Page 41 of A Sinner's Truth

“A party? What kind of party? And why?”

“A reception, because he’s overbearing and has a sore spot when it comes to missing out on weddings. He did the same thing when he found out Gabe and Daisy got hitched without telling any of us too,” Santo says.

“Who will be there?” What do I wear? Shit, I’m not ready for a party. To be in a room full of people looking at me. Judging me.

Did they all love her as much as Santo? His fiancée? I don’t want to be compared to her, but I know it’ll happen, if it hasn’t already. I don’t want to take her place in his heart. I’m fine with our arrangement how it is. I don’t need more.

Wanting and needing are two different things, though. I don’t need it, but I think I’m starting to want it. Especially after that kiss. He kissed me like he wanted to, like he couldn’t live without doing it. I want more of that, and maybe more of those orgasms too.

“It’ll just be family,” Santo says.

“Family, okay.” I’ve met his family. I can do this.

Just family, my ass.

When we walk downstairs and come to a stop in front of a foyer full of people all mingling about, everyone we pass congratulates Santo and smiles politely at me.

“I thought you said it was just family?” I hiss in his direction.

“This is family,” Santo says while looking down at me with concern.

Plastering on a fake smile, I shove my anxiety aside. Fake it till you make it. I wasn’t ready for this kind of crowd. I’ve never enjoyed being around a bunch of people, unless I have time to prepare for them. Even when I go out dancing with Drew, I’m usually drinking, which helps calm my nerves. I could use a drink right now—like really use a drink.

A waiter passes with a tray of champagne flutes. I eye it but don’t reach out to take one. I’m waiting for Santo’s cue. He hasn’t had a drop of alcohol. Maybe it’s a thing, like we’re not supposed to drink or something. It sounds stupid, but there is a lot I don’t know about his world.

“I’m just going to run to the bathroom,” I tell Santo.

“I’ll come with you,” he says.

“No, stay. I’ll be fine. Mingle with your family.” I slip out of his hold and practically run. I find the back door and sneak outside. I just need some fresh air.

“Not one for a party?” A voice has me jumping out of my damn skin. Spinning around, I see Vin leaning against the brick wall with a smoke pressed between his fingers.

“I’m not one for people—crowds really,” I attempt to explain. I take a step closer, and a puff of smoke tells me that’s no cigarette in his hand. He’s smoking weed. “You got another one of those?”

Vin raises an eyebrow at me and laughs. “Last time I got one of my sisters-in-law high, my brother was pissed at me for two months. If I letyousmoke, Santo… Well, let’s just say he holds agrudge a lot fucking longer than Gabe. So, no. For you, I do not have another one of these.” Vin draws in a lungful of air.

“Santo won’t care.” I shrug.

“You really should get to know a person before you marry them,” Vin tells me. “Santo is the family’s enforcer. You do know what that means, right?”

“I can imagine.” I mean, the title doesn’t leave much room for interpretation.

“Yeah, whatever your imagination comes up with, times it by a hundred. That’s Santo. I, for one, do not want to be on his bad side.” Vin chuckles. “In saying that, if I happen to drop a joint while walking away, I can’t stop you from picking it up.” He doesn’t drop it, though. He hands it over to me.

“Right, you can’t help if I pick it up.” I’m not a stoner. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve smoked pot, but I do know it will help calm me down right now, and I need that.

“Why are you so nervous anyway?” Vin asks.

“Besides the fact that I’m at a party hosted by the De Bellis family? A mafia party?” I question him.

“Besides that.” Vin smirks.

“I don’t want to embarrass your brother,” I admit.

“You couldn’t. One thing you need to learn about being a De Bellis, we don’t give a fuck what others think about us. The only thing they need to be thinking or feeling is fear and respect. Anything else doesn’t matter,” Vin says. “You make him smile. Santo hasn’t smiled in a really long fucking time.” With that, the kid walks back inside, leaving me alone on the patio.

Chapter Nineteen

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