Page 48 of Dark Mafia Vows

People are starting to notice the small scene, and a few murmurs and whispers erupt around us. I clench my jaw so hard I’m sure my teeth will crack. Thank god it’s a phone-free event, no photographers allowed inside—at least I don’t have to worry about this being plastered all over the internet. But the way he’s trying to humiliate her, to break her down in front of everyone, sets my blood on fire. I won’t let him get away with it.

Taking another step toward him, I repeat the two words more firmly. “Back off.”

Something sinister flashes in his eyes as he looks at me, and then, casting one last glance at Ginny, he adds, “Enjoy your evening,” before sauntering away.

I immediately turn to Ginny, catching the slight tremor in her hands and the way her jaw tightens in anger.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly, my thumb brushing her cheeks.

“Yeah, fine,” she snaps before exhaling a sharp breath. “Let’s go. People are staring.”

“Let them stare.” The words slip out before I can stop them, and I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She blushes beneath the makeup, her cheeks tinged with pink, and I can tell that she hates the reaction because she clenches her jaw immediately after.

Slipping my hand into hers again, I guide Ginny through the crowd. She seems to relax a bit, but I still sense the slight tension in her shoulders as we navigate past tables filled with guests chatting animatedly.

As we continue to weave through the crowd, I spot Lorenzo across the room, his tall frame easily recognizable. He’s engaged in conversation with a group of people, his easy smile drawing them in.

Ginny sees him as well, and she goes rigid again. She’s still pissed at him. At this point, she may be pissed at me, as well.

She hates you, just like you should hate her,a voice whispers in my head just as Lorenzo catches sight of us.

His face lights up, and he breaks away from the group, striding toward us with an open smile.

“Well, I didn’t expect to see you both here,” he says with that trademark smile.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” I reply, keeping my tone cordial.

A flicker of emotion crosses his eyes as he looks at Ginny.

Lorenzo’s eyes flicker with something—regret, maybe—as he looks at his sister. “Ginny, you look… stunning. That dress is perfect on you.”

“Thanks.” Her voice is flat, the one-word reply cutting through the thick silence that follows. It’s brief, but it hangs heavy until Lorenzo clears his throat and continues.

“There’s a silent auction starting soon,” he says, forcing a smile. “And I hear there are a lot of bidders with money to spend.”

I glance at Lorenzo, feeling the weight of the unsaid things between him and Ginny. The tightness in her posture, the way her hand trembles just slightly in mine. It’s familial and unresolved and I can’t but feel bad about causing it. Well, almost bad.

I suddenly feel like an outsider in a conversation I have no part in.

Ginny doesn’t respond right away, her gaze focused somewhere beyond the ballroom, lost in a world I can’t reach.

“Great,” Ginny finally mutters, her tone sharp and curt. Her eyes flicker to her brother, a flash of something painful crossing her face before she masks it. “Enjoy the auction, Lorenzo.”

Her words are cold, dismissive, but I can see the storm brewing behind her eyes.

Lorenzo gives a tight nod, lingering for a second longer than necessary before turning away, blending into the crowd. I can feel Ginny’s pulse quicken under my fingers as she exhales sharply, as if she’s been holding her breath this entire time.

“You okay?” I murmur, leaning down so only she can hear me.

She doesn’t answer immediately, her eyes still locked on where her brother disappeared. When she finally speaks, her voice is quiet but firm. “Let’s just get this over with.”

We approach the table, and I pull out a chair for Ginny, dragging it closer to mine before gesturing for her to sit. I half expect her to roll her eyes or throw a sarcastic comment my way about being possessive, but she just sits down quietly.

Gritting my teeth, I try to focus on Lorenzo, who is saying something to the other guests seated at the table with us. He looks significantly better than the last time I saw him. Thatdepressing air around him and the gloominess in his eyes are gone. I guess his company’s success is doing wonders for his mood.

Ginny remains silent, and I can’t ignore the hurt expression on her face as she glances between me and her brother. Guilt twists in my gut, but I push it down, telling myself she’ll get over it. Time will heal things. The company’s doing better, and eventually, she’ll come around. But the ache in my chest refuses to go away.

After a few minutes, Ginny pushes her chair back abruptly and stands. “I have to use the restroom.”

---