The combination of ballerina and kitten is perfect, and I honestly couldn’t have picked something I love more.
It's a little eerie how well he knows me.
I try on the cat ears and snap a selfie, then upload it to our chat.
BiteSizedGabi: Can’t wait to try the rest on.
Eros415: Can’t wait to ravage you in it.
BiteSizedGabi: Only if you catch me.
Eros415: You say that like you don’t know how this ends. I always win, Gabriela. The chase is a courtesy to let you think you have a chance.
BiteSizedGabi: Hmm. I guess we’ll see. How will I know what you’re wearing?
Eros415: You won’t. Remember your claim signal?
BiteSizedGabi: Venator?
Eros415: Good girl. Use it when you think I’ve caught you. I’ll respond with mine.
I forgot there were two, and I’d meant to look them up. When I pull the invitation from my nightstand, I see them together.
Venator/Praeda.
A quick search confirms they mean hunter and prey.
My stomach does a weird flip at the first word. It could be a coincidence, and it most likely is, but I feel like it’s haunting me now. Or, more accurately, maybe he is.
I collapse onto the bed, groaning when I realize my pillow still smells like him.
Yep...
Romeo Vitale is definitely haunting me.
16
GABRIELA
By the time Friday approaches,I’m full of anxious energy.
I’m excited for the manor, but I’m also nervous.
It will be the first time I see Eros since Romeo kissed me, and I just hope I can find a way to keep him from infiltrating my mind the entire night.
There’s also the small matter of the looming wedding planning and dance session with Riccardo tomorrow. I’m dreading it, but trying not to think about it.
For now, my more pressing concern is talking to Julian. I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to go about it, and when I finally approach him after school, he arches a brow at me.
“Can I help you with something, Miss Bianchi?”
Guilt knots my stomach as I remember the way he’s protected me. I wasn’t sure about him initially, but he’s turned out to be a good guy. I know a lot of women in my world feel like their guards are their wardens, but I like Julian. I don’t want to lie to him, and I feel I owe him some loyalty after the way he covered for me with Riccardo.
“About tonight.” I twist my hands together in front of me as I rock back on my heels. “I have a thing?—”
“I know,” he says. “I saw the event populate on your calendar.”
“You did?” I ask before correcting myself. “I mean, right. Of course.”
