Page 164 of Lovely Venom

This divide runs both ways, and it always has.

Growing up, I heard nothing but animosity toward the Italians. And while Ares might be more relaxed about it now, there was a time he wouldn’t even allow the Vitales to set foot on their property. So this may be as good as it ever gets.

After a moment of awkward silence, we all take our seats, and Kenzie doesn’t miss how gingerly I sit down.

“Hard workout?” she asks.

“Something like that.” I smooth an imaginary wrinkle from my skirt.

Cristian smirks, and Andreas takes a sudden interest in the table as Kenzie tries her best not to laugh.

“Well, I guess that’s one way to break the ice,” she says. “Don’t worry, I had a hard workout this morning too.”

Andreas actually blushes, and it dissolves some of the tension.

Nonna mentioned business, so it’s a safe assumption he’s here to talk about Elias. But neither of the men seems to know where to start.

“I think Nonna was onto something about food first.” I grab my plate and dish up.

Everyone else joins in, and since Cristian and Andreas are both quiet, I ask Kenzie about the latest happenings at the club. She tells me all the rampant theories for my absence and the latest drama, and we have a good laugh about it.

“Everyone really misses you,” she says. “But me most of all.”

“I know,” I answer softly. “I miss you too. But this won’t last forever. When things are safe, I can meet you in the city.”

“She can visit you here too.” Cristian drapes his arm over the back of my chair, grazing my shoulder with his fingers.

“Really?” I glance over at him.

“Yes,” he murmurs. “You aren’t a guest here, gattina.”

It doesn’t escape me that he didn’t extend the invitation to Andreas, but Kenzie doesn’t seem to mind. She looks like she’s about to melt into the floor as she glances between Cristian and me, and I know she’s dying to ask me a million questions.

She’ll definitely be blowing up my phone later.

“Are you planning on coming back to work?” she asks hopefully.

“Actually, that’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about…”

“You’re leaving me, aren’t you?” She sighs dramatically.

“We’ve had a good run,” I tell her. “It’s not you, it’s me.”

“After all the years I’ve given you,” she huffs. “The audacity.”

I smile, relieved that she’s handling this surprisingly well.

“I can’t be too upset.” She glances at Andreas. “I’m leaving in a month anyway, so I can start planning our wedding.”

“Oh my god, Kenzie.” I blink at her, stunned. “Really?”

“Yep.” She flashes me the ring I didn’t notice she was wearing. “He did good, right?”

“He did so good.” I nod approvingly. “I couldn’t be happier for you.”

She tells us the story about his proposal, not leaving out a single detail, and I love every minute of it.

Kenzie deserves to have everything she wants, and I think Andreas will do right by her. The man can barely stop himself from looking at her every few seconds, like she’s his anchor in this world.