“So, how was the wedding?”
Vivienne smiles, which is something I haven’t been privy to before. It makes her look less vampirish and more human.
“It was lovely. Really relaxed. And the vineyard was beautiful—the perfect setting.”
“Who got married?” I ask, unable to help myself.
“Augusto Zanotti—Cristiano Di Santo’s underboss.”
I think he was one of the men in the VIP area the other night. “You know him?”
“Not well, but...” Her eyelids flicker triumphantly. “I was Fiero’s plus one.”
The words hit me so suddenly I almost drop the glass in my hand. Hallie notices and clears her throat. I force myself to keep polishing the flute.
“How lovely,” I say carefully, realizing too late I sound like a character from a Jane Austen novel.
Hallie shifts from foot to foot. “So, all the brothers went?”
“Yes—all four.”
Hallie’s gaze drifts sideways to me. “Did they all take dates?”
“Of course.” Vivienne looks faintly amused now and I’m certain she’s only telling us all of this to be mean. “Though I couldn’t tell you any of their names. I don’t think the brothers would remember either.”
The joke is so unexpectedly catty coming from Vivienne that Hallie outright chokes on a laugh.
I smile faintly too, though my chest feels tight.
“So why invite them at all?” I ask lightly, trying not to sound too interested. “Just for appearances?”
Vivienne studies me for a moment, her eyes flashing, before she responds.
“In this world?” she says. “Usually no.”
Hallie pauses subtly in her stacking of glasses.
Vivienne continues smoothly. “Italian families tend to be… fastidious about invitations. Especially weddings.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, wanting to know the answer but dreading it at the same time.
Her dark gaze flickers briefly toward the VIP lounge before returning to me.
“Bringing someone to an event like a wedding tends to mean something.” She lifts an elegant shoulder. “These men are territorial. Possession matters to them.”
Something in the way she says it sends a strange chill over my skin.
“So random women aren’t usually invited?” Hallie asks.
“Not to family events.” Vivienne’s lips curve. “Not unless someone’s making a statement.”
Hallie clears her throat awkwardly. “Well. That’s mildly terrifying.”
“It’s an Italian thing,” Vivienne replies dryly. “Everything is mildly terrifying.”
Hallie laughs again, but it fades quickly when Vivienne casually adds, “Remo’s date looked frightened half the evening.”
Hallie freezes and I begin to suspect I’m not the only one who has a thing for a Bellucci brother.
