Page 47 of Lovely Venom

It isn’t something I would have brought up on my own, but Angelo told Abella this morning before she came over, and apparently Cristian told Mariella. They’ve promised to keep it between us until I’m ready to share with the others, which will probably be never.

I don’t want them worrying about me.

I take a sip of my coffee, thoughts drifting as my gaze settles on Cristian across the room. I can’t seem to stop stealing glances at him, but every time I do, I feel humiliated over everything that happened last night.

Not only did I climb onto his lap and offer myself up to him, he caught me doing something nobody else has ever witnessed.

I’ve never been so mortified in my life.

I have no idea what I was thinking, but in my drunken mind, I convinced myself that the tension between us was actually chemistry. Now I know it was delusion.

I’m not sure how I’m supposed to face him on a regular basis when I can barely meet his eyes. I can only imagine what he thinks of me, but I suspect the current security measures are a result of his pity.

“You absolutely hate this, don’t you?” Mariella says.

“Yes. It’s too much.”

“It’s not enough,” Abella argues. “I don’t even want you staying here alone knowing Marco could come back whenever he feels like it.”

“I could make sure he never does,” Mariella offers.

I laugh, even though I know she’s dead serious.

“I’m not sure we’re there yet,” I tell her. “Besides, I think Cristian might have something to say about that.”

“Well, from what Angelo told me, Cristian nearly took care of it last night,” Abella says. “He would have if Angelo hadn’t stopped him.”

Admittedly, the details surrounding that part of the night are a little fuzzy. I remember the basic sequence of events, but I was also drunk and exhausted at that point. Now I have to wonder if Cristian resents me for inadvertently putting him in that position.

“Don’t feel guilty,” Mariella says, seemingly aware of where my thoughts are going. “Marco only has himself to blame for the consequences of his actions.”

“Do you think he and Cristian will reconcile?” I ask.

“Not a chance in hell.” Mariella shakes her head. “From the sounds of it, their friendship was hanging on by a thread as it was. My brothers don’t associate with men like that.”

I nod, because I know she’s right that Marco is the only one at fault here. But I still don’t like the fact that I was the final straw in this scenario.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come stay on the island?” Abella presses. “We have plenty of room, and you can’t find a safer place than that.”

“I appreciate it.” I offer her a weak smile. “But I need to be in the city. I have a tight schedule as it is with work and all the things that involves. I’ll be okay here.”

“When are you going back to the club?” She frowns.

“Tomorrow.”

She nods, but I can tell she’s still worried about me, which is exactly why I didn’t want them knowing. The only thing she should be focused on right now is the baby that will be arriving soon, and I don’t want her to stress.

“Speaking of work.” Mariella peers at me over the rim of her coffee cup. “Have you ever considered teaching dance classes? We could help you put the word out.”

“Oh, yes, I love that idea,” Abella chimes in. “We could market it as the perfect gift for husbands. Secret lives of Society wives.”

Mariella laughs. “Honestly, that’s kind of genius.”

“I’ve actually been thinking about it since our class,” I admit. “But it’s a little terrifying not having a guaranteed income.”

“Well, we can diversify,” Abella proposes. “What other genres of dance do you know?”

“Tap, ballet, jazz, and ballroom.” I list them off with a shrug.