Page 93 of Poison Vows

“Yes, yes! This is my daughter!” Senator Hughes responds just as happily. “Ivy, come and meet the Eastons!”

What in the ever-loving freak is this?

Why is he and Senator Hughes acting like this is the first time we’ve met?

“Relax,” Vaughn suddenly whispers to me. “They have to make it seem like we’re unfamiliar with each other.”

We very much are still unfamiliar, but what’s with the act?

Apprehension courses through my veins as Vaughn ushers me closer to the men with a smile on his face, clearly going along with this charade.

“Senator, this is my pride and joy, my firstborn son, Vaughn,” Emilio says with pride, gesturing to his son who comes forward to shake Senator Hughes’s hand as if they’ve never met. “From now on, he’ll be taking on more responsibilities. He’ll be treating you just right, Senator. No need to worry.”

“Is that so? Young men that are sincere and considerate are in short supply lately,” Senator Hughes responds happily. “Your son has a bright future ahead of him.”

“Of course, of course,” Emilio says cheerfully.

“You said he’s your eldest son. Do you have another?” Senator Hughes questions.

“Yes! Lucien, he’s seventeen and away at school,” Emilio states with pride.

So, Vaughn has a brother… something he never once mentioned during the many ‘dates’ he took me on.

“That’s good,” Senator Hughes praises. Then he turns to look at me with a huge fake smile on his face. “Gentlemen, this is my daughter, Ivy.”

I almost hurl right there and then.

I fight hard to remain calm, but my weak body almost sways with repressed rage.

I look up at the three men in front of me, all handsome, tall, with a slight tan, and dark hair, and dark eyes.

The Easton Family resemblance is slightly there, but Emmett is by far a creation of utter reverence. None of these ‘uncles’ even come close.

“Ivy, this is my father, Emilio,” Vaughn says calmly, introducing me, but I can’t help but notice his hand tighten at the small of my back. “And these are my uncles, Giovanni and Angelo.”

“Pleased to meet you, Ivy,” Emilio says happily as he shakes my hand. His acting ability is worthy of a Golden Globe at the very least.

When I go to shake Giovanni’s hand, he’s staring at me so intently, goosebumps appear on my arms.

“You look familiar,” he says, his Italian thick. “Have I seen you somewhere before?”

A chill goes down my spine.

“Of course she does!” Angelo cuts in. Taking my hand, he squeezes it gently, then kisses the back of it. I recognize him as the man that was staring at Vaughn earlier. “She’s the spitting image of her mother. Very beautiful. An unrivaled beauty, indeed!”

They all laugh as Beverly pretends to look shy, like a blushing bride who’s not at all cunning.

Standing next to Beverly, Melissa’s heated gaze is on me, but I ignore her.

The men start conversing with each other mostly about politics, approval ratings, and the like, lighting cigars and drinking, while some women I hadn’t even noticed are now conversing with Beverly.

It doesn’t escape my notice how familiar they all seem… and yet they had to put on an act like we’re meeting for the first time. Why?

“Is everything on track on your end?” Senator Hughes questions in a low voice, looking at Emilio and then to Giovanni.

“There’s no need to worry,” Giovanni says with the first genuine smile I’ve seen on his face tonight. It makes a shiver go down my spine. “It’s certain this time. That militia has never failed, not once!”

Militia?

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