“He’s in his forties,” she points out.
“He’s probably the best of the bunch,” I admit, not liking it any more than she does.
“And he won’t change his mind?”
I take a seat next to her and grab her hand. Luka would be better at this than I. Chiara too. But I have to man up and be the big brother she needs.
“I’ll give it another shot soon, but at the moment, he’s not budging. He’s told Francesca she can have your job.”
Fina laughs derisively. “Seriously? That stupid whore has no fucking clue what I do.”
“Yeah, she’s deluded.” Tears trickle down her wan cheeks, and she hurriedly wipes them away. I hate seeing my sister hurt like this. All my life, I’ve tried to protect her from our father’s excesses, but I’m struggling to think of a way to make my father change his mind about this.
The problem is, he doesn’t see Fina—or any woman—as a person. To him, women are tools to use for gain. But I can’t tell Fina this.
“I know it seems hopeless, Fina, but I’ll find a way out of this agreement. Trust me.”
She sniffs and gives me a weak smile.
“I trust you.”
When I turn my attention away from Fina, Chiara stands in the doorway, wrapped in a robe with her hair pinned up in a messy bun. She looks like a million dollars, even without a scrap of makeup on.
“You’d better figure something out,” she growls. “Fina can’t marry this asshole.”
That she’s willing to go to bat for my sister is no surprise. Of course she’s on Fina’s side. The two of them have bonded.
“I will,” I promise despite having no fucking clue how I’m going to fix this.
19
Chiara
Angelo’s hand on my lower back is firm as he pushes me forward. The dress he’s chosen for tonight’s charity gala in aid of the women’s shelter the family funds is a deep midnight blue. It brings out the sapphire in my eyes, and even though I dislike being treated as a dress-up mannequin, the man has good taste.
Fina cried off tonight’s festivities. The official line is she has stomach flu, but it’s more that being pregnant is kicking her ass. I caught her throwing up this morning. The poor woman is struggling with raging morning sickness. How nobody else has figured out she’s pregnant is a miracle.
Luckily for her, Angelo is much too distracted by all the problems he’s having to realize his sister has a baby on the way.
Luka’s cried off, too. He told me two days ago he’d scored an audition with a casting director for a small part on a daytime soap. He’s very excited about it, and I’m excited for him.
This part came about because of a funny skit video he posted on TikTok, which went viral. He filmed himself acting out a scene from a recent blockbuster movie using household itemsas props. Honestly, it was hilarious while also showing off his acting chops.
My guy has talent, and I’m thrilled the rest of the world is finally beginning to see he’s more than a pretty face.
Tonight’s gala is being held at the Aurora Luxe Hotel, the newest addition to the chain of casino hotels the family owns. The theme isJames Bond 007, Licensed to Thrill.
When I asked Angelo if he wanted to use Felix as a prop for his Blofeld costume, he didn’t find it funny. Instead, he’s all dolled up in a black tuxedo with diamond cufflinks that probably cost more than some African country’s national debt.
Looking around the room, where the rich and philanthropic rub shoulders with A-listers, it’s clear theactualtheme tonight is gaudy excess with a side of entitlement.
While the aim is to raise money for a new women’s shelter, among other things, most people are here to see and be seen. That they can offset their tax bill with a hefty charity donation is just the icing on the cake.
An older man with snow-white hair and beady little eyes traps Angelo in a conversation about a property development project. After five minutes, I’m bored out of my skull and ready for a bathroom break.
I took advantage of the champagne the moment we arrived, downing a glass within five minutes.
The second glass I consumed less than thirty minutes later means my bladder is protesting.
