The guard at the gate welcomes us, and we pass through and park on the cobblestone drive. Angelo comes around to open my door and help me out.
“This is yours?” I ask.
“It’s a Vitale family property.” He presses a hand to my lower back and watches as I take it all in.
The house is a classic Riviera-style architecture with cream stucco walls, arched doors, and terraced gardens that perfume the air with jasmine and orange blossoms. At the center of it all is a shimmering blue pool, and off to the side an al-fresco dining area surrounded by olive trees.
It’s incredible, and I’m at a loss for words as Angelo leads me inside.
“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Vitale.” A petite brunette woman greets us with a tray of champagne. “From the entire household, I’d like to wish you congratulations on your happy marriage.”
A frisson of tension pulses through Angelo’s jaw as he nods and thanks her. It’s a safe assumption that it was thehappy marriageremark he didn’t like.
I muster a smile and take a glass of champagne, avoiding Angelo’s gaze. The woman introduces herself as Camille, thechatelainein charge of managing the household.
“We may have time to squeeze in a short tour, Mrs. Vitale,” she offers. “The guests will be arriving soon?—”
“That’s okay,” I thank her. “The tour can wait.”
This place is beautiful, but there’s no point getting attached. I’ll probably never see it again.
“As you wish.” She nods. “If you need anything, please let me know.”
After she takes her leave, Angelo checks his watch. “I need to make a call before dinner.”
“Okay. I’d like to get some fresh air.”
He searches my eyes, unhappy by whatever it is he sees there, but he doesn’t argue. “Don’t wander too far.”
I nod and leave him to make his call as I retreat the same way we entered. The interior of the house is drenched in opulence with marble floors, sweeping ceilings, and gilded fixtures. But what I really want to see are the gardens and the view.
I step outside and amble over to the rose bushes, pausing to admire the glittering lights of the city below us. It feels like I’m on top of the world here.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
I pivot in the direction of the voice, my skin crawling the moment I see Carlo Pagnotto standing there. His beady eyes feast on my body like I might be his next meal, and I find myself having an awful thought. He was on my father’s list of potential suitors.So why didn’t Il Diavolo kill him?
“Abella fuckin’ Moretti.” He lets out a low whistle. “You look like a gift from heaven in that dress.”
“It’s Vitale,” I correct him.
He scrubs a hand over his jaw, eyes narrowing slightly. “That’s right. You climbed your way all the way to the top, didn’t you?”
I don’t miss the insinuation in his words. He wouldn’t dare say that in front of Angelo, but because he’s got me alone, he thinks he can get away with it. He’s either forgotten I have the Vitale name to protect me now, or he’s too stupid for his own good.
“What can I say?” I smile sweetly. “Angelo is the kind of man who makes a woman want to climb all over him. I hope there are no hard feelings, Carlo.”
“Make no mistake, I let him have you.” He closes the distance between us, his voice hardening. “No piece of pussy is worth whatever he paid. But maybe I should’ve shelled out the extra cash after all. I would have enjoyed breaking you.”
God, this man is disgusting. I hate that my father auctioned me off to the highest bidder, and everyone knows it. Carlo Pagnotto is the scum of the earth, and I can’t imagine why Angelo would think he was worth keeping around.
Before he killed his wife, he put her through years of abuse. She came to Aegis for help, but ultimately, she didn’t get out in time. I doubt he lost a moment’s sleep over what he did to her.
I can’t even look at his face without feeling the urge to vomit. So when Angelo steps out of the shadows and pulls me back against him, I breathe a sigh of relief. His solid warmth at myback feels like a sanctuary, and as he slides an arm around my front protectively, he’s sending a clear message.
His.
“Carlo.” His voice is quiet and restrained. “Following my wife into dark corners?”
