Page 105 of Sweetest Sin
We’ve only just sat back down when Hillary says, “So, Dominick, Lorenzo tells me that you’re partnering on the waterfront expansion in South Harbor Point. That’s exciting.”
“I’m here to watch my brother fight,” Dominick says tersely, “not be interviewed.”
When I glance at him in confusion, he says, “Hillary used to be a reporter.”
My eyes widen at that tidbit of information because why in the world would Lorenzo be dating a reporter of all people when they have so much to hide?
“I’m retired,” she says with a forced smile.
“Oh, what do you do now?” I ask politely, refraining from asking how a woman who looks to be in her twenties can already be retired.
“I’m in between jobs. I moved here from Georgia?—”
“Really?” Dominick asks, cutting her off. “I could’ve sworn you were from Coral Bay, and I don’t believe getting fired for not showing up to work is the equivalent of retiring. But I could be wrong.”
“Oh! I’m from Coral Bay,” I tell her, trying to ignore Dominick’s rudeness. “New Town. How about you?”
She swallows thickly, her eyes darting between Dominick and me, and there’s clearly something off with her, but Lorenzo obviously cares about her, so I’m not about to ostracize her, like Dominick is doing.
“Yes,” she says slowly. “I moved from Georgia to Coral Bay for a job, but the producers and I didn’t see eye to eye, so they let me go before I could quit. And now, I’m trying to figure out what I should do next.”
“I totally get that,” I tell her. “Any ideas on what your next move will be?”
“Based on the size of that ring, I’m thinking trophy wife,” Brielle deadpans.
“Bri!” I hiss, wondering what the hell is wrong with her and her brothers.
Dominick snorts out a laugh, and Brielle shrugs.
“Stop your shit,” Lorenzo says, glaring at Brielle. “Nobody has said a word about you being home for weeks now and doing nothing with your life, so don’t judge others.” He protectively wraps his arm around his fiancée, who I notice flinches but quickly schools her features. “Hillary is working as my assistant while she figures things out, and she’s doing a damn good job.”
Brielle shoots daggers at Lorenzo, but thankfully, the music gets louder, and the lights lower slightly, indicating the start of the fight. Usually, on televised fights, there are several smaller fights leading up to the main event, but apparently, here, there’s only one fight.
Since we’re above the people on the ground level, we can see without standing, but that doesn’t stop me from getting up and walking toward the front so I can get a better view of Matteo fighting.
It’s been years since I’ve watched a fight—since my parents were still together—and as he gets announced and walks out with the music pumping and his entourage flanking him, I can’t help the way my heart pounds in my chest. I know Matteo isn’t my dad. He would never hurt anyone he claims to love. But that doesn’t stop my brain from connecting the two. I wanted to be here to support Matteo, but now, I’m wondering if that was a mistake.
Thankfully, Dominick comes up behind me and encircles his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“So, how much did you bet?” I ask, watching as the other guy comes out and gets booed.
“I don’t bet,” he says. “I hate him fighting, but it’s what he feels he needs to do to exorcise whatever demons he has, so I support him.”
“You’re a good brother,” I tell him, reaching up and kissing the corner of his jaw.
The fight begins, and the guys circle each other for a few seconds before Irvin takes his first swing, missing Matteo’s face by an inch. Matteo retaliates by rushing Irvin and lands a few strategic hits. The fight goes on for several minutes, and when I ask Dominick how long each round is, he tells me that there are no rounds. They fight until one can’t fight anymore.
They’re both evenly matched, their punches and kicks landing, and when Matteo stumbles back, I worry Irvin is going to get the upper hand. But then it’s as if Matteo gets a second wind because he comes back harder, faster, more determined. Every punch is delivered in rapid-fire, and before we know it, Irvin is knocked out cold, and the ring announcer is congratulating Matteo on his win.
The crowd goes crazy, and I’m about to ask Dominick if we can go down and see Matteo when an alarm sounds, making me jump.
“Fire alarm,” Dominick says as everyone starts to push their way out of the warehouse. “Stay with me.”
He threads his fingers through mine, and I follow him out of the VIP area.
At first, I assume someone’s pulling a prank, but when the smoke starts to filter in, obscuring our vision, I know it’s not a mistake. Someone set the warehouse on fire.
Dominick, Lorenzo, and the guards get us out through a back exit. When the door opens and I suck in a breath of fresh air, I realize how bad the smoke was in there.
