Page 73 of Ruthless Guardian

She rises to her tiptoes and glances over my shoulder, likely searching for Serena, before returning that hypnotic gaze to meet mine.

“Is Serena good?” I murmur.

“Yeah, she’s still dancing with pink-shorts guy.”

“Then let’s get out of here. Let me take you home so we can finally?—”

She presses her finger to my lips, slowly shaking her head. “I can’t just leave her.”

“Why not? She’s got that guy and her own retinue of guards.” None remain as close to her as I do with my charge, but then again, no one is as good as me.

“Serena’s only here for one more night, Raf, then she’ll be back in Milano. I want to spend this time with her.”

Jerking back, I remove my leg from between her thighs, an unexpected pang lancing through my chest. I must have made a face because Isabella’s smile softens, and she laces her fingers through mine.

“I’m not saying I don’t want to be with you, too. You know things are complicated. If anyone found out about this” —she motions between us— “you know we’d both be screwed.”

A smirk tugs at my lips. “So, you do care about me? And you don’t want me returning to Manhattan in a box?”

“Of course, I do, youstronzo.” She smacks my cheek before squeezing it gently. “Besides, you were right.Papàwould send me right home, and my Roman excursion is just getting started."

A rueful smile spreads despite my best efforts. “Fine, but the moment she’s gone, I’m giving you a night you’ll never forget.”

“I’m counting on it.” With her fingers still tangled with mine, she tugs me back toward the center of the dancefloor, and Ifollow like a complete idiot, because I’m already that gone for her.

Serena and Isabella walk arm-in-arm, giggling and gushing about the evening, as I lead them through the stone archway that spills out onto the dirt parking lot. Serena’s guards are waiting in the limo to drive us all home, and I’m shocked by the loose tether they give their client.

Luca would never approve. Then again, I’ve heard his brother Dante is quite a different breed.

“Tomorrow we should have a party on your rooftop.” Serena claps her hands, the haze of alcohol brightening her eyes. “Don’t you know a bunch of hot doctors you could invite?”

Isabella chuckles, and I bristle at the remark, thoughts of her date with Jeff still at the forefront of my mind. “Sure, I could put something together quickly.”

“You’d like that better wouldn’t you, Raf?” Serena cocks a light brow in my direction. “This way sweet little Bella could be at home and protected?”

I nod slowly.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice how tense you were tonight.” She throws me a knowing smile, and I wonder what exactly she’s trying to get at.

“Oh, just ignore him,” Isabella cuts in. “He’s always tense. And I’m sure even with the party at home, he’ll be grumpy.”

Serena surges ahead to pluck a hibiscus from the nearby hedge, and I lean into Isabella and whisper, “I’m grumpy because instead of watching other guys’ hands all over you, I want my hands to be all over you.”

A grin slashes across her face and her cheeks heat, sending wicked pleasure up my spine.

Before she can respond, Serena bounces back with the pink bloom tucked behind her ear. Behind her, two men walk up the cobbled pathway.

Every nerve stands at attention as the two familiar forms coalesce from the darkness.Cazzo.

What the fuck are my brothers doing here?

CHAPTER 36

FRATELLINO

Isabella

A wave of power, raw and undiluted, descends over the suddenly tense atmosphere as two men in dark suits stalk toward us. I know the feeling well, I’ve grown up surrounded by it, the prickle in the air, the sudden shift in awareness. Behind the dark-haired men, march a retinue of guards that would putPapà’s team to shame. Raf stiffens beside me, every inch of his body exuding fiery tension.

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