Page 109 of The Veil

“We have a friend back in the city a--,” Tanya cheerfully began.

“If I distract myself with a woman,” he interrupted, “she might end up dead and I don't need that on my watch.”He pointed at me.

“That got dark fast,” I smirked, “but I'm finding you a girlfriend anyway.”

His eyes lowered to the ground before lifting his gaze back to us. “Please continue your walk and I will step back a bit more.” He took several steps backwards, trying to give us a bit more space.

We giggled and Tanya hooked her arm in mine as we strolled through the grounds, chatting about her upcoming wedding and the baby on the way. I was ecstatic that William and Tanya had gotten engaged. Planning her wedding and a baby shower was such a wonderful distraction during this time. We did not dare speak about the recent events as we both needed to avoid that topic for now.

William and Tanya left earlier, and Isabelle had been resting in our bedroom. I continued to work but could not concentrate. I stood by my office window, leaning on the windowsill. Peering out at the rainy night, I took a deep breath and was taken back to the afternoon we buried Marco.

Watching my parents, sister, and other brother, in tears over it broke my heart. I could not tell them everything. My other brother had his suspicions, but my parents and sister remained clueless. It needed to stay that way. They would never understand.

Isabelle did not attend the funeral as she was still recovering. She made her peace with the situation as far as I knew, supporting me through my pain over his death.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out to see a text from her.

Are you coming to bed soon?

I glanced at the time and my mouth fell agape.

Be right there.

Another alert popped up on my phone and I ignored it, sauntering to the stairs. Joseph met me at the bottom, sighing. I spun to him, my eyes widening when I saw his furrowed brow.

“What now, Joseph?”

He sighed, “Your brother is outside the front gate.”

I took a drawn out, deep breath, loudly exhaling, “Let him in.” I stepped on the bottom stair, “I will be back down in a few.”

I hurried up the stairs and into the bedroom. Isabelle was lying in the middle of the bed on her side in a black nightie. I smirked, quietly closing the door behind me. Leaning on the wall, I slid my hands into my pockets, knowing if I took another step, my brother would be waiting until morning to speak to me.

I rolled my eyes, “Alessandro is waiting for me downstairs.”

She slowly moved to her knees. “I don't care,” she arched a brow as she trailed her fingertips over her breasts. “Are you really going to turn me down?”

I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth, shaking my head as I hungrily glared at her.

She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, taunting me, “Come play with me.”

“Cazzo.”

She bit her bottom lip, dipping her fingers into her panties as she arched her back, moaning every so slightly.

I chewed the inside of my cheek hiding my smile, but my eyes gave it away.

“That's what I thought.”

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head as I chuckled darkly. Slowly approaching the bed, I made her nervously giggle in anticipation. She began to move her hips, eagerly awaiting pleasure.

“Let me make two things clear.” I growled, holding up two fingers. I stood over her as she knelt before me on the bed, nodding.

“Yes, Sir?”

I sighed, holding up only my index finger, “Number one, this will have to be very quick as I cannot leave him waiting too long.”

She nodded again, running her fingertips over her nipples seductively, “And number two?”

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