Page 48 of Twisted Games of Revenge

I expect Geovani to start throwing punches, but instead, he kisses my lips. “Be safe today, Red,” he says with more of a kick in his step than he had yesterday, before walking back toward his room like a man on a mission. I narrow my eyes, watching him, wondering what he’s up to?

Chapter 21

Ravens Hollow Country Clubis fancy. The manicured lawns and pristine clubhouse exude luxury. Valentina’s high tea this morning is in a reception room situated on the rolling green hills of the golf course. We also drive past tennis courts and a sign that points to an indoor pool as we come down the treelined driveway. I stare at the reception room from the passenger side of Alessandro’s Aston Martin DB11, frozen to the spot.

Alessandro laces his hand with mine, pulling my thoughts back to him. I was derailing, going down a dark road of what-ifs. But with his handsome face now captivating my attention, I’m distracted. “You look ravishing today, princess.”

I offer a half smile back at him, glad that he thinks so. “I feel like a show pony,” I mutter, trying to straighten out the linen fabric. “But Sloane said this dress would be perfect.”

“You will fit right in with Valentina’s inner circle. They’re all about show. You’re about to see them compete over every little detail of their lives. It’s like a sport to them.”

I roll my eyes dramatically for effect. “I bet. Can’t wait to meet them.” I groan, knowing I need to pull up my big girl panties and get out there. Hey, maybe it will be fun watching these toxic women gossip about each other, because that’s what I imagine these types of events are all about.

“Is that why we have been sitting in the car for five minutes?” he asks.

I let out a heavy sigh, my gaze lingering on him. His smirk is playful, but he knows how uncomfortable these kinds of things make me. And his mother is the worst of all; having to fake being nice to her is almost impossible, but I know it’s important if truly I want to go through with this.

“If you need to escape them, I’m just a phone call away. I can be here in minutes to rescue you.”

I cover my heart. “My hero.”

“I’m serious, princess, if things turn ugly, I’ll get you out of there.”

I offer a small nod to show I understand what he is saying. Then he pushes open his door, and next thing I know, he’s opening my side, holding his hand out for me to take. I swallow down the anxiety in the pit of my stomach and accept his invitation, letting him pull me up to standing. He closes my door with a thud then his hands are on me, running up the sides of my fitted baby-blue sheath dress. He pulls me aggressively into him before smashing his lips with mine.

Jesus Christ. He’s like an animal. But I don’t care. All the nervous energy that was consuming my body is gone, and now all I can think about is him. I let my hands come around the back of his neck, holding him close, until eventually he breaks the kiss, leaving me breathless and panting for more. I stare up at him, lost in a trance. What was that?

He smirks cheekily, his hair falling over his eyes, as his lips drop to my ear. “We have an audience.”

I don’t know why but goosebumps scatter up my arms. I glance over my shoulder and see his mother and her girlfriends watching us with curiosity. I turn back to him, heat radiating off my cheeks. “Oh my God, is that why you kissed me like that?” I slap his chest playfully.

“Got to give them something worth talking about. And now you’re smiling instead of freaking yourself out, so I achieved my goal.” He quickly kisses me again. “Better get in there.” He slides back into the driver’s side of his car, leaving me with a tight knot in my stomach, knowing the gathering of high-profile women had all just seen that little show, and now I have to go have cucumber sandwiches and sip tea with them like a lady. Fuck.

He waves as he drives off, and I glare at him just because.

Valentina greets me as I arrive at the top stair. Both her hands come to mine, and she squeezes gently. Her face lights up with excitement to see me, not a fine line in sight, her skin is so perfectly botoxed. “You made it, darling.”

I plaster on the best fake smile I’ve got, hoping I can survive the day. “Wouldn’t have missed it,” I say with as much perkiness as I can muster, when this is the last thing on earth I want to do with my Saturday morning.

She pulls back from me a little bit, but her hand is still firmly grasping mine. “What is this?” She smiles greedily, her eyes twinkling in a cunning way.

I smirk awkwardly. I knew I would have to deal with the elephant in the room today, but this soon, damn, she’s perceptive. “I have no idea how it happened so quickly, but Alessandro proposed, and I said yes.”

Her nude painted lips form a menacing smile, and I can practically see her planning the event already. What the hell have I got myself into. “I just knew you would be perfect. Enzo will be happy; you got the job done so fast.” She claps her hands,excited, and breathes in a deep breath. “I just knew today would be a good day, it had that feeling in the air,” she sing-songs.

“I’m so glad you’re happy about this. I did worry it was too fast.”

“Never, dear. We have been trying to get that boy tied down for years. The sooner the better, then you can give us grandbabies.”

My skin goes all hot and clammy, and I blink back at her, momentarily lost for words. “Yeah,” I murmur, trying to laugh off the last part of her comment. “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you want him married so quickly?”

She looks down her nose at me. “What did I say about getting involved in the men’s business the other evening? Our job is to support our men, not ask questions, dear.”

“Yes, of course, sorry.”

She hooks her arm with mine. “Now come on, I want to show you off. Just wait until the others hear about this news.”

I keep smiling even though my jaw is clenched so tight I feel like I might snap a tooth.

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