Frederica's usual sarcastic mask slipped back into place, but her eyes remained warm. "Doing my best."
A loud, disbelieving snort came from Dario. Altun's sharp green gaze flicked to him, then back to Frederica, one elegant eyebrow arching in silent question.
Frederica just shrugged, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "He's still bitter about that job in Rome."
"Because Gabriella never shut up about it," Dario muttered under his breath.
Julian had drifted closer to Rodrigo and Giana, his gaze still subtly appraising her.
"A remarkable transformation, Miss Sorrentino," he commented. "From sheltered asset to taking Rodrigo's cold heart. Quite the thief, aren't you?"
Julian's words, though friendly, carried a little too much of the truth. Were his feelings for her that obvious? Surely not.
Before either of them could respond, Altun glided over, her presence instantly commanding the space around Julian.
"Julian, darling," she said, her tone still holding the warmth she had shown Frederica. "Are you being polite or trying to make everyone slightly more uncomfortable than they already are?"
She didn't wait for his reply, turning instead to Giana. "Giana Sorrentino. The queen emerges."
Giana blinked. "I… thank you? It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Baruk. Kon speaks very highly of you."
Altun waved a dismissive hand, adorned with several intricate silver rings. "Kon is biased. And please, call me Altun."
Her gaze swept the grand entrance hall again, lingering on the Colleoni insignia prominently displayed above the main doors.
"With you here to give Rodrigo artistic advice," she added, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "I do hope there are some plans to remove all of this testicle decor now that Gabriella is no longer here to polish them so obsessively."
A burst of laughter escaped Giana, bright and unfettered. Rodrigo felt it vibrate through her arm where it rested against his. He couldn't help the slight twitch of his own lips.
The ancient symbol of his family, three pairs of human testes in red and white, had become hearts in the later generations. Gabriellahadtreated the insignia with near-religious fervor, and they were everywhere around the property, in all their iterations.
"We're still in the de-cluttering phase," Rodrigo said with a soft laugh, his gaze meeting hers. "I'll give you a discount if you want to buy some."
"Altun is only interested in buying magical things," Athena chimed in.
"In my experience, Colleoni balls are pretty damn magical," Dante said, straight-faced.
Rodrigo fought the urge to shoot him.
"What do you think, Giana?AreColleoni balls magical?" Frederica asked, innocently batting her eyelashes.
Correction: Rodrigo would shoot her,thenDante.
"I think that you should find out for yourself. Dario's balls are free," Giana replied sweetly, making Rodrigo choke awkwardly and forget about shooting any of them.
"Can I use them like Baoding balls and roll them around in my hand to relax?" Frederica clapped back without missing a beat.
"You stay the fuck away from my balls," Dario said, holding his hands in front of his crotch to protect himself.
Frederica huffed. "You are just no fun at all."
"See what you did by mentioning balls? I hope you're happy," Rodrigo said to Altun.
"Thrilled, actually." Altun's smile widened, and she smoothly linked her arm through Giana's free one, drawing her slightly away from Rodrigo. "Now that the others are distracted, my dear, you must tell me everything. A woman who cansurvive Gabriella Colleoni, steal her fortune, and land the most dangerous bachelor in Italy? I have to know more."
She began steering Giana gently toward the grand salon where refreshments awaited.
Rodrigo watched them go, a complex mix of emotions warring within him: relief that Giana could handle the mercenaries' teasing and seemed instantly comfortable with the formidable Altun, a possessive twinge at seeing her guided away, and a deep satisfaction that Giana was being acknowledged by someone of Altun's stature.
