Page 39 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
I slide my cell back into the inside pocket of my jacket.
“I’m going to visit my fiancée,” I say, then drink the rest of the coffee.
Contessa renews her glare—I feel it on the side of my face. I’m surprised she isn’t making at least some effort to get to know her boyfriend’s brother and soon-to-be brother in law.
“Is she expecting you?” Cristiano asks, a slight frown touching his brow.
A smile tugs at one corner of my mouth. “You should know by now I value the element of surprise.”
In the corner of my eye, Contessa picks up her phone but Benito shoots her a warning look.
“The seamstress is at the house today,” Benito says. “I think Trilby is with her, right?”
Cristiano’s eyes light up for a lightning short moment and he nods, then turns to me. “What are your plans for after the wedding?”
“I’m renovating a house in Winchester. It will ready in a week.”
“Just in time.” Benito smiles.
“What about your house?” Arrow asks him. “It burned down I hear?”
I don’t miss the devious glance my brother shoots at Contessa. In that split second they share a connection so electric it makes my own pulse hum.
The sane part of me wants to crack up laughing at how pussy-whipped both of these powerful men are, but another part of me suddenly aches to get out of here and on the road to my fiancée. I spent two weeks fighting an attraction to the second eldest Castellano sister, and now, I don’t have to. Because soon enough, she’ll be mine.
“It’s coming along,” Benito clips.
Well, look at that. The Queen of the Glare and the King of Cryptic are impeccably matched.
“Well, if there’s nothing more you need from us, gentlemen…” Arrow asks as I stand and button my jacket.
Cristiano tilts his head to one side and eyes me. “Not right now. We’ll get our men prepared and let you know when we’re ready.”
Arrow nods. “We’ll wait for your call.”
“We’re keen to move fast,” I remind them. “Those gangs are, frankly, giving crime a bad name. They need to be removed.”
I sweep my gaze across the terrace as we bid them farewell. It’s been a long time coming but I feel sated tofinally be a part of this. My own empire has just doubled in power, meaning Boston is all but mine. The day it is undisputedly Corioni territory cannot come soon enough.
Allegra Castellano’s eyes almost pop out of her head when she opens the door and sees me and Arrow standing on the stoop.
“Mr. Corioni! Um… it’s a pleasure to see you. What can I do for you?”
My chest feels uncharacteristically light. “I’ve come to visit my fiancée,” I reply, enjoying the way the word feels as it moves along my tongue.
Allegra looks over her shoulder toward the stairs and then swings back to me with an apologetic look. “She’s having her bridal gown fitted right now. You know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her gown before the wedding. It may be a while…”
“I’ll wait,” I say, polite but firm.
“Um, okay.” She steps aside hesitantly. “Come on in. I’ll fetch Tony.”
We follow her through the house to a lounge and sit dutifully on one of the sofas. Then she disappears and returns a few moments later with Serafina’s father.
“Andreas!” He smiles and I stand to shake his hand. “We weren’t expecting you.”
“People rarely are,” I reply. “This is Arrow.”
“Good to meet you,” Castellano says with a nod. “The fitting will be over soon. Can we get you both a drink?”
