“That’s because you’re a little heathen,” Tara said fondly, and for the first time since we’d arrived, I saw the two of them smile at each other—and mean it.
Another man joined us then, appearing in the entry archway without fanfare. I noticed Teo, Gio and Luca all making the same involuntary movement when they saw him, and I realized they were reaching for non-existent guns.
At least, I hoped they were non-existent at the dinner table.
Tara, after nodding at the new arrival as he stood awkwardly in the archway, introduced him as Conor O’Hara to all of us. “He runs the security around Hillview. He’s been with the Donovans for a long time. I asked him to join us tonight because I wanted everyone to meet him. He’ll run all security while you’re here, including events on the day of Aidan’s ordination.”
None of the Morelli men said a thing.
Conor gave a lopsided smirk. “Warm welcome. Figured we could talk some over the meal about our protocols.”
Luca exchanged a glance with Teo, a silent instruction. Teo stood, crossed over to Conor. “You don’t mind if I pat you down, do you?”
Conor glanced at Tara with a wide grin. “Don’t seem like they trust me, Ms. Donovan.”
“You can trust Conor,” Tara said coldly to Teo. “And I won’t have my dinner guests insulted.”
“I mean no disrespect, Ms. Donovan, my apologies,” Teo said, but then turned to Luca for further instructions. Luca, who was focused on his plate, chewed, swallowed, and flicked his fingers.
Teo turned back to Conor and extended his hand. “Vitali,” he said as they shook. “Carlucci and me, that ugly guy at the table there—” He thumbed over his shoulder, ignoring Gio’s muttered,Hey!“—we’ll come discuss all that with you tomorrow. No need to interrupt dinner with business.” He swept his hand out to the table to indicate Luca. “This is Don Morelli,” he said.
Conor’s gaze traveled to Luca, who was sitting back in his chair now, his fingers playing with the stem of his wine glass, eyes as arrogant and cold as I’d ever seen them. Conor paused a beat, then bowed his head. “Don Morelli,” he said respectfully.
“Come and sit,” Luca said, as though the table were his.
For a moment I thought I was alone in seeing irritation cross Tara’s face before she took a long sip of her wine, her eyes on Luca.
But as Teo came back to the table I saw him exchange a glance with Gio Carlucci, a wordless comment on the shuffling for power, and I knew I wasn’t the only one who sensed the awkwardness. Finch started talking then, his usual patter, and things smoothed themselves over, but it was still a relief to me to know that Teo was alert to the emotional tides among the people in the room. He gave me a reassuring smile as he sat back down next to me, and I almost reached for his hand.
Drinking wine on top of the whiskey had not been a good idea.
* * *
“Did you change your mind?”Teo asked as we walked down the hall to our bedrooms. “About which bed you wanted?”
I knew then I reallyhaddrunk too much tonight, because the first response that popped into my head was,Yours, please.
“Aidan?” he asked, as we both entered the bedroom at the end of the hallway.
“Yes?”
“You still want this room?”
“Oh!” I let out a laugh. “Yes. Yes, please. As long as you don’t fall asleep in the bathtub again.”
He grinned at me. “Can’t promise I won’t, but Icanpromise not to have a bath again ’til you’re awake.”
“It’s a deal.” A vision of his slick body rose up in my mind again, and I couldn’t help my eyes as they went to the cross around his neck, then to the first button of his shirt. I wondered what Teo would do if I reached out and started to unbutton his shirt then and there— “Whoa.” I swayed a little, and Teo grabbed me, chuckling.
“You’re kind of a lightweight, huh?” he asked, helping me sit on the side of the bed.
“Drinking’s not really encouraged at the seminary,” I said, and then I actually hiccupped.
Teo snorted. “Yeah, I guess not. You sure you can see yourself to bed?”
“No,” I said. And then, “I mean, yes. I suppose so.”
“Here,” he said, crouching down in front of me. “Let me help you with your shoes.” He started to tug at my laces. There was a sheen across his blond head as he bent over that made me want to run my fingers over his hair.
