His lips twitch. “Ah, yes. The photograph.”
“You saw it, and yet you never held me accountable. Why is that?”
“Conti was a sniveling idiot who held power only because of those who were loyal to his father. Like you said, we are neighbors. I knew you were steadying the ship and building it. I knew you would seize power one day. We don’t tend to get involved in other families’ business unless it’s necessitated. The Commission was in its infancy with many other pressing problems to deal with.”
“Timing was my ally.”
He nods. “Yes, but we also learned your husband was a sick pedophile who preyed on innocent children. You rid the world of a monster. I lost no sleep over his death, and I’m glad you made him suffer.”
Goddamn it. Why does this man make it so hard to hate him?
“Boss,” a man says, materializing behind us. “The Grecoes are here.”
Ben drains his beer before setting it down on the coffee table. “Stay here. I will escort our guests.” He fights an obvious smile. “Take a few moments to prepare yourself.”
Well, that’s reassuring.
“Remember you haven’t committed to anything,” Dario says in a low tone, moving in a little closer. “Only the inner circle knows your true goals. You can back out without shame. No one would blame you if you can’t go through with this. We will find another way.”
“I’m not backing out, but I appreciate your concern. I would rather you diverted your efforts to getting Renzo on board.”
“He will respect your decision,” he says, looking over his shoulder. “They are here.” He stands, offering me his hand. I hold on to him and pull myself to a standing position as Renzo walks toward me.
“Remember what we discussed,” I warn him in a low tone. He has never made a scene before, but I have never seen him like this.
“No fucking way,” he hisses, his eyes popping wide as he glances behind me.
Slowly, I turn around, and all the air punches from my lungs when I lock eyes with the man approaching alongside Ben.
My memories haven’t done him justice, or perhaps he has gotten even hotter since I last saw him. Words escape me as I stare at the man who has had a starring role in my dreams for the past five years.
His startled gaze mirrors my own, and Ben’s brow puckers as his gaze bounces between us. They come to a standstill at the back of the couch as I struggle to grasp the reality of the situation. If that man is Massimo—and there’s a ninety-nine percent chance he is—I can’t go through with this marriage. Disappointment churns with confusion and desire as we stare at one another.
I don’t even notice the other men from their party coming up at the rear. I can’t tear my eyes from the hot stranger.
“Okaaaay.” Ben’s eyes dart from the stranger to me. “I’m clearly missing something here.” He turns to the man beside him. “Are introductions required, Massimo, or do you already know Donna Conti?”
The most dazzling smile stretches across his mouth. “Oh, we most certainly know one another.”
His tone is suggestive in the extreme, leaving no one in any doubt of how we are acquainted. I level him with a sharp look. “It was a long time ago. I barely remember.”
He chuckles, and the sound reverberates in every part of my being. “Liar.” He wets his lips and moves forward, walking swiftly around the couch until he’s standing right in front of me. “You are even more beautiful than I remember.” Taking my hand, he raises it to his lips, planting a firm kiss to my knuckles. “Not married this time.” His eyes dart over my head, and I can tell his glare is directed at Renzo. I’m vaguely conscious of Sierra whispering to Ben from behind us. Massimo keeps a firm hold of my hand as he bends down, pressing his hot mouth against my ear. “I recall the last words I said to you that day at the airport. Do you?” Mischief dances in his eyes, and I don’t want to play this game.
This has thrown me for a loop, and I need to regroup.
“I said ‘If you were single, I would marry the fuck out of you.’” He nips my earlobe with his teeth. “Is it irony or fate that it’s now coming true?”
ChapterSix
Massimo
“Absurdity is the word you’re looking for,” she coolly replies, seeming to compose herself. She was definitely rattled when I first appeared, and I can relate to the sentiment. It blows my mind thatshe’sDonna Conti, and it changeseverything.
“I prefer destiny.” I waggle my brows and flash her a flirty smile.
“It’s more like a travesty,” she retorts, yanking her hand from mine and stepping back.
“It’s karma.”
