Page 82 of The Kiss that Captured a Billionaire
His voice died when Apollo and Dorothea Rossi entered. Dorothea looked pale, Apollo drawn—both carrying a mix of embarrassment and fury that clung to them like a second skin.
The Rossi siblings entered behind their parents, subdued and dressed more conservatively than Theo could remember. Gina entered first, perfectly put-together despite the tension in her eyes. Allegra followed, her cream suit a sharp contrast to the guilt softening her expression. Vito trailed them, sporting a black eye and bruised chin, looking like he hadn’t slept in a week.
They hovered in the doorway until Apollo waved them forward, the air charged with awkward anticipation.
“Theo, my children have something to say to you, your fiancée, and your family,” Apollo said, his voice deep and commanding.
“I’m sorry,” Gina muttered.
“Speak up, girl,” Apollo snapped.
Gina pursed her lips. Theo was surprised when instead of resentment, he saw tears of remorse threatening to fall. Gina cleared her throat and spoke again, clearer this time.
“I’m sorry for being a brat to you and Alexandros. I—Daddy—” Gina started to whine, turning to her father.
“You can say your apologies to your mother and me later,” Apollo snapped.
Gina sniffed and wiped at her cheek. “I shouldn’t have behaved the way I did. It was un- unfitting, and- and I won’t do it again,” she choked out.
“It’s Rose you owe the apology to, not me,” Theo bit out, unmoved by Gina’s tears.
“Theo—” Rose chided. “I forgive you.”
“Thank you,” Gina replied in a hoarse voice.
“Vito,” Apollo ordered with a nod of his head.
Vito stepped forward, glanced at Alexandros, then Dani, and winced. He drew in a deep breath.
“I’m sorry I locked Dani in your stateroom, but please remember if I hadn’t, you never would have met.”
“Vito—an apology,” Dorothea demanded.
Vito grimaced and continued. “I’m sorry I talked Gina into climbing into your bathtub, Theo.”
“Oh, dear heavens,” Dorothea muttered, fanning herself.
If he hadn’t wanted to kill Vito, Theo decided he could almost enjoy this moment of torturing the spoiled playboy.
“I’m also sorry I mentioned your girlfriend to my—associates. If it helps, their friends aren’t too happy with me at the moment either,” Vito muttered, lifting a hand to his face.
“You’re lucky I didn’t kill you, Vito. If you ever come near Rose or Dani again, I will,” Theo replied in a voice low enough that only Vito could hear it.
Vito swallowed and paled. “I won’t. I… think it best if I focus on getting my life straightened out,” he said hoarsely, stepping back.
“Vito, you and Gina wait for us in the car,” Apollo ordered.
“Yes, Daddy,” Gina mumbled.
“Yes, Father,” Vito said, hurrying to exit.
“Allegra,” Apollo motioned to his oldest daughter.
Allegra looked at Theo before her eyes turned to Rose. There was almost a wistful expression in them before she lowered her lashes.
“I’m sorry—for everything. I was wrong. I know I was wrong and can never make it up. I-I want you to know I understand why you don’t want to be friends with my sister, brother, and me. I-I hope you won’t blame our parents. It’s not their fault. We werethe ones who made bad choices.” Her gaze moved to Rose, and she stepped closer to smile at her. “It’s crazy, but I learned a lot about myself from this little stunt. It was actually… fun, hanging out a window with you. Maybe if I had made better choices, especially if I had a friend—if I had known someone like you earlier—I could have turned out to be a better person.”
Rose reached out and cupped Allegra’s trembling hands in hers. “It was pretty cool hanging out—literally—with you.” Allegra chuckled and sniffed. “I’m getting married in a couple of weeks. I was wondering if you’d like to be one of my bridesmaids?”
