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It's so much worse than I could ever imagine.
With digital panels covering every inch of the ceiling, wall, and floor, modern technology has turned illusion into reality, and what should've been just a hotel ballroom has been transformed into a grand hall of gilded mirrors and shadows.
Quite befitting of our host, the so-called Prince of Darkness, but because of the way the side of my neck is still smarting—-
I might as well be blind to the magic and beauty of my surroundings, with my older brothers now standing in front of me and simultaneously crossing their arms over their chests.
Uh. Oh.
I feel like squirming to no end as they stare grimly at the glaring evidence of my husband's mark. Their wives aren't any help, with not one of them even attempting to keep a straight face.
Really, guys? Really?
I square my shoulders and lift my chin.
Am I embarrassed to death that my brothers have to see my hickey?
Absolutely.
But because I don't want to risk having my husband think I'm ashamed of him again, I decide to brazen it out and smile brightly at my brothers. I'm thinking I should just say something (anything!) to change the subject, but just as I open my mouth, I hear a familiar voice gasp from behind.
"Is that a hickey?"
And of course, it's no one but Sarica.
Grrr.
Lorenzo's hand settles on the small of my back as we turn around, and I fight against the urge to cover my neck when I see Sarica also accompanied by my grandmother.
"I did not expect this from you, Lorenzo," Nonna says.
My husband only looks at her, and my grandmother turns to me with an exasperated look. "Is he like this with you, too?"
I look at her blankly. "Like what?"
"That."
"I don't understand."
The older woman's gaze turns cunning. "I see."
And because I've known her my whole life, I know she'd never say that without reason.
There's definitely something Nonna sees but I don't, and when I glance at my husband, I'm stunned and absolutely upset to see his high-boned cheeks faintly flushed.
No!
I automatically reach up to cover his cheeks. "Stop it!"
In the corner of my eye, I realize I've taken my whole famiglia by surprise, and all of them have tensed as if expecting war to break out any moment.
Oh no.
I'm about to assure them this is nothing serious when I notice how Lorenzo's cheeks have darkened with color.
I stare at him accusingly. "You promised!"
"Mi dispiace." My husband's tone is gruffly apologetic.
