Page 13 of Killer Love

I often wonder about him. The heir of the Lutrova crime family. Has the life of a Russian mobster turned him as cold as Antony is? I hope not. I suppose I’ll find out soon enough.

Rosalie tugs my arm. “Come on… you should get inside before someone sees you out.”

I let her guide me back in, but I pause as a black car passes by in the distance, just barely grazing my peripheral vision. “Wait…”

I crane my neck to see it roll down the driveway and disappear around the front of the estate.

“The Lutrovas, I bet…” Rosalie hums.

“Already?”

She nods. “They’ve come for the wedding rehearsal, of course. Speaking of which, we should get you ready. It’s in an hour.”

I gesture down the black dress covering me from my neck to my toes, stopping at the veil concealing my face. “I think I’m ready, Rosalie.”

She winks. “Doesn’t mean you can’t throw on a little lipstick, too.”

I shake my head, but I let her lead me off the balcony.

Chapter 4

Luka

It has been several years since I’ve set foot on the Zappia estate.

It hasn’t changed at all. The lawn is still brightly decorated with vibrant flowers and large, neatly trimmed trees. The stone wall surrounding the grounds has seen better days but still appears as daunting as it ever was, even with the vines clawing their way to the top.

I spot two distinct differences as I step out of our car: colorful lanterns hanging from wires up and down the long driveway and a heavy increase in security. Both can be explained by the important wedding taking place tomorrow. I count at least a half-dozen men on the drive alone, plus another four just outside the back garden, and another three near—

Yuri nudges my ribs. “Drop the shield,” he teases. “It’s a wedding.”

I say nothing and keep my eyes open. My brother clearly doesn’t understand the duties of the Lutrova family bodyguard. Being on the Zappia estate is no excuse to slack off. I don’t care how safe the rest of them think we’ll be this weekend. Ally or no ally, I would never trust a Zappia with my life — especially not my family’s.

I take my mother’s hand and help her out of the car as the front door flies open.

Giovani steps outside with raised arms. “The Lutrovas!” he greets. “You’re just in time.”

My father bounds up the steps toward him. “Gio — my god — you’ve grown up!”

“I should hope so. It’s the day before my wedding!”

My father shakes his hand and shows a genuine admiration for Gio’s tight grip.

The last time I saw Gio, he was short and pudgy with a red, pock-marked nose. His skin has cleared up since then and he’s shed the extra pounds but he’s still a wimp, hovering only a few centimeters taller than my mother.

She bounds up the stairs and exchanges a kiss on the cheek with him. “I don’t know how you Zappia boys grow more handsome every time I see you,” she quips, flashing a smile. “Your poor mother must pray daily for all the girls your brothers torture.”

Gio keeps his smile, but I see that look gloss over his eyes as he stares back at her. That how dare this woman speak to me look. “I guarantee you she does, Madam Lutrova. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

I smirk. My mother has never purposefully shown disrespect to the Zappias or their ways, but I feel great pride in the fact that she’s never once allowed their rules to change her behavior on their estate. Nina Lutrova does whatever she fucking wants and no man — Russian or Italian — will tell her otherwise.

Gio steps to the side and allows for my parents to walk in while extending a hand to Yuri. “And you two,” he says, nodding. “I am very grateful to you both.” He lays an open palm on his chest. “Thank you for agreeing to be a part of my family’s special day. It means a lot to me. And Sofia.”

I bite my tongue, swallowing my reply. We never had a choice in the matter to begin with and it annoys me to hear him speak for Sofia yet again. While I haven’t seen the girl since that day in the shed, I heard her name often during the sporadic trips we made to this estate. Sofia will wear this. Sofia will have that for supper. Sofia will stay in her room until the Lutrovas have taken their leave.

Yuri snorts. “Are you kidding? We’ve been looking forward to it. We love weddings!”

I force a smile and offer my hand to Gio. “Yes, we’re happy to be here.”

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