Page 80 of Twisted Games of Revenge

It’s the strangest thing. I thought marrying him would make me feel weaker, but it’s the opposite. For tonight, the boys have agreed we should keep our news to ourselves. Alessandro is planning some big reveal that will piss off his parents, something with wide media coverage for next week. And I’m okay with it.

The staff direct us through to a great hall with a long dining table down the center and a stone bar off to one side stockedwith all the boys’ top-shelf favorites. A sense of nostalgia washes over me even though I know I haven’t visited this room before on either of the other occasions I was here. The scent of fresh flowers hangs in the air, and I notice Valentina has given the place her usual attention to detail, with opulent floral table runners in whites and greens.

I can’t help but wonder if this was where they had family meals growing up. The place is so cold; lavish, yes, but it has no family warmth to it. No personal photos or charm. I couldn’t imagine a little boy who had just lost his mom having to sit at this grand mahogany table and eat his dinner. My child won’t know this life. I already know there is no way I will allow it.

The air vibrates with laughter as Valentina and Julia Palmer waltz into the room, the clinking of their martini glasses as they spot us.

I glance toward the boys, eyebrow raised. What the hell is she doing here?

“You’re all here.” Valentina rushes toward us, her face flushed with excitement, and probably too many drinks.

The boys all greet her, but it’s me where her attention lingers. She kisses my cheek and takes my hand. “I hope you’re feeling better, dear. Enzo mentioned you were ill.” With a piercing gaze, her shrewd eyes search my face.

I hold her gaze, raising a brow in question. “Much better, thank you.” I fake a smile, wanting to move on before she puts two and two together. I’m not ready for her and Enzo to know our happy news just yet.

“Oh good. You remember Julia. She and Walt are joining us for a meal tonight.” She grins at her friend, inviting her to join us.

And there it is. The real reason we have been invited to the estate tonight. The police commissioner is here with his wife. They are either showing me off or something more sinister is atplay, but either way, I don’t like it. That man gives me the creeps, and I don’t want to be stuck in the same city as him, much less the same estate.

Alessandro hands me a drink. “Martini,” he says, but the look in his eyes indicates it’s a virgin and that’s why he got it for me before Valentina could.

“Thank you.” I smile at him, grateful he is already one step ahead.

“My whole wonderful family is here.” Enzo’s voice booms through the room as he enters with the commissioner by his side. The two of them approach us in a waft of expensive cologne and cigar smoke.

My stomach rolls. Maybe I’m not completely over the morning sickness. Or it could just be that the sight of those two disgusting humans together is too much for me.

Enzo kisses both my cheeks in greeting. “Have you met Vivian, my beautiful daughter-in-law to-be?”

The commissioner’s eyes roam down my body much like they did the first time we met. Creepy as fuck and in a way that makes me want to stab him in the eyeballs with my knife so he can’t do it again. “I’m delighted to say I have had the pleasure at your fabulous garden party. You have done quite well for yourself, Alessandro.”

He takes my hand, and I can’t help but cringe at the touch of his clammy fingers.

Alessandro’s arm comes around my waist, and he pulls me out of his grip and safely back toward him. “I have. I’m very lucky to have found such a wonderful woman.” The way he growls it with so much possession, I know he’s telling the commissioner to back the fuck off. And I get the distinct impression that these two have had a run-in already. There is no love between them like when Enzo talks of him.

Enzo hooks his arm with mine. “Vivian, I would like to show you around my home. The rest of you can stay and have a drink while we wait for dinner to be served.”

I cast a quick look toward Alessandro, knowing he doesn’t want me being left with alone with his papa. “I will join you,” he says.

Enzo’s hand clamps down on his shoulder. “Stay and keep an eye on your mother for me. She’s already had a few too many drinks.”

“Ricky, keep an eye on Ma,” Alessandro says, ignoring his papa in a way that makes me want to giggle, but I stifle it. Now is not the time.

“Sure thing, boss.” He smiles playfully, he and Maddox moving across to the bar where Valentina and Julia have made themselves comfortable.

Geovani lingers with us like he promised me he would, just a step behind. But unfortunately, so does the commissioner, chatting to Geovani about Maddox’s upcoming fight. I try to listen in, part of me having nearly forgotten it was even happening. Apparently, it’s only two weeks away. That would explain why he’s so buff at the moment. And sexy as hell.

We walk through to an indoor pool room. “Vivian, I’m told the boys have all moved from the mansion into your apartment. It must be awfully crowded there. Have you considered moving into their space with them? A nice big home for you to grow your family in—once you’re married, of course.”

“If we needed housing advice from you, old man, we would ask for it,” Alessandro snips, and I can see he’s not going to play nice tonight.

I offer a smile toward Enzo, trying to soften Alessandro’s words before things between him and his papa get out of hand. “Thank you for your concern, Enzo. I am very happy at myapartment, and the boys can stay or leave as they please. For now, our arrangement works for all of us.”

“Your arrangement with all the boys?” he asks, brow raised in question and a smirk twisting his lips. The last conversation we had, he implied Alex would share me, but we haven’t spoken since, and right now, the last thing I want is to discuss whatever my relationship is with him. But I know he’s watching me, and he just said himself that they have all moved in. Is he just waiting for me to paint him a picture?

“You raised them to be close. I’m sure you’re aware that where there is one Moretti brother, there will be all of them.” I try to laugh it off and keep it light, not really saying anything at the same time.

He stops abruptly, his beady eyes scrutinizing me in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable.

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