At his nod, one of the staff members disappears, returning moments later with my paper bags. My heart rate picks up again as Raffaele takes it and places it before me.
“Go ahead,” he says, his voice gentle now.
With slightly trembling hands, I reach into the bag and begin distributing the carefully packaged treats.
“Cinnamon rolls and bites for Raven,” I say, passing her the first package. Her eyes light up with genuine delight.
“Holy poop!” she exclaims. “I fudging love you so hard right now. Seriously, if you asked me to marry you, I’d leave Matteo and—”
Laughing, Matteo silences her with a kiss that goes on for so long I awkwardly look around. That’s when I notice everyone else seems almost… bored. Like they’re used to this kind of display and just waiting for it to be over.
“Enough,” Raffaele barks. “Don’t give Matteo anything. He’s already on my shit list.”
“The fuc-fudge did I do?” Matteo asks, after he’s reluctantly pulled his lips from Raven’s. “I’m the epitome of a good boy, I’ll have you know.”
Raffaele bares his teeth. “Oh yeah? Is that why Mikhail—”
Everyone falls silent when Remus’ fist connects with the table, making all the contents dance slightly.
“Please continue what you were doing, Alina,” he says.
Despite Remus’ position, I look to Raffaele, not daring to hand out more treats until he gives me a small nod.
“Dark chocolate and marzipan for Piper,” I continue, watching as the elegant woman accepts the gift with a surprised lift of her perfectly sculpted eyebrow.
“Thank you so much,” she beams. “That’s very kind.”
“Nougat bites for Lorenzo, profiteroles for Matteo, and tiramisu for Remus.”
Each family member receives their package with varying degrees of surprise. Matteo’s single eye narrows with curiosity, while Remus’ expression remains carefully neutral, though I catch the slightest softening around his mouth.
“You remembered our favorites,” Remus observes, his tone impossible to read.
“Raffaele told me,” I say, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.
“And what about these?” Remus asks, indicating the remaining container in the bag.
I glance at Raffaele, uncertain whether I should explain. He gives me an almost imperceptible nod.
“They’re… they’re save the date cookies,” I say, my voice smaller than I intended.
“Save the date?” Lorenzo echoes, his gaze sharpening as it moves between Raffaele and me.
The table falls silent, all eyes now fixed firmly on us. The diamond choker suddenly feels tighter against my throat, though I know it’s just my imagination.
Raffaele’s hand finds mine under the table, his fingers interlacing with mine. Then he looks directly at Remus, his voice clear and unwavering as he says,
“Alina and I are getting married next Thursday.”
Chapter 26
Raffaele
The silence that follows my announcement is so complete I can hear the soft intake of breath from Alina beside me. Every eye in the room fixes on us—Remus’ calculating gaze, Enzo’s narrowing stare, Matteo’s jaw locking with surprise.
I keep my hand steady on Alina’s back, feeling the rapid rise and fall of her breathing beneath my palm.
Let them stare. Let them wonder. I’ve made my decision, and Russos don’t explain themselves—not even to family.
