Page 35 of Sinful Sacrifice

He’s next in line to the Lombardi throne.

The man I was initially supposed to meet.

And thank Jesus he was out that day. From the way he rolls his tongue over his lips, I know he wouldn’t have shown me the same kindness Damien did.

Not wanting to appear rude, I take his hand. “Pippa.”

Just like everyone else, Vinny is only getting my first name.

“Pippa. It’s so lovely to meet you.” When Vinny lifts my hand to his mouth, Damien inserts himself between us, removing my hand from Vinny’s hold.

“That’s enough, Vinny,” Damien barks.

I stand on my tiptoes to catch Vinny’s reaction.

He snarls at Damien, balling up his fist.

“Vinny, son”—Vincent clasps Vinny’s shoulder—“I just saw Severino Cavallaro. We need to have a word with him.”

Vinny glares at Damien and shakes his head before walking away with his father.

“Damien, you can’t punch the Lombardi heir at a funeral,” Julian admonishes.

“Why?” Damien snaps. His touch lingers on my shoulder as he steps to my side. “I can blame the violence on my grieving.”

Julian points at him. “Valid point.”

“My brother, always the fucking asshole.” Antonio steps next to Damien and slips his gaze to me. “My apologies, Pippa.”

Wow.

All I needed was for Antonio’s prick brother to go all creep mode on me to make him nice?

“Are you okay?” Damien asks, his gaze searching mine.

I smile. “I’m okay.”

“Let’s get you home.”

I nod and offer my condolences to Julian once more.

Holding my hand, Damien leads me through the cathedral.

A knot forms in my stomach, and I freeze when a familiar voice calls my name.

The voice of the person I desperately prayed wouldn’t be here.

13

Pippa’s hand clenches in mine when she suddenly stops. As we turn, I spot Cernach Koglin casually strolling toward us. He wobbles with every step in our direction. Two men shadow him like obedient dogs. A pinned Celtic knot is on his lapel. It’s rare to see him without Irish symbolism.

I have to commend the man.

He has a deep appreciation for his ancestry.

“Uncle Cernach,” Pippa says, curling her lip when he reaches us.

Uncle?

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