Dad will blow a gasket.
He’ll probably eviscerate me over breakfast.
And Fina will get it in the neck around the same time.
Chiara is oblivious to the carnage she’s causing and probably wouldn’t care if she did know.
With a bland smile and murmured promises of a hefty campaign donation, I drag her away from the mayor before she can wax lyrical about her imaginary drug regimen.
“Fina will have a nightmare dealing with the stories your bullshit act is generating this evening,” I hiss once we’re out of earshot of nearby guests. The urge to drag her back into that side room and spank her ass into submission rides me hard.
The blind auction begins in ten minutes, and I’m expected to give a brief speech and then bid stupid money on things I don’t want. All to raise money for tonight’s charity.
“Why will Fina have a nightmare?” Chiara’s grin falls away.
“Our father will read the papers tomorrow and blame her for the shit your Oscar-winning performance has generated.”
“Oh.” She has the grace to look guilty before her murderous expression returns. “It’s your fucking fault for contriving such a dumb story!” Venom drips from her pouty red lips, and I lose focus for a moment, imagining those lips wrapped around my cock.
“You’re not even fucking listening to me!” She’s correct, but I roll my eyes.
“Kids, can we keep a lid on it, please?” My sister’s voice breaks through the swirling tension between Chiara and me. The tense smile on her face tells me she’s not enjoying this gala. Travis Marconi is nowhere to be seen, thank god. I can’t stand the guy.
“Oh, hey, Fina.” Chiara offers Fina a cautious, slightly apologetic smile.
“Hey.” Fina straightens her shoulders and focuses on me. “Please don’t mess this up, Angelo. I need you to mention the foundation and remind people of the work we’re doing. Maybe that will distract them from the mess that is your private life.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Chiara chews her lip and looks at the floor. My sister, being the angel she is, pats Chiara’s arm.
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t want to come, and honestly, I don’t blame you for acting out. If I were you, I’d be angry and upset too.” Fina’s eyes are suspiciously shiny, and I wonder why her professional mask has slipped.
I slant a look at Kane, and he nods. He’ll check in with Matteo to find out what’s caused my usually unflappable sister to lose her cool.
“You’d be calm and polite,” Chiara disagrees with a faint smile. “Oh, and thank you for this lovely dress.” She gestures at her exquisite dress.
Fina frowns. “Angelo chose it. Didn’t he tell you?”
“Um no, I assumed it came from you.”
Chiara picks at the skirt of the dress I spent a fucking fortune on because I knew it would look amazing on her. And it does.
If she didn’t make me so fucking insane, I’d buy her anything she wanted.
Several long seconds pass while Fina’s gaze flips back and forth between me and Chiara.
“I don’t need anything from you,” my wife snarls eventually, her lips curled in derision. “Except a fucking divorce.”
I stare out at the sea of faces as the chatter dies. Fina is a much better public speaker than I am. I find threats more efficient, but I can be charming when I have to be.
“Thank you all for coming this evening,” I begin while keeping one eye on Chiara. Kane stands at her shoulder, with Fina to her left. The odious Travis Marconi has reappeared, much to everyone’s disgust. Drunk as a skunk, and from his dilated pupils, he’s done a few lines in the toilet.
Why our father thinks he’s a good match for Fina is beyond me. I fully expect the weasel to meet an unfortunate end atMatteo’s hand before the night ends. And from the way Kane grimaces when Marconi tries to grope Fina’s ass, he agrees.
Fina not so subtly shoves Marconi away, catching Chiara’s attention and causing me to lose the thread of what I was saying. I clear my throat and smile, hoping my good looks and charming personality are enough to save me.
They’re not.
A few guests frown. They must have heard the whispers about my insane wife.
