Page 99 of Dance of Deception

Vito sighs, like he’s dealing with a stubborn child. “Was,” he says sharply. “And now it’s over, and it’s time to go.”

The way he says it is even and without a trace of anger. But there’s still a power that resonates just under the surface, and I can tell even my mother feels it.

Vera hesitates, then flicks her gaze toward me. “You think this marriage will save you?” Her lips curl. “Stupid thing. You don’t even know what you’ve walked into.”

She turns on her heel and strides out. Two Barone men fall into step on either side of her.

Vito clears his throat, turning to smile kindly at Milena.

“Ms. Kalishnik, would you mind if I had a moment with my soon-to-be daughter-in-law?”

Milena glances at me. I nod quietly. “See you out there.”

She reaches over and squeezes my hand before she slips from the room.

Silence lingers.

I can't move. Can't breathe. I’m still reeling.

Vito sighs, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Weddings. They have a way of making people act out, don’t they?”

I laugh, but it’s forced.

Vito studies me for a moment. “I understand tough parents.” He sighs. “Trust me. My father was a tyrant.”

I glance at him, surprised by the warmth in his voice.

“You know, Lyra, I have a bit of a habit of taking in strays.”

A curious smile twists my lips. “Strays?”

“Dante. Bianca. Neither of them is mine. Well, you know that. But I raised them as my own. They’re family now.” He meets my gaze, serious. “After today, you are too. No matter what.”

My throat tightens. I blink rapidly, nodding. “Thank you,” I croak out quietly.

“You know,” he says chattily, “Carmine is a lot of things. Intense. Impulsive. Terrifying, when he wants to be.” His lips twist slightly, like he’s amusing himself. “But if nothing else, he’s loyal to the people he calls his own.”

I press my lips together, unsure how to respond. There’s something oddly comforting about Vito's manner—like he understands exactly what’s running through my head without me needing to say a word.

“Carmine fights for what’s his,” he continues, leaning back against the vanity. “Always has. He doesn’t do anything halfway. That goes for business, family, and…well, marriage.” He watches me closely. “Hechoseyou, Lyra. And once Carmine decides something is his, he doesn’t let go."

That should probably unsettle me more than it does. Instead, I find myself nodding, rolling the weight of his words around in my head.

Vito smirks knowingly. “And if he steps out of line with you, you come tell me so I can straighten his ass out.”

That startles a laugh out of me, shaky but genuine. “I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”

His smirk softens, becomes more sincere. “Look, I know my son. He’s not easy. He’s got more rough edges than he does soft spots. But he doesn’t abandon the people in his corner. You may not have planned for this, but you’re in that corner now.”

I swallow hard, my fingers twisting in my lap. It’s a strange feeling, being reassured by a man whose family I barely know or understand. But Vito’s words ease something tight in my chest that I hadn’t even realized was coiled there.

Vito rubs his jaw. “I was hoping I, ah, might ask a favor of you.”

I tilt my head. “Of course?”

He smiles, his eyes finding mine. “How would you feel if I walked you down the aisle?”

I hold his gaze, then nod firmly as I blink rapidly. “I think I’d like that very much,” I say quietly.

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