Page 282 of Kissing the Villain

Sonny took the lead, his hand on my lower back, right above my ass. He embraced me in his strong arms, clutching my hand as he twirled me. We moved to the beat of the music, consumed by the Argentinian romantic dance.

He was light on his feet, graceful for a man his size. I had no clue what to do, and he guided me through each step, telling me to follow his lead. As my heels slid across the floor, I peeked over at Luca. His eyes burned a hole through me. He looked as if he wanted to yank me from Sonny’s arms and steal a kiss from my lips.

Luca wasn’t the only one staring. Sonny’s dad stared at me with interest, with his other sons at his sides, their eyes on me. They looked like industry titans in their shiny suits, armed with delicious smiles.

When the song ended, Luca shot up from his table, adjusting the gold cufflink at his wrist as he walked over to us. He looked good enough to eat. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he owned every speck of fabric attached to his body. A genuine smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. I loved it when he smiled.

He clutched my hip, and Sonny loosened his grip. “Having fun, beautiful?”

My smile widened. “A blast.”

He gave me one of his signature smirks that set my panties on fire.

Arlo stood at the front of the ballroom with a glass of champagne in one hand and a microphone in the other. It was customary for the Founders to pat themselves on the back, congratulating each other for being the masters of the universe. Damian, Bastian, and Marcello stood at his sides.

“It’s showtime,” Luca said. “Are you ready?”

He pulled out my chair and took his place beside his father. My grandfather sat beside me and raised a glass of scotch to his lips. His gaze traveled around the room as he surveyed the guests’ mood.

Arlo tapped the microphone with his finger to test the volume. “Welcome, friends and Founders.”

Everyone watched him intently, hanging onto every word he spoke. Luca’s eyes found mine, his muscles stiff as his dad continued his speech. The Salvatore men were proud of their standing in the community. Kings and princes were among commoners, their imaginary crowns floating above their heads.

“Cent’anni,” Arlo finished with his glass raised. “To another hundred years.”

A server passed a champagne flute to my mother and then handed one to me. I downed the liquid in one gulp. The band started playing again, and now people were out of their chairs and walking toward the dance floor.

Pops extended his hand to me. “Can I have this dance?”

I beamed with excitement. “Of course.”

We moved to the dance floor, arm in arm. My dad danced with my mom, sweeping her off her feet. Pops took the lead, and I smiled at him as we danced to the slow song. Most of the roomwas on the floor with us, laughing and smiling. It was the perfect event, exactly how the Belles had planned.

My father yelled, “Scarlett!”

I turned in time to see my mom’s head fall backward. Her body went limp as her long blonde hair draped over my father’s arm.What the hell?I slid out of Pops’ grasp, approaching my parents with caution.

“Someone call 911,” my dad yelled.

The crowd erupted into chaos as people produced their cell phones. A woman called out that an ambulance was on its way. Pops pushed his way through the crowd to get to my mother.

I rushed to his side. “What’s wrong with her?”

“I don’t know,” he choked out with tears in his eyes. He pressed his fingers to my mom's neck to check her pulse.

My heart hammered against my ribcage, ready to escape from my chest. Dad was in shock, so Pops yanked her from his arms. We moved through the ballroom in a hurry.

Sirens blared from a distance, approaching the marina as we stepped outside. The ambulance pulled up at the curb. Pops rushed forward, cradling my mother against his chest. He exchanged a few words with the paramedics. Then, they took her body from him and laid her on a stretcher.

Pops climbed into the back of the ambulance. The crowd moved outside, surrounding us. A police car pulled up at the curb. Then came the fire truck.

Tears streamed down my face, my mascara staining my cheeks. I didn’t even realize I was crying until Luca moved behind me, the scent of sandalwood and the sea filling my nostrils. He wrapped his strong arms around my middle.

He rested his chin on my shoulder. “I want you to pretend you’re sitting at the cliff’s edge with me,” he whispered in my ear and hugged me so tight I couldn’t move. “You’re safe. I got you. Just close your eyes, Drea. Everything will be okay.”

Aiden appeared at my side and rested his hand on my shoulder. “Mom’s dead.”

Someone murdered her.

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