Page 43 of Till Death Do Us Part

“That’s why I’ve been seeing so many dazed men.” I smiled back at her. “They’ve all seen you.”

She was wearing a white jersey dress that she paired with a gold lamé coat. She belonged in an old black and white movie.

She struck a sultry pose, and it made me laugh.

Kerry rushed up, and she and Elsa did air kisses on each cheek. Kerry was glowing. Her sequined pink dress hugged all her curves and set off her stunning eyes. I’d told her so earlier.

“Roma, can you remind the band to play some of the requested songs? When I spoke to Mrs. Maggio, she wanted some of her late husband’s favorite songs to be played.”

“Sure.”

She handed me a list with the songs. I only recognized a few of them. The ones I knew were because of Mamma and Babbo.

Mrs. Maggio? This was some of her late husband’s favorite songs. Felice had told me his father had died of a heart attack, which was why Felice had probably set up the cause in his father’s name. I thought Salvatore Maggio would be proud of his son. The event was a smash, and it seemed like it was raising major funds for all the foundations and charities.

I found the band’s assistant and gave her the list, reminding her of the agreement. She assured me the band hadn’t forgotten. They had a schedule and were sticking to it. I started to make my way back toward the bar, but I stopped, looking up to the second story. I felt eyes on me.

A man stood close to the balcony, leaning over it, a glass of something in his hand, a woman draped over his shoulder. He was looking right at me.

My heart beat so hard and so reckless, I could have sworn it was going to burst from my chest. I stood rooted to my spot, not able to move. The couple turned and disappeared into the crowd a beat later. I wasn’t supposed to drink on the job, but I snatched a glass of champagne from a passing server and downed it. I muffled a belch and grabbed for another.

Call it intuition, but I knew when he’d made his grand entrance on the main floor. The crowd seemed to part for him, hands shooting out from all different directions to shake his.

Felice Maggio created a fine picture in a black tux custom made for his body. His hair was slicked back, and he had dark, sexy stubble for days. His green eyes glinted like haunted treasure.

The only accessory I wasn’t expecting was the woman on his arm. It was hard to tell if she was the same blonde from Halloween. Both were statuesque, but this one seemed a little more...refined somehow. Maybe he had one for each occasion.

Her dress was almost sheer and gave the impression her skin had variegated leopard spots. It shimmered underneath the lights. She was gorgeous, and she knew it.

Someone touched my arm. Kerry.

She took the champagne out of my hand and handed it to a server. “Mr. Maggio is here. I’m relieved everything is running smoothly so far.” She took a breath. “You okay?”

“Huh? Oh.” I turned toward her. “Fine.”

She studied my face, not seeming to buy it, but nodded. “When I had my meeting with him, he told me he was going to marry you.”

All I could do was stare at her. Then I exploded with laughter. “He was joking, right?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Are you going to be uncomfortable around him because of that?”

That’s the problem, I wanted to say.I’m entirely too comfortable around him, even though he makes me breathless and weak.I held my tongue on that front and shook my head.

“I’m sure he was only kidding.”

“One look,” she said. “That’s all it takes for some people to know.”

Know what?I was about to ask, but she stepped forward to take his hand when he walked up to us. He told her how impressed he was with the event and thanked her for all her help. So fucking charming. I almost rolled my eyes, but I remembered who I was—not a child—and stuck my chin up, ready to meet his intense green gaze.

Arm Candy kept her hands on him. She kept rubbing his arm or draping one over his shoulder.

The champagne felt like acid in the back of my throat. When he’d saidenough, I guess he truly meantenough, because he had a backup plan.

“Roma Corvo,” Kerry broke through the laser beams I had on Arm Candy’s hand. “This is Mr. John Maggio—”

“We’ve been acquainted.” I kept my voice even. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Maggio.”

It seemed like the entire world grew quiet as we stared at each other. I couldn’t hold his intense gaze for long, though. I flicked my eyes to the left.

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