“Pfft. Family. As if that means anything.”
“Don’t do that, Bell. We are all each other has. You, me, and Vittorio. And soon to be Leonardo. We’re family, and we need to learn to trust each other and rely on each other. Only then can we fully take over and destroy the rest of the Syndicate.”
I nod. I know she’s right. I have to trust her and my brother, but it’s always been just me.
“Let’s go meet your fiancé.” She winks at me and slides her arm through mine, leading me to the door. I don’t stop her, but I scowl at her again all the same.
Stepping through the halls and into the main living and dining areas, and finally into the ballroom, there are people everywhere. I curl my lip as I scan the area. Arianna tugs at my arm.
“Tone it down, Bell.” But then I see him walk into the room alone, glancing around with a glass of champagne clutched in his hand. I slip out of Arianna’s hold and stalk towards him.
“I hope you like the suit?”
“You sent it?” I nod, and he blows out a breath. I can’t help but notice the marks on his face and neck. He flinches as my hand reaches towards his face. There’s a coldness that spreads over me, my body tenses, and he tenses in return.
I lift my hand, and it connects with his cheek as I brush my thumb over one of the scratches.
My voice comes out as a low rumble. “Who did this to you?”
He shakes his head. But I growl, and he pulls back a little. His eyes widen at the snarl that spreads across my face. He physically shudders. My grip tightens against His jaw.
“Who fucking did this to you, Leonardo?” He takes a breath. He freezes. He reaches up and moves my hand away from his face.
“It was an accident. Sports, huh, you know what I mean.”
I reach for him again, but he steps back, putting space between us.
“Bellino.” Enzo’s voice cuts through the air. I notice the look on Leonardo’s face. The way his gaze drops to the floor when Enzo approaches. I shake his hand, stepping in front of Leonardo. Instinctively keeping space between them, we exchange pleasantries for a while, but Leonardo never moves from behind me.
“I need to get my fiancé a drink. Thank you for coming, Enzo.” I cut him off. I reach behind me and take Leonardo’s hand, dragging him through the party. I take him straight to the bar. I hold up two fingers as we approach, and by the time we arrive, the two glasses are waiting on the bar.
“Don’t drink that shit.” I snatch the champagne out of his hand, thrusting the bourbon towards him. He stares at it for a second before throwing the whole thing back. He coughs a little, and I take the glass from him, placing it back on the bar, and nodding, it’s filled again, and I place it back in his hand. He takes it in one drink and then relaxes. I take the glass back from him and place it on the bar.
“Better?”
He gives me a small, tentative nod, but his body language is stiff, uncomfortable; he’s afraid, but it doesn’t seem to be aimed at me.
“Hi, I’m Arianna.” Her voice breaks me from my fixation on him, and I turn to glare at her.
“Leonardo, this is my ex-fiancée.” I snarl at her, his eyes widen, and she chuckles, reaching for his hand and shaking it.
“I’m his sister-in-law, I’m the best part of the family.” I scoff as I see my brother heading this way. I groan and roll my eyes. His arms go around Arianna, and he kisses her cheek as he leans forward, shaking Leonardo’s hand.
“Vittorio, I’m the younger, better-looking brother.”
We’re broken from our mundane conversation.
“Bellino, can I steal Leonardo away for just a second?” Enzo croons. And I nod, but I see Leonardo physically tense as his father reaches in and tugs him across the dancefloor. We all stare after him, and Arianna steps in beside me, and Vittorio moves closer.
“The bruises?” she whispers.
“Sports injury,” I whisper back.
“You believe that?”
“Fuck no.” I shake my head because no.
“What are we going to do about it, Bell?”
