A faint blush touched her cheeks, quick, almost invisible – butIsaw it. Ialwayssaw it.
She masked it with a scoff. “You think you’re so charming–”
“No,princesa.” I smirked. “I know.”
She laughed sardonically, shaking her head and letting her hair fall over one shoulder instead. She thought shecould hide her reaction in irritation, bury it beneath that iron spine of hers.
Her blush betrayed her again, no matter how hard she bit her cheek.
God, I loved watching Francesca DeMone try not to fall apart for me…
“You’re not listening,” she said, her voice low but steady, careful to keep her words precise even over the hum of music from the ballroom. “This is a big deal, Matteo.”
God I loved my name on her lips…
I swirled the liquor in my glass, watching the amber liquid catch the light before bringing my eyes back to her. “Funny,” I murmured, “I don’t see your father here making this speech. Just you.”
“He doesn’t need to be here. I speak for him.”
God, that pride.
Thatfire.
It was enough to make a lesser man retreat.
I stepped forward, slow, deliberate. She held her ground.
Now, we were close. Too close. The party carried on around us, blurred and irrelevant. All I saw was Francesca DeMone, chin tipped up at me like she refused to admit I could unsettle her.
I tilted my head, letting the shadows cut across my face as I studied her. “It’s almost like you werelookingfor my attention tonight.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“And yet,” I leaned close enough for my words to brush her ear, low and teasing, “You came to find me this time.”
Her glare sharpened instantly. “You’re nothing more than a business associate.”
I smirked, straightened, and let the moment stretch.
“Sure I am, Francesca.”
Without another word, I set my glass on a passing tray and walked away, leaving my littleDonnastanding there, furious – andthinking about me.
I was on the other side of the bar, laughing with Gìo and Zane, when it happened.
A glass shattered.
A gasp from a couple of our friends.
Zach was squeezing his eyes closed, a hand pressed to his chest. Slightly slouching forward, his hand gripping the bar counter.
I rushed over, pushing through the small crowd. “You good, man?”
“I’m fine…” He groaned, rubbing a hand across his chest.
I placed my hand on his back, trying to guide him towards the couches. “Let’s sit down for a moment–”
“Get off me.” Zach pushed me away, making me take a couple steps back. His chest was raising with heavy breaths, anger in his eyes. “I’m good.”
