Page 121 of Carnal

I sniff hard, willing Pina to admit she's with me.

She spins and claims, "I never confirmed that."

"You didn't deny it, either," Katiya mumbles.

"You don't have a place to talk. This is about you two and your issues. Not—" She snaps her mouth shut.

Katiya glares at them. "Not about you two?"

"Kind of hypocritical, don't you think?" Massimo says to Katiya.

She nods. "Totally."

Uncomfortable silence fills the dock. Massimo breaks it by saying, "Dante's going to kill you."

"Shut up," I bark, not needing him to acknowledge Pina's fears.

He chuckles. "Come on, dolce. We're on vacation. Just ignore them while they sit on their high horses."

She lifts her head higher, and they return to the bungalow.

Pina glares at me.

"Guess the cat's out of the bag," I cockily state.

"You're such an ass."

"No, I'm not. And you love me, so let's have a good time and not worry about it," I declare.

She grabs my arm. "Tristano! Please! I'm begging you. Tell them not to say a word. I'm... I'm not ready to tell Dante."

"Pina, I'm tired of hiding."

She scrunches her face and lowers her voice. "Give me a little more time. Please. We can convince Massimo and Katiya not to say anything for now. I promise it'll be soon, just..." She swallows hard. "Give me another month. Please."

"Why do you need a month?"

She squeezes her eyes shut. "Let Dante get past the wedding. I-I don't want him stressed before it. Please."

"This isn't—"

Massimo yells, "Well? Are you coming for a drink or not?"

Pina shoots me a look of death then marches toward them.

I follow her, not happy.

"Sit," Massimo orders, pointing to the chair.

We obey.

Massimo hands me a beer and the ladies another coconut drink. He takes a sip and then announces, "Tomorrow at this time, Katiya will be my wife. You will treat her with respect. You will apologize for your rude behavior. You will not ever again have me followed. Do you understand?"

I stay quiet and scowl. I'm pissed I didn't trust my brother. I'm disappointed in myself for bugging his plane and other things I've done. But most of all, I don't want to hide anymore.

He picks up his phone, threatening, "Should I call Dante right now?"

"No! Please don't!" Pina begs.

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