Page 6 of Savage Prince

“You know Uncle Luca had her guard meticulously vetted before he hired him.”

“And still he missed all that shit about the Ferrara family.”

Matteo shrugs. “I guess even the great Luca Valentino isn’t completely infallible.”

“Right. How are your parents by the way? Your five hundred siblings?”

With a grin, he takes another sip before answering. “They’re fine overall.Papàand Uncle Marco have been on Alessandro and me about taking over the Geminis. Technically as eldest, it should fall on Ale, but he loves the club and wants nothing to do with Gemini Corp.”

“And you?”

His shoulders lift again, accentuating the tight fit of his jacket. Damn, Matteo has been working out. And it looks goodon him. Too bad we’re related. “I don’t know. I’ve gone into the office a few days a week over the summer since you and Bells abandoned me for Italy. I’ve been working with Sam in the cyber security department. That part I like, but CEO? I’m not sure about that.”

“Once a hacker, always a hacker.”

“Exactly.” He shoots me a grin over the rim of his glass.

A waiter appears dressed in a leopard floral print shirt I recognize from the latest collection at D&G. “Excuse me, your table is ready.”

“Yes!” Bella pulls free of her guard and bounces on her stilettos. “Let’s eat!”

CHAPTER 4

SOMEWHERE PRIVATE

Serena

Neon lights are strung between ancient trees, painting everything in a surreal glow. The peaceful Parco Sempione is transformed into a vibrant, beating heart of music and movement. I move to the rhythm, the bass resonating through the ground, mirroring the heartbeat of the gathered masses. It’s a freeing escape; all the usual shit that gathers around my shoulders dissolving into the night.

Tonight is the first night since I arrived in Milano that I feel free to just be me. With my family surrounding me, I don’t have to be Serena Valentino, heiress and aspiring fashion designer. I can just have fun and let loose and not think about a damned thing. Most would have no idea the burden of responsibility I feel, which is why I do my best to drown it out with a life of partying and meaningless sex.

My therapist says it’s normal given my rather particular upbringing, so we’re still working on it. My phone vibrates in my purse, and I fish it out, the flash of the shiny metal of my gunglinting beneath the lights. Finally, a response from Santi. I’d been texting him all night to come meet up with us.

Santi: I think I’m going to stay in tonight.

Me: Are you serious? Since when do you miss a Friday night out?

Santi: It’ll be good for you to spend time with your family.

Me: Come on! I really want you here.

I wait for the telltale sign of blue bubbles that he’s typing a response, but I see nothing. A second later the annoyingSanti has notifications silencedpops up. Damn it.

“Everything okay?” Isabella shimmies her way closer, sipping her cocktail from a bright pink straw.

“Yeah, it’s just my friend Santi. He was supposed to come meet up with us and he cancelled.”

“Oh, that sucks. I was looking forward to meeting him. He sounds like a lot of fun from all your tales of wild nights out.”

“He’s the best.”

“What’s wrong with you two?” Matteo asks.

Alessandro and Alessia saunter up behind him, the twins impeccably dressed as always in their mom’s designs. My aunt Jia has her own fashion label with her flagship store in Manhattan. She’s the one who got me the internship with Dolce & Gabbana and has been my inspiration for years.

“Nothing is wrong, right, Sere?” Bella grabs my hand and spins me in a circle.

“Nothing at all.” I give my cousins a smile as I give into the beat of the pounding bass, and I’m squeezed between Ale and Alessia in a twin sandwich.

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