Page 34 of Vengeful Vows

“Of course.” With a polite nod, Lorenzo releases me.

Since Marcello is still scowling, I’m tempted to apologize, but I’ve done nothing wrong, so I clamp my mouth shut.

Lorenzo takes the seat between us, and Marcello pours him a glass of champagne as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.

Lifting his glass, Lorenzo takes a drink before settling back. “How are you enjoying the Bella Rosa?” he asks me.

“I can’t believe the opulence and the attention to customer service.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“And thank you for the bubbly. It’s exquisite.”

“Nothing but the best for family.”

What has Marcello told him about me? Then I realize he’s being polite. Marcello is family, and I’m just the woman who happens to be with him this evening.

Absently I wonder how many other dates he’s brought here, and instant jealousy surges through me.

Until this moment, I’ve never experienced this kind of emotion, and I hate how it makes me reel.

But it turns out if he can be possessive, so can I.

“Are you enjoying your visit to Sin City?” Lorenzo asks me, apparently unconcerned by Marcello’s glare.

“Very much,” I say. “My friends and I would love to come back.”

“Just mention my name when you call for reservations.”

In happy surprise, I blink. “Are you serious?”

“Always happy to have you back.”

“If you come back, it will be with me,” Marcello states, his voice deadly calm and leaving no room for negotiation.

“We host numerous girls’ trips,” Lorenzo muses.

Dismissively, Marcello waves a hand. I see the two emeralds in the ring he is wearing flash in the overhead light. Until now, I hadn’t noticed that Lorenzo wears one as well. A family signet? Or something else entirely?

Lorenzo doesn’t seem to take offense. Instead he addresses Marcello. “Your preferred high-stakes room will be opening at midnight.”

So my guess that he likes to gamble was correct.

“Right now, I’m going all-in on the biggest gamble of my life.”

At the way he looks at me, a thrill lodges in my heart.

“Understood.” Lorenzo taps two fingers on the table, then he stands, leaving his champagne all but untouched.

How it happens, I don’t know, but the door opens, and Enrico is there, waiting for him.

“If there’s anything I can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please ask.”

Marcello stands to bid his cousin good night, then smiles at me. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet you. Zara will be disappointed she wasn’t here.”

Zara?

“Give my regards to your wife,” Marcello says.

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