Page 12 of Vengeful Vows

“Really that’s not necessary.” My protest is automatic and instinctive. Suddenly I can’t catch a full breath, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to until he is nowhere near.

“We’re dating. I will see you home.” His words have an edge of finality that I dare not argue with.

Instead, I nod.

Marse glances toward the corner, and a massive ox of a man steps from the shadows, sending a frisson of fear through me.

“My driver,” Marse explains. “Sergio.”

What kind of man attends an event like this with his own well-dressed driver? And frankly, Sergio doesn’t look like any chauffeur I’ve ever seen. If Marse were not standing next to me, the man would scare the hell out of me.

“Do you need to say good night to anyone?” Marse offers. “Your friend is looking at us.”

How does he know that? But he’s right. I can’t walk out without a word to anyone. “I’d better speak with her. And maybe my brother.”

“I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Really,” I protest again, “there’s no…”

Without another word, his driver on his heels, Marcello is gone, leaving me alone to collect my wayward thoughts, my unfinished sentence hanging in the air.

Exhaling, confused by the enigma that is Marcello Donati, I glance around for my brother, but he appears to be deep in conversation with Adriana’s father.

Before I can walk toward Amelia, she appears at my side.

“You’re going home with him!”

“Absolutely not.” I shake my head. “But he is driving me back to my condo.”

“I’ll bet you a hundred dollars that he tries to convince you to change your mind and go to his place.” She taps her index finger on her chin. “Or that he’ll want to come in for a nightcap.”

Because I have a sense she is right, I don’t take the bet. And the scariest thing is that I might be the one extending the invitation.

“You two looked as if you’ve danced a dozen times before.”

Toward the end, after I relaxed and found the rhythm, it seemed that way to me as well. “Were you spying?”

“Of course I was.” As she shrugs, she grins. “And don’t pretend you wouldn’t have done the same thing if the situation had been reversed.”

Because I would have done exactly that, I have to hide my smile.

“Be careful, okay?”

“I’ll text you.”

“Do. And I want alllll the deets. Don’t leave anything out.”

I roll my eyes. No matter how much I share, it won’t be enough, and she’ll either invite me for coffee to catch up, or she’ll drop in at my office uninvited.

Still, I’m strangely reluctant to tell her that he’s decided we’re dating and that we may share a future together. The idea is preposterous, and she’ll think so too. And I don’t want her to worry that I’m leaving with a madman.

Even if you are, a voice inside me whispers.

One of her friends walks over, interrupting our conversation.

After we exchange a quick hug, I head toward the elevator, but Marcello beckons me to a different one farther on. Until now, I haven’t noticed it.

Before I get there, Sergio has already pushed the call button and the doors have slid apart.

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