Page 44 of Reckless Vow

“So Gio was right. You really are in New York.” Massi pats my shoulder.

I didn’t expect to run into my family at this event. I should have. Massi owns a restaurant and he’s a Michelin-starred chef, so of course he is here. To network, like me.

“I heard what you did for Brook. That’s quite a commitment. I can’t believe Roberta Montgomery would do such a thing,” Gina says.

“Though it’s weird to marry your sister, even if it’s just to stick it to the old witch.” Massi makes a face of disgust.

Gina rolls her eyes. “It’s not like they are blood relatives.”

“I’m opening a club here in New York, so I guess I could make myself useful to the family.” And suffer for a year.

“You should come for dinner soon. And we should get together with Gio and Andrea. It would be nice to catch up.” Massi wraps his arm around Gina.

Those two first got married so young, and they got their second chance seventeen years later.

Is there a second chance for me and Brook? According to Massi’s disgusted face, even if we overcome all the barriers we’ve built between us, we still would face an uphill battle with the family.

I’ve just returned and not even had a chance to rekindle my practically non-existent relationship with my parents and my siblings. I guess I couldn’t care less about their opinions.

But Brook always wanted their approval. Having lived away for so long, she’s probably happy to finally fit in.

Our second chance would destroy her second chance with the family.

Why am I even thinking about it?

“We should get together. It’s long overdue,” I respond to Massi.

“It’s really good to see you, bro.”

My eyes keep darting to the entrance of this large, opulent banquet hall. Where is she?

Saar saunters in. She’s dressed to the nines in a deep brown gown that makes most of the people in the room turn their heads. No wonder she is one of the highest paid models in the world.

I couldn’t care less about the dress, because I’m focused on the fact that she’s alone.

“Excuse me.” I nod to my brother.

“No problem. We both need to mingle. Talk to you later, Baldo.”

Gina sends me an air kiss, then I make my way through the floor full of tuxedos, gowns, clinking glasses and hushed conversation.

“Where is Brook?” I snap at Saar instead of a greeting.

“Hello to you too, jerk.” She rolls her eyes.

I groan inwardly. “Pardon my manners, Saar, good evening to you.” Sarcasm laces my voice. “Where is Brook?”

“At home—” Whatever else she was going to say dies on her lips. “What the hell?”

“Saar.” Corm appears by my side. “Nice to see you.”

“I don’t share the sentiment.” She gives him a venomous look that probably turned most of the liquor here sour.

“You look ravishing.” The fucker smirks at her, completely unaffected.

“If I knew you’d be here, I’d have stayed home. Oh wait, I can still leave.” She smiles, this time with an equal amount of poison and honey.

She turns, but I grip her arm. “Leave if you want—”

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