Page 62 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

As we descended the stars, I continued the tour, hyperaware of Dimitri’s every movement. When I mentioned the library, his eyebrow shot up with interest.

“Library?” The word rolled off his tongue like he was savoring it.

“Angelo’s private library. He doesn’t let people go in there without permission.”

“Interesting,” Dimitri mused, his eyes glinting.

I sighed. “Angelo has several rooms that are off limits, including the dungeon.”

His steps faltered, his intense gaze boring into me. “That part scares you?”

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the knot of fear in my gut. “The mafia isn’t an easy gig, Dimitri. There’s always someone who wants to be on top or wants to get even.”

“Like the wolves,” he said softly, his voice laced with an emotion I couldn’t quite identify.

The mention of the wolves made my skin prickle with unease. I found myself unconsciously leaning closer to Dimitri, seeking comfort in his presence, even as a small voice in the back of my mind wondered just how deep into this dangerous world I was pulling him.

Dimitri slid his fingers through my hair. “Ipromise you that those little fur balls will never touch you again.” His touch ignited a paradoxical reaction in my body. A cool tingle raced across my skin, immediately chased by a wave of warmth that seemed to bloom from within. This simultaneous chill and fire left me breathless, my nerves singing with conflicting sensations.

The moment was broken as Elena emerged from the kitchen, the scent of her cooking wafting around her like a delicious cloud. She was dressed in a floral dress with a crisp white apron, looking every bit the maternal figure she’d become to me. “Mon chèreandmonsieur,” she greeted us warmly. “I have prepared lunch. You must both be hungry.”

She accepted Dimitri as my mate and she always stood by me no matter what. Something I would never forget.

My stomach let out an embarrassingly loud growl. The aroma of fresh-baked bread and Elena’s famous fried chicken filled my nostrils, making my mouth water instantly. I glanced up at Dimitri, tugging gently on his hand. “Come on, let’s eat.”

Dimitri’s lips quirked into that trademark smirk of his. “How could I say no to the wonderful cook who’s been feeding me? I mean, a man’s got to keep up his strength, especially around here.”

As we entered the dining room, my stomach, which had been doing happy flips at the prospect of food, suddenly plummeted. Angelo and Enzo sat at the table, looking for all the world like they’d been waiting for us.

Angelo’s smile reminded me of a cat that had just cornered a particularly juicy mouse. “Well, my chauffeurhas finally emerged,” he purred, gesturing toward the laden table. “Please, both of you, sit. After lunch, Enzo and I have meetings that you need to take us to.”

My body tensed, anger bubbling up inside me. “Seriously, Angelo?” I folded my arms, trying to keep my voice steady.

Angelo dabbed his mouth with a napkin, his eyes never leaving mine. “Isn’t he my chauffeur, Gianna?” His quiet voice carried a clear warning—there was only one acceptable answer.

Before I could retort, Dimitri stepped forward, executing a slight bow that was just a hair too exaggerated to be respectful. “Anywhere you’d like to go, boss,” he said, his voice dripping with barely concealed sarcasm. I rubbed my forehead. It was as if Dimitriwanteda rematch.

Stupid Stupid Stupid

He put his hand on my lower back. “Gianna was just showing me the lay of the land. You know, secret passages, hidden treasure, the usual.”

Angelo’s eyes narrowed. “Good, then you know where you can and can’t go. You’ll take a room with the other men over the garage.”

Fury surged through me, hot and sudden. “Unacceptable, Angelo,” I spat. “He stays with me, or we both leave.”

Angelo leaned back in his chair. “And where would you go?”

I stuck out my chin. “Back to Salem.”

Enzo chuckled, rubbing his forehead as if we were all giving him a headache. “I told you she would never go for it.”

“Fine,” Angelo conceded, his voice clipped. “Then you’ll marry my sister. I assume you have no objections.” His gaze locked onto Dimitri, challenging him.

I gasped, feeling as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. How could Angelo do this? Take away something so special, so personal?

Dimitri’s hand found mine, his cool fingers intertwining with my own. He turned to me, his eyes softening as they met mine. “Not exactly how I wanted this to go down,” he said, his voice gentle but with an undercurrent of steel. “But you’re my mate, and marriage is part of the gig. Plus, I do love a good party.”

My heart ached, a mix of love for Dimitri and anger at Angelo warring within me. Once again, my brother had taken away my choice, just as he had when he turned me. I blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. “You don’t have to do this,” I whispered to Dimitri.

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