Page 3 of Prince of Malice

“Uh, yes…but would you just give me a minute?” A new idea forms in my mind. “I need to show my face to the new family. Then I’ll be right back. Won’t take long at all,” I ramble, already walking away toward Luca Valenti, the image of him humiliated pulsing in my mind.

“Sure, just don’t keep us waiting,” the woman says.

Marching across the room, I notice the exact moment that Luca catches my eye, and he pulls away slightly, even though I’m nowhere near him. I chuckle, which only makes him squirm more. I lose my stride, stopping for a moment. What the hell was that?

I try my best to shake it off and keep walking. He’s just playing mind games, trying to throw me off my game, but guys like that always have a button to push to set them off—and I really want to find that button.

Mom told me I couldn’t mess this day up for her. That it won’t just make me look bad but the whole family, especially her. I can’t do that to her. However, if Luca is the one to throw a tantrum at the big wedding in front of everyone, he’ll look like an idiot. That’ll knock him down a peg, and I’ll be able to do whatever I want to him.

I grab his arm and pull him away from his pretend conversation, getting right up in his face. He’s so small and meek up close.

“Oh, Dominic Rossi, it’s so nice to see you.” His tone is about as fake as his watch. “I can’t believe this has all happened so quickly.”

“I know, right? It’s surprising. Your father must have been quite desperate.” I have to hide my smile. Don’t want to be too obvious.

Luca laughed off the jab. “Well, I don’t think you can be too desperate for love, now can you?”

I can’t stop my fist from clenching by my side; I’d like to see him laugh off a proper jab.

“Oh, right. Sure. Got to keep up appearances for everyone. Can’t let everyone know just how hopeless you Valentis are,” I say in a hushed tone I only want him to hear.“What’s that supposed to mean?” he says, his anger flashing.

“All I mean is that your father was practically begging for us Rossis to dust off his reputation. This is basically a thank you party for saving your asses,” I push further.

“Very funny, Dom, but that’s no way to talk about family.”

“Exactly. We’re family. This is just how brothers talk to each other. You’ll get used to it.”

“As long as you can take as much as you give.”

What is he thinking? Because I know what I’m thinking…

“Don’t you worry about me; I’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried about. I didn’t suspect the Valenti heir to be so…sensitive.”

“Well, it must be a lot easier being the middle child who’s needed for nothing and can waste their time being a screw-up,” he hisses in my ear.

I grit my teeth and charge at him, grabbing him by the collar and throwing him against the nearest wall.

“Why do you have to be such a smartass?” I yell.

He just laughs, which pisses me off even more. He feels almost weightless in my arms, and tossing him to the floor is easy.

“What’s wrong with you?” I hear from behind me; it’s Salvatore Valenti. “Get away from him!”

Dammit. That piece of shit got to me.

I’m dragged away from their fragile heir as Salvatore’s hands grip my shoulder. My mom pulls me toward her. “What is yourproblem, Dominic? Why can’t you just behave?”

Salvatore helps his son to his feet. Luca’s putting on a show for everyone here, but I’m the only one who can see through it.

“We were talking, and he just attacked me,” he whimpers and I think for a moment about ramming my cock into his pretty little mouth.

“That’s not—” I can’t even get my words out before I’m stifled.

“Enough! Get him away from here,” Salvatore barks, his lackey brothers already escorting me away.

My mom walks over to Luca and brushes off his jacket. “Come here. Are you okay?”

How am I the only one who sees through him?

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