Page 58 of Where Dark Hearts Devour
“When do you think you’ll be back?”
“Couple of days. I’m sorry to burden you with this,fratello. Especially when this is only a short visit.”
“I’m fine,” I say tightly. “It’s not a burden.”
“Okay, listen. Call her aunt—what’s her name ...?”
My brows knit. “Allegra.”
“Yeah, her. Invite her over, or one of her trillion sisters, so you don’t have to engage in too much small talk.”
I almost laugh down the phone. Small talk is the least of my problems.
“Don’t worry about me. Or her. You just focus on finding that son of a bitch.”
I can hear the relief in his voice now he’s off the hook from domestic responsibilities, and I wonder how he’s going to manage once he actually has a wife.
“I will. I’ll call when it’s done.”
There’s a click on the other end of the line, and I slowly lower the phone, my gaze floating like a feather to the woman standing in front of me. She’s wrapped in a large towel, but her shoulders peek over the top, still carrying droplets of water, and her hair hangs in wet ringlets around her face. Her cheeks are pink from the steam, but her eyes are wide.
“Was that Savero?”
I nod and slide the phone into my back pocket.
“Is he okay?” she asks in a whisper.
Something inside me burns. “Yes, he’s good. You’re staying here until he returns.”
She swallows. “How long will that be?”
“Couple of days.”
Something fearful flashes across her face. “Why can’t I go home?”
“We’ve discussed this. You’re not safe there.”
“We didn’t ‘discuss’ it—you told me and assumed I agreed.”
“You’re staying here. End of story.”
She blinks rapidly, as if it’s finally dawned on her what this engagement actually means: her life will never be the same again.
“I have a gown fitting tomorrow,” she says, staring at the wall behind me.
“I’ll take you.”
She looks back at me sharply. “Youare going to take me to a bridal gown fitting?”
I shrug. “Sure.”
“I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” My eyes narrow in a challenge. “I’m going to be your brother soon enough. This is a brotherly thing to do.”
Her lips part, and her neck flushes pink. I know what she’s thinking. A brother wouldn’t confess to wanting to kiss her. A brother wouldn’t blatantly stare at her while she showered.
Her shoulders deflate. “I was going to go with Allegra.”
