustrating part is that she's only given me fragments. She won't tell me the context of her meetings with Marcello, Ronan, or her father. She didn't even mention the asshole who grabbed her.
Tonight, Vito has a strategy meeting with the heads of the Commission. He's invited family to join us for dinner afterward,which means I'll be escorting Elena. I've reminded her twice today what time we need to leave, but she's ignored me both times.
The sound of her bedroom door opening breaks through my thoughts. When she comes into view, I nearly lose my breath.
She's wearing a long gold dress that brushes the floor, with one strap sliding off her shoulder to expose smooth, tanned skin. The fabric clings to every curve, and I want nothing more than to grab those luscious hips and pull her against me.
I clear my throat and force myself to stop ogling her, but it's too late. She's already caught me staring. I stand from the couch and button my suit jacket.
"You look beautiful," I tell her honestly.
I lean in to give her a kiss on the cheek—something that would be perfectly normal—but she steps back and thrusts her overnight bag at me instead.
"Would you carry this for me... please?" The word sounds like it physically pains her to say.
"Sure," I reply flatly.
The ride to Vito's is silent except for the soft tapping of Elena's fingers on her phone. I glance over and see she's texting Becca, sending photos of her dress.
When we arrive at Central Park Tower, I step out first and turn to offer Elena my hand. She doesn't take it. As she maneuvers out on her own, I notice she's wearing bedazzled sneakers with her formal dress.
Despite my frustration, I smile. This girl wouldn't wear heels to save her life.
In the elevator, she looks around curiously. "We aren't going to Vito's penthouse?"
"Vito’s trying out a new location. Something about wanting to respect Rina’s wishes that there be a little less business conducted at their home."
"Oh." That's all I get from her.
The elevator doors open and we walk toward the grand salon. I keep my hands to myself—very deliberately. Vito's warning echoes in my head:Keep it professional. She's family.
So that's exactly what I do. I don't touch her back. Don't take her hand. Don't make any of the possessive gestures that are screaming to get out.
Elena notices. I can tell by the way she glances at me sideways, confusion flickering across her face. She expected me to stake some kind of claim like I did at the club. Instead, I'm treating her like a distant cousin I'm obligated to escort.
Everyone offers polite waves or nods. Rina rushes over to hug Elena enthusiastically.
"I'm so glad you're here!" Rina grabs Elena's hand. "Come on, I need girl talk."
Elena lets herself be pulled away without looking back at me.
