Page 33 of Crimson Vows

The news I have brought her about Vincent has caused her to turn her anger to me.

“Is everything okay?” Nico asks, not turning, but his voice has an edge as if he can smell trouble brewing.

“Fine,” Gia and I answer together, too quick, too sharp. A beat passes, and we exchange a glance loaded with unspoken words. “Everything is absolutely fine.”

“Right,” Dante drawls, eyebrow quirking. “You sound fine.”

“Excuse me?” Gia gasps before tossing the salad a little too vigorously, green leaves dancing dangerously close to the bowl’s rim. “Just focus on your own task, okay?”

“Touchy, touchy,” Dante teases.

“Dante,” Nico snaps as he turns to face the group. “We’re here as guests.”

Dante slides the cutting board of chopped onions in front of Gia before raising his hands and apologizing. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean any disrespect to our beautiful hostess. I was hoping you might tell us what is happening with the two of you.”

“Happening? I don’t know what you mean,” I reply.

“Okay, I get Nico is polyamorous.” Dante shoots Nico a quick grin. “But are you all that way?”

“Excuse me?” Gia snorts.

Dante shrugs. “I’m just saying, we show up and it’s clear there is something between the two of you, but you also were on a date with Nico today. It’s not that big a deal. I was just wondering.”

I frown, confused. “Nico is what?”

“Just take care of your finger, babe,” Gia says as she glances over her shoulder.

At some point, I had figured out that Nico liked both men and women, but the poly thing was new for me.

Laughter erupts around the kitchen in response to Gia’s dismissal of my ignorance. Dante studies me for a second before asking, “So if she’s seeing both of you, how many women are you dating?”

Gia’s head snaps in Dante’s direction. “None.”

“Excuse me? You have no idea if I am dating someone else.”

“Are you?” she asks pointedly.

“Well, no, not right now,” I answer honestly.

“And you’re not going to,” she replies.

“What?” The word slips from my mouth, laced with confusion.

“I guess I never told you, but I’ve never done well with sharing.”

“This really isn’t any of our business,” Nico says. “You two really don’t have to have this discussion in front of us.”

“No. No. You brought me here tonight because you said you wanted us all to be friends,” Dante replies, his tone light. “I think we all want to know how Marco feels about sharing Gia even though she isn’t willing to share him.”

I clear my throat, looking at Gia then at the other two men before I answer, “Actually, I’m not sure how I feel since this information is brand new to me.”

Dante deadpans, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oh shit!”

“Dude, seriously!” Nico bites out the words.

Dante laughs. “Lighten up. We’re all trying to get to know each other better. If we’re sharing, let’s share. Lay it all out on the table, along with the breadsticks. Am I right?”

“Sharing is caring.” The words slip out of my mouth, coated in venom.

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