It seems Alessio isn’t the only one struggling with their marriage.
Where is he?
Several long glances around the room and I am unable to find him. His long hair and tall stature are no one where to be seen. Not a single purple dress shirt in sight.
Carmine, however, is talking to Soren and Nikolas near the small stage where a band is setting up. I head over to them in several large strides.
“Mr. Dresvanni,” I say, adding quickly, “I apologize for interrupting.”
“Whatever it is, it must be important,” Carmine says and turns to look at me. “What is it?”
“I’m unable to find your brother. The groom,” I tell him. I keep my voice calm, but I see the anxiety in my eyes mirrored by his.
Unexpectedly, Carmine chuckles and puts a hand on my shoulder. “There’s no need to be worried. If there’s anywhere my brother might be, it’s outside smoking. Why don’t you check the back patio?” he suggests. His eyes crinkle with amusement.
“I don’t find this entertaining. There’s a serious threat on our backs,” I remind him. “One that could have killed Nikolas if you don’t remember.” I motion toward the teenager.
His face falls. “I’m well aware of this,” he tells me. “I also know my brother. If he was in trouble, I’d be the first to send the calvary after him.”
Nikolas looks uncomfortable, like he doesn’t want to be there, and doesn’t say a word.
Soren steps closer to Carmine and places a hand on his back. “Go check the patio. If he’s not there, then we’ll act in a bit more of a hurry, hm?”
I nod stiffly and turn to head to the back of the dining hall. The force with which I push the door open causes it, and the wall it’s connected to, to rattle. I look out into the wintery air and see a cloud of smoke rising just to my left. I step out, not caring that it’s cold.
The door slowly closes behind me as I turn and see Alessio standing to the side against the brick of the building. Smoking.
“There you are,” I say lowly. He looks over at me with an unamused expression.
“Is someone missing me?” he asks quietly.
I stop beside him and look up at him with my brow slightly furrowed. “I couldn’t find you.”
He raises a brow. “I needed a smoke. It’s not like I was kidnapped.”
I scoff. “With the recent threat, I think anything is possible,” I remind him.
Alessio blinks and looks out in front of him toward the road about a half mile ahead of the snowy landscape. Tall pine trees line the sides, and it would be easy to lose someone down the backroads of this area.
“As you can see, I’m fine,” he says and takes another drag before tossing the cigarette to the ground and smashing it with the heel of his wingtip shoe.
He smells not only like smoke, but there’s something different about him. In his eyes. His pupils are dilated. His words are slower.
He doesn’t smell like alcohol, so I know it’s not that.
I step closer to him and grab him by the face. “What did you take?” I ask him abruptly.
Alessio tries to pull his face away from me, but he struggles. “W-what? Nothing.” He growls and shoves at my chest, but he seems weaker than he might be otherwise.
“I’m serious, Alessio. What did you take?” I stare up into his face with narrowed eyes. He doesn’t look too high, but you can never be sure.
“Just enough to dull the edges,” he insists. “Don’t worry about me.”
“You’re popping pills when there’s people threatening to kill your fiancé. I’m worried.” I let go of his face and he rubs at his jaw.
“Don’t ever touch me like that again,” he glares at me. Then a smirk pulls at his face. “Unless you plan on finishing it.” He eyes me from head to toe.
The back of my neck heats up, and I try to ignore it.
