Page 31 of Where Dark Hearts Devour
When I return to the table, rain is lashing against the windows, the late spring weather reflecting my volatile mood. One minute I’m upbeat and the sun’s shining; the next I’m as low as I can possibly be and thunderclouds are emptying themselves over every corner of my world.
I’m attracted to my future brother-in-law.
And if his cryptic response to my last question was what I think it was, he’s attracted to me too.
I feel sick and lightheaded.
Cristiano and Papa are discussing something at one end of the table, with Allegra and my sisters at the other. Sera andBambi are doing something on Bambi’s phone, while Tess and my aunt bicker over something inconsequential. I sigh inwardly and sit next to Tess and Allegra, feigning interest in their low-key quarrel.
“Can we talk about something else?” Tess whines, jerking her chin toward me. “The wedding. What’s the latest?”
My stomach drops, and my eyes involuntarily find Cristiano’s. His face is turned toward Papa’s, his chin resting on his curled fist, but his eyes keep flicking sideways, watching me.
I turn away before my cheeks heat. “I don’t know anything about it.”
Tess lifts a glass to her lips and extends a finger toward Allegra. “Do you?”
“I’ve had some ideas. I was hoping to talk to Savero about it this evening,” Allegra replies, looking personally offended he didn’t show.
Tess flashes me a glance.
I look down at the linen napkin I’m bunching between my fingers. “He’s not coming.”
“How do you know?” Tess places her empty glass on the table, the loud clang turning Papa’s head.
“It’s ten p.m. already.” I shrug. “And he sent his brother in his place. At least I know what his priorities are before I marry him. My expectations won’t have to come crashing down after the wedding—they’ll already be on the floor.” I pick up a glass of whiskey that hasn’t been touched and throw half the double measure down my throat.
“Trilby Castellano,” Allegra hisses. “What’s gotten into you?”
The whiskey burns, but I manage to swallow. “What?”
“You don’t know the reasons why he didn’t show ...”
“And I never will,” I say tightly.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m never going to know where he is, what he’s doing, who he’s with. It’s not my place, is it? Not in his world. I have to sit back, do as I’m told, and live with it.” I circle the whiskey glass, watching the amber catch the light. “So there’s no point in speculating. I’ll only ever know as much as you.” I glance at her wide-eyed expression. “Which is nothing at all.” Then I down the rest of the glass.
Allegra seethes silently, while Tess gleefully scours the table for more whiskey. What could be more entertaining: me having another disagreement with Allegra, or me having another disagreement with Allegra, drunk?
My aunt and I stare at each other until a shadow falls over us both.
“Excuse me, ladies.”
His voice brings me out in goose bumps. I glance up—a long way up—until I find his face.
“Oh! Mr. Di Santo ...” Allegra springs up from her seat, but Cristiano puts his hand on her shoulders.
It’s then I think the one thing I never thought possible: Right now, I’d give anything to be my aunt.
“Please sit.” He coaxes her back down. “And please, call me Cristiano.”
Allegra gulps loudly.
“I’m about to leave, but may I have a word with your niece?”
Allegra frowns. “Serafina? Well, yes, of course.”
