Page 47 of Twisted Games of Revenge

Ricky is sitting at the kitchen island chatting with the boys’ new chef while he eats a bacon-and-egg roll. He’s just in sweatpants, and based on the amount of perspiration coating his sculptured abdomen, I’m going to assume he’s fresh out of the gym.

The chef smiles at us warmly. What was his name again? I return his smile, feeling a little awkward.

Ricky glances over his shoulder and grins cheekily when he sees me approaching. “We could have used your expertise this morning. Last time we let you sleep in,” he says to Geovani, with a lightness to his voice that implies he’s trying to get along with him for me and somehow make all this work. I was surprised when the boys said Geovani would be training Maddox for the fight he has coming up, but it makes a lot of sense if Maddox really wants to make a go of this career. He is the best trainer around.

“Back to work tomorrow,” Geovani agrees. “If Maddox has time this afternoon, there are a few things I would like to discuss with him.”

“I can make that work,” comes Maddox’s voice from the doorway. “Where the fuck have you been?”

“Maddox,” I chastise him for being an asshole.

He strolls into the kitchen and picks up one of the rolls, leaning into the counter as he bites into it.

Ricky slides two more plates our way. “I had Antonio make you guys breakfast as well.

“Thanks.” I smile at our new chef.

“Thought you might need it after locking yourselves away for the better part of sixteen hours.” Ricky’s attention comes to me,but he’s not pissed about it. He looks hungry, for more than just his breakfast. Jesus, was he listening outside the door?

“Who was counting.” I smirk at him, teasing just a little. Shrugging out of Geovani’s grip, I take the stool at his side, biting into the scrumptious brioche roll.

Geovani joins us, eating his food in silence. The last twenty-four hours have been a lot to take in. I’m sure he’s still trying to wrap his head around everything. I offer him a half smile, really hoping I can trust him to keep my little secret. I know how close he is to Dani and my brother, but I hope he can see it’s better this way. If it was up to me, none of them would know what I was up to. But I can’t say I regret the last few days. The sickness that’s been sitting at the pit of my stomach has settled, and even though I know what we have planned is going to be difficult to pull off, I do think us doing it together will be better than me going alone.

“Antonio can you give us a minute,” Ricky asks their chef.

He offers a nod and takes out a smoke heading out onto the patio.

“Are you ready for today? You know what you have to do?” Ricky checks in, snapping me from my thoughts.

“Get to know Valentina’s inner circle.” I see the sparkling ring on my finger and remember what I really have to do and cringe. “And make sure they all know how smitten Alex is with me.”

“You lot are really happy to send her off to the wolves,” Geovani growls out, making sure everyone is clear on how he really feels.

I look back at him, loving that he cares so much but hating it at the same time. It’s like he knows he has to let me go to get the revenge I need, but he can’t quite work out how to let me out of his sight long enough for me to do it. “Geo, we have been over this, I will be fine. What’s the worst that can happen at high tea?” I laugh, but the serious expressions on all their faces stop me.

“Alex will drop her off and collect her when the event finishes,” Maddox tells him.

My eyes flick back to him. This is not what we talked about. “What? I have my own car; I don’t need you lot driving me around.”

Maddox moves across the kitchen and comes to stand on the other side of the kitchen island, crossing one arm over the other as his eyes meet mine. “If you want to leave this house, you won’t be doing it without one of us at your side.”

I stand in a rush, ready to fight them on this. “I don’t need you lot babysitting me.”

Ricky takes my hand, his eyes meeting mine as he strokes it softly, trying to calm me down. “We know you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself. But what we’re about to do is extremely dangerous, and it would make us feel more comfortable if you weren’t alone if you don’t have to be. Don’t take it personally, even Sloane has a bodyguard, and she’s badass.”

“You guys don’t understand what it’s like to be a girl,” I say, knowing I won’t be able to change their minds, but it just sucks.

“Don’t look at it like we’re being overprotective so much as you’re playing a part and you need to look like my fiancée, and my parents both know how protective I am of what’s mine.” Alessandro strides into the room, already dress in a sharp suit. “They wouldn’t buy it if we didn’t make it look legit,” he adds, kissing my forehead.

“Fake yours!” I add with a sly smile, still not ready to admit to anything.

“Whatever you need to tell yourself to keep this up is okay with me, sweetheart.”

“Keep telling yourself that, boss.” I shove him in the chest as he advances on me.

Behind me I feel Geovani stand as well, anger radiating off him.

Alessandro looks over me at him. “Good to have you back, cousin. Now we can finish what we started.”

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