Page 74 of Broken Vows

“Yes. We commented on an online article about Gigi selling fakes. Now, Vincenzo Trapani has tapped in and is coming over to see if our hint that Gigi Trapani is trying to set up shop in Boston holds true.” Benedict has his laptop connected to the projector, and he throws an image on the screen. “This is Gigi and Carla’s brother.”

I take in the picture of a tanned man, average height, five o’clock stubble, shortly cropped dark hair, and dressed in a way I can only approve of. Nothing gives away he’s Mafia, except the dark circles under his eyes. Someone isn’t getting enough sleep.

“Party’s starting,” Dominic says with a grin.

The heat is on. Vincenzo Trapani is the loser who sold out his sisters and whose face I’m going to rearrange, for starters. Gigi will never be safe while her stepbrother is alive.

“When is he arriving?” I ask, hoping Benedict will somehow have this intel.

“He arrived this morning, got flagged by my team working on border control,” he says, leaning back with a satisfied smirk. “And you are taking Gigi to the opening of an art exhibition on Friday night, at Kowalski’s Fine Art. By the look of her browsing data, she’s burning to go.”

38

GIGI

“Are you sure it’s going to be fine?”

Stephano is holding my hand where we’re sitting in the back seat of his SUV. His driver will drop us off at the entrance of the high rise where the Kowalski’s Fine Art exhibition space is located on the top floor. There’s an adjacent wine bar and restaurant, and apparently, this is the place to be seen on the East Coast art scene.

“Yes, we have a security detail looking out for us.”

The driver pulls up to the building, and Tony clambers out to open the door. Stephano holds out his hand for me and helps me out of the car. I’m wearing a long, flowing dress with a halter neck and a low back in midnight blue chiffon, with silver heels.

Getting dressed for tonight hit me with intense nostalgia. This is the first time in months I got dressed up to go somewhere, and Steph arranged for some boutique to come over with dresses and shoes for me to choose from.

When he caught me on my laptop staring at this exhibition opening tonight, he suggested we go. I was almost in tears. Not that he hasn’t suggested we go out before—he always wants to take me out for dinner or to one of their clubs—but right now,I don’t have it in me. This is something I can’t miss. Alejandro Reyes is up and coming, and getting in with him at the start of his career is gold.

I haven’t given up on my business yet. I’ve put it on hold. Once Franco is dead, there will be a way to prove the whole smear campaign was a scam. I will need time, and to be in Europe, so I can meet people in person.

We make our way to the elevator, and I can’t be sure who is our security detail. There are other couples in suits and formal dress entering the building, creating a pile-up at the elevator bank.

“Busy night.” I’m jittery with excitement I can’t suppress. This is like having a slice of my old life back, except this time, it’s better. I have Steph by my side.

“Yeah. You’ll see there’s enough space. The exhibition area is massive and very well laid out.”

“You’ve been here before?” I ask as I shoot him a glance, but then, it sinks in. “Of course you have. To make sure it’s safe?”

“To buy some art, angel, and eat at the restaurant—” He leans into my ear as he squeezes my hand. “Like normal people.”

He slides his lips over my ear, and it sends a rush of goose bumps down my skin where it spreads hot desire through my body. This man… Steph has been the perfect husband in so many ways, I’ve stopped keeping track.

I lean closer, his solid body always there for me, and he wraps an arm around me and caresses my butt. His gun presses against my arm, and a shudder runs through me. There must always be a little reminder why we’re notnormal people.

We ride up to the top floor, and Steph has me in the corner, his body protecting me. Tony is next to us, his eyes looking lazily at the other people in the elevator, but I’m not fooled.Il Consigliois a well-run, tight ship, and Tony is taking stock of every person here. I’m safe.

I exhale slowly as we reach the top floor and file out to the foyer where a hostess greets and directs the line to either the restaurant and wine bar, or to the art gallery. Steph’s hand is on my lower back, guiding me to the bigger open space. All white with perfect lighting to accentuate the art on the walls and the sculptures taking space center stage.

I rest my hand on his arm, almost giddy.

“Thank you so much for bringing me,” I whisper as I glance up at him.

He covers my hand with his. “Any time, angel.”

We walk the exhibit together for a while, and I’m lost in a world I’ve found again. Nothing can kill my joy now. Steph’s comments are interesting, but I have no reason to be surprised. His love for art is displayed on the big wall in his apartment. I pull my phone out to start making notes, and Steph strays onward to the next piece.

I’m so deep in thought with my notes that I don’t take stock of the suit that comes to stand close to me.

“Sorry,” I say as I step to the side to make space, but an Arctic chill invades my body as I glance at the man’s profile.

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