“Part of it.”
Our eyes met. She took my hand, her strong intent flowing from her veins to mine, but then we moved forward together. Layla had come back.
She put a hand to each hip. “Who is Knox? And why did he—” she cleared her throat “—Look at her with lust in his eyes,” she said, clearly trying to mimic an Irish accent but failing terribly. “Remembering her catholic school days.”
Eva raised her hand.
Layla turned to me. “Nick?”
I nodded, a terrible feeling washing over me.
“You gave him the time of his life, dancing with him all night. Your body was covered in sweat and pressed against his. He can still taste your skin—er, ear—on his tongue.”
“What!” I shot up. “When did he say that?”
“While you two were in the bathroom.”
“Oh hell.” I started to pace. “He went to kiss me and…I wasn’t ready. I don’t know!” I blabbered on. “I always thought of Brando when…thatmoment arrived. I’ve loved him since I was fifteen. Only two guys tried. I turned away from NickLomasand he made contact with my ear instead of my mouth. The other guy asked, and I said no.”
Ironically, both named Nick, I thought to myself.
“He stuck his tongue in your ear?” Layla wrinkled her nose.
“Like a searching tentacle,” I agreed. The vibrating, the humming, it stretched… Glancing at the balcony, the blood drained from my face. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Layla asked, following my line of sight.
“Nothing,” Eva said, standing. “Nothing. There’s no…”
The three of us charged up the stairs to the second landing, finding the room the men had occupied empty. We searched the house, only finding the women still chatting and eating more gelato.
I stormed outside, and Guido stepped out of the shadows, making me jump and scream.
“I apologize for the scare, Scarlett,” he said, raising his hands. “You cannot go any further. None of you can.”
“Why not?” I demanded.
“Your husband has ordered it.” He tilted his head toward Eva and Layla. “All men were in agreement.”
Eva and Layla glanced at each other. Blood rushed to my cheeks in a scalding hot push.
“Your husband says he will not be long. He went to have a drink.” Guido grinned, his teeth gleaming in the night.
“Where?”
“At a bar.”
“Guido…”
He took a step back.
“Where is Donato?”
“With the men.”
“My husband’s brothers?”
“Also with the men.”
