Page 47 of Let Vengeance Be Mine

“Remember, stay close.” Matteo kisses my cheek, again, before getting out of the car and reaching back in to help me out. When I notice the amount of security he has set up here too, I start feelingreallynervous.

“Aria, darling.” His mother greets us in the foyer with a warm, over-the-top welcome, and I look at Matteo in shock when she makes a big fuss and affectionately rubs my bump. “I’m so glad you made it.” Tugging me in for a hug, she lowers her tone to a whisper. “He’s not here yet,” she confirms, pasting on her smile as she takes a glass of champagne from the waiter holding the tray. “Come, there are people I want you to meet.” She links her arm into mine and leads me into her living room. Matteo stays close behind us. Refusing a drink when he’s offered and remaining on edge. I try to stay relaxed, there are a lot more people here than I expected and it’s been a long time since I’ve had to be social. Vivian’s home reminds me of a museum, with its tall ceilings, random sculptures, and the elaborate art that decorates her walls. Anyone can see that she loves entertaining, and I do my best to smile and nod as she introduces me to some of her guests. Despite being on his guard, Matteo is tentative to me, making sure one of the waiters gets me an iced water and keeping his hand wrapped tightly around mine. I can feel how clammy his palm is, and notice how his eyes constantly shift around the room. There are guards on every door, with more of them randomly placed around the room and when I notice Demitri pressing his hand over the earpiece he’s wearing, the nod he gives Matteo tells me this is it. I’m starting to think this was a really bad idea, I feel sick, and my stomach is cramping like I need to use the bathroom.

“Aria Fucchini!” A voice I recognise calls out from behind us. Silencing all the chatty voices and the sound of the harp being played in the corner of the room.

Matteo’s whole body tenses as we both turn around and face the man we’ve been avoiding for almost a year. My father looks different to how I remember, smaller somehow and much older. His eyes drop to my bulging stomach and stretch with shock and fury.

“Her name is no longer Fucchini…Aria is a Romano now,” Matteo corrects him, showing no fear. He lifts up my hand to show him my wedding band, as evidence.

All his nerves seem to have vanished, he’s as steady as a rock and I realize I’m seeing the version of Matteo Romano that the rest of the world gets, now.

“What is this?” My father starts striding toward us, and one of Matteo’s guards immediately blocks his path.

“Get out of my way, that is my daughter!” he yells, pointing his finger over the guard's shoulder at me. “Aria, explain!”

My mouth moves to speak but no words come out. I can tell from the look on his face that he had no idea I would be here.

“Stevan, will you not congratulate us? Aria is soon to deliver you a healthy grandson.” There's a sarcastic bite to Matteo’s tone as he strokes his hand proudly over my bump, and my father says nothing, just glances at the crowd surrounding us, looking overwhelmed.

“Aria, it's been a while since I saw you.” He manages to pull himself back together and pastes on a smile, “Perhaps you and I could talk in private.”

Matteo places himself in front of me, protectively.

“I’d like a word with you myself, first,” he tells him.

“Very well.” My father nods his head, and when Matteo turns around to face me, the pure rage on his face makes me even more anxious.

“I’ll make this right,” he promises, kissing my forehead before he steps towards my father and stands down his guard.

“Follow me. I have somewhere private we can talk.” I hear him utter to my father as he passes him, not looking back to check if he follows as he marches back through to the hall. My father shakes his head at me in disappointment before he turns around and follows after my husband.

“Well, I think that went rather well.” Vivian smiles, toasting her glass before she continues talking to the couple she introduced me to, a few minutes ago. The air around me starts to feel tight, the walls feel like they’re spinning and when I notice one of Matteo’s guards standing watch by the patio doors, I head straight over to him.

“I need some air.” I clasp at the necklace I’m wearing when it starts feeling like it's choking me, and he nods his head quickly, checking the coast is clear before he moves aside and lets me out.

He remains close and vigilant, no doubt on Matteo’s orders and I make his job a little easier for him by taking a chair at the bistro table that's close to the door. I take in some deep breaths and try to stay calm, but the fact my father and husband hate each other and are currently in the same room doesn’t make it easy. I hear the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor and when I look back toward the door I see Menika. She looks disgustingly beautiful, and skinny, in the long, glittery dress she’s wearing.

“Are you okay, I saw you rush out?” She seems to be genuinely concerned, and I must be desperate for a distraction because I nod my head at Matteo’s guard so he’ll let her pass.

“Vivian explained the situation to me, I’m sure Matteo will smooth things over with your father, he’s very good at negotiating,” she assures me, pulling up a chair and sitting beside me. I doubt very much that Vivian has told hereverythingbut I smile gratefully, anyway.

“And is this the part where you tell me that's not all he’s good at?” I raise my eyebrows and slouch back in my chair, the baby’s dropped much lower these past few days, and having him press against my pelvis is becoming really uncomfortable.

“Well, I won’t deny it.” She shrugs, and something about the face she pulls actually has me laughing.

“Look, what me and Matteo had wasn’t special. I was a distraction for him at a time when he was really struggling,” she admits, almost becoming human.

“When his father died?” I nod sadly, thinking back to the conversation I had with him on the beach. I can tell how affected Matteo is by his father’s death, and the fact Matteo wants to do things so differently with our child proves that he’s going to be a great father.

“No, when he lost Thalia and their baby.” Menika’s words send my body into shock and when I look up at her in confusion, she immediately slams her hand over her mouth.

“What did you just say?” I check I’ve heard her right, sitting back up straight.

“Nothing, just forget it. I… I should get back to the party.” She goes to stand up but I grab her arm and drag her back down.

“No, you will tell me what you just said,” I order, my heart starting to thump wildly in my chest as the sick feeling in my gut grows stronger.

“I don’t think I should. You should speak to Matteo. I’m sorry, I thought you knew.” She looks really scared, and the fact she’s not giving me answers infuriates me.

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