Page 6 of Pretty Little Game

I smile cheekily. “It’s part of my charm.”

“You need to stop interacting with the Marchetti twins. Immediately.”

Um, no.“You might be the big bossman and all, but I’m not a member of your Bratva, Ilya. And I’ll do what I want,” I snap.

I love my brother, and I know he just wants to protect me, but I didn’t grow up in his household. I’m not part of his Bratva lifestyle, and I don’t particularly want to play by his rules just because he says I have to. I survived fifteen years without his or my father’s protection–even when my father couldn’t protect himself. I’ll be just fine now.

Ilya snarls so ferociously, I actually flinch, but then he’s whirling for the door, yanking it open with such force, I wonder if he might not rip it entirely off its hinges. I rush after him, worried about what he might do next in his utter rage.

But as we reach the foyer, he turns toward the front door without a word, and I stop in my tracks, relief flooding me as I realize he’s not going to target the twins since he couldn’t get through to me. The door slams behind him with such force that my Italian glass-hanging light fixtures tinkle as they tremble in the aftershock.

“You alright?” Cassio asks after a tense moment of silence.

I release a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I look to meet his eyes and realize both he and Lucca are on their feet, their stances defensive–as if willing to engage with my brother if need be. The thought terrifies me.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine,” I say breathily, forcing a smile onto my face. “Sorry, Ilya can be… opinionated sometimes.”

Gentle compassion shows in both sets of hazel eyes, making me wonder if they aren’t familiar with being on the receiving end of a temper themselves.

“Would it be better if we left?” Cassio offers gently. “We don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

“No,” I say more forcefully than I intended. “Sit.”

Both twins immediately obey, making me smile as the visual reminds me of two dogs heeding their master.

“Normally, that’s followed bystay,” Cassio teases, “then a treat.” The humor dancing in his eyes tells me their obedience might have been an ingrained, synchronized attempt at levity.

Yes, they definitely know how to break the ice with their humor, and for the first time, I wonder just why they’ve needed to hone that skill. I rejoin them at the coffee table, and the tension gradually eases from the atmosphere as their humor lulls me back into a state of comfort.

When the bell rings a short time later, I’m almost trained for an unexpected guest at this point, and I rise from the couch to open the door once again.

“Finally,” I say with exasperation as Ellie’s smiling face appears before me.

“Well, I missed you too,” Ellie teases as she strides past me, two bags full of delicious-smelling to-go food in her hands.

“What’s that?” I ask, nodding to the bags. I’d intended on cooking myself, but to be honest, if she found a better alternative, I’m grateful.

“Is that food from Ever?” Lucca demands with reverence, rising from the couch to join us.

“You know it?” Ellie asks, surprised.

“Know it? I revere it. I would eat Chef Curtis’s creations every day of my life!” Lucca says as he enters the kitchen, Cassio hanging back to watch with mild amusement.

Ellie giggles. “My dad works with Chef Curtis. They’ve collaborated on a number of award-winning dishes.”

“Then you must be the daughter of an angel,” Lucca insists. “It explains why you’re so… positively radiant. I can hardly bring myself to look upon your beauty,” he says as he looks her up and down.

“Oh, I think I’m going to like you,” Ellie responds, setting the bags down on the counter and facing him, her eyes shining with delight. “I’m Elise.”

“But everyone in the world calls her Ellie,” I add, trying to bring the mood down from full-fledged Jane Austen romance to Wollstonecraft romantic comedy before Ellie forgets herself.

“I’m Lucca, Cassio’s smarter and far better-looking twin brother,” he says, flashing Ellie a winning smile before bringing her knuckles to his lips.

Cassio snorts, drawing my attention, and our eyes meet as we both marvel at the heavy level of flirtation. He silently mouths an apology for his brother, and I snicker. I suppose I can just be happy for my friend if they’re going to hit it off this well. Though, I hope Lucca laying it on thick doesn’t mean he’s in it for a quick bang.

I’ve never gotten that impression from the twins before. Then again, that’s probably because they aren’t into me. The thought cuts quick and deep, and I feel the smile slipping from my lips as I realize that Lucca’s response to Ellie more than likely indicates that my suspicions about Cassio are true. I’m not his type.

Forcing down my wave of disappointment, I busy myself with unpacking the food and setting it up buffet-style on the counter for everyone to serve themselves.

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