“No,” I deny immediately, the word escaping before I can stop it. My hand tightens around my glass, jaw clenching despite my best efforts to remain impassive.
Matteo’s laughter fills the room. “Holy shit. He is. Look at him.”
“You’re both idiots,” I growl, but there’s no real heat behind it.
“Idiots who recognize that look,” Enzo counters, clapping me on the shoulder. “We both wear it.”
Remus watches with quiet amusement, a knowing look in his eyes that irritates me more than Matteo’s open laughter.
“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement,” I insist.
“Sure,” Matteo agrees, entirely too cheerful. “Just like mine with Raven. Started as a collection too, remember? Now look at me, I’m domesticated as fuck.”
“You are not domesticated,” I argue, grateful for the shift in focus.
“No?” he smirks. “I spent two hours yesterday helping her pick out baby names. I know the difference between periwinkle and cerulean. I own socks with flamingos on them because she thinks they’re funny.”
“Jesus Christ,” Enzo mutters, shaking his head. “You’re embarrassing all of us.”
“Wait until the twins arrive,” Matteo grins, standing and straightening his suit. “You’ll all be babysitting so we can have date night.”
The image of us—feared figures in Cleveland’s underworld—taking turns with Matteo’s infants is so absurd it startles a genuine laugh from me.
“I’ll pay good money to see you change a diaper, Remus,” I say, clapping him on the back as we stride over to the cart to refill our drinks.
“I’ve negotiated with the Bratva,” Remus responds dryly. “How hard can it be?”
Matteo snorts. “Famous last words.”
Chapter 27
Alina
“Are you sure you don’t want some wine?” Piper whispers, pouring herself some more.
“A little bit, please,” I reply before refocusing on Raven.
“… and that’s how Pipes and I became best friends a million years ago.” Raven finishes the story of how she and Piper became friends and how long they’ve known each other.
“Wow.” I take a small sip of the red wine Piper just poured. “That’s some story.”
Rolling her eyes, Piper huffs out a laugh. “It wasn’t quite that dramatic. But apart from the flourish, yeah, it all adds up.”
I can’t think of anything to add, so I let the silence settle while I take another sip of wine. Across from me, Raven watchesme over the rim of her glass like she’s waiting for something interesting to happen.
I thought breathing would be easier with Raffaele gone, but right now I’m finding myself missing his orders.
“So,” Raven says, leaning forward with a gleam in her eye. “March twenty-sixth, huh? Talk about a whirlwind romance.”
My hand automatically goes to the choker at my throat, fingers tracing the cool diamonds. “It’s… complicated,” I manage.
“It always is with them,” Piper replies with a knowing smile. “He took you in place of the debt your mom owed, right?”
“Collected me,” I correct, and then I can’t help laughing. God, he really has corrupted me.
Instead of shock, Raven and Piper exchange a glance loaded with meaning.
“It’s what they do,” Raven grins. “They collect everything. Even women.”
