“Good. Because I’m in the mood to kill someone.”
And God help whoever it ends up being.
37
Victoria
Dinner feels like a hostage negotiation.
I’m currently sitting across from him, which isn’t saying much, because this room certainly isn’t intimate.
It’s huge.
This place doesn’t fit the man I know . . . knew.
I don’t know him now.
Thetable is long enough to seat a small nation, and Lorenzo, like the asshole he is, sits at the head like he was born into royalty.
And now that I know that his uncle runs the Amante crime family . . . I guess he is.
Despite everything, the man is gorgeous. He looks like he’s carved from stone. With broad shoulders and a squared jaw, it’s unfair he’s this handsome. Don’t even get me started on his deep brown eyes.
It should be criminal how much, even after all these years, I’m still attracted to him. And of course, I’m stuck sitting across from him.
Front row to my own personal nightmare.
There’s no one else here but us. It’s odd. Why does he pick to eat here if the rest of the spots are empty?
As if he can hear my inner thoughts, Rafe steps into the room.
Good. At least with him here, I won’t have to make small talk with Lorenzo.
He leans against the doorway, deciding whether he’s going to come sit or just stare. His gaze flicks over me.
Come on . . . join us.
Please.
“What are you waiting for? Sit or leave,” Lorenzo barks out, and if I could, I’d throw my fork and stab him with it.
Rafe, on the other hand, doesn’t seem put off by Lorenzo’s attitude and chuckles.
“Wasn’t sure if you lovebirds wanted company.”
“We do.” The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop them, and Rafe can’t help but smirk.
“That’s what I thought,” he adds, before strolling toward the spot next to Lorenzo and then plopping down into the chair.
A member of the staff glides in, eyes down, hands steady, and sets a plate in front of me. I want to tell the young woman, I’m not like Lorenzo. She can make eye contact, and I won’t bite, but she’s already turned her back to me.
I can’t even identify what’s being served, but man, it smells good. My stomach growls. My lack of food today is now showing its face. In my defense, I couldn’t eat.
One: I didn’t want to bump into Lorenzo.
Two: Actually, it was just number one. I didn’t want to see him. Even now, I don’t want. But I wasn’t given a choice.
The air in this room feels heavy, and an awkward silence fills the space.
