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I look between the two of them. Something’s up. I suspect what it might be, but I’m not in the mood to hear it at this moment.
“I’m going up to my room. But at dinner, I want to hear all about your trip.”
“I had fun with my grandma and grandpa,” Elysse chimes in. “But they had to go back to England.”
“Glad to hear it.” I give her a thumbs-up. I look at Elio. “See you at dinner.”
Up in my room, I slip out of my heels, take off my blazer, and go to my bathroom to splash water on my face and pull my attitude together. I don’t think I succeed, but I can’t avoid dinner. Not when there’s so much going on that Elio needs to be caught up on. I slip my shoes back on and return downstairs for dinner.
When I reach the dining room, Matteo drapes an arm over my shoulders. "Looks like you need a drink. I'll fix you something strong."
He heads to the bar in the corner as I make my way to my seat. I accept the glass Matteo hands me, downing half of it in one gulp. The burn of alcohol does little to dull the agitation gnawing at my insides. How long can we keep this up? How long before Detective Lutz and his partner find something we can't explain away?
And why can't I get those damn blue eyes out of my head?
I watch Elio and his family. Elysse's giggles fill the room. Piper and Elio’s faces are glowing with contentment. It’s like Elio found his missing pieces and now he’s whole again.
I worry I’ll never be whole again. What if they’re right and Lazaro is dead? Since the day he went missing, a piece of me has been empty. My parents weren’t saints, but even their loss feels like a hole.
At the time, Elio and I both threw ourselves into the family business, using work as a shield against the grief from our losses. We'd become experts at avoidance, filling our days with meetings, deals, and damage control.
But now, watching Elio with Piper and Elysse, that has changed. The joy radiating from my brother is undeniable. Piper's return has breathed new life into him, softening the hard edges grief had carved into his soul.
And where does that leave me?
I feel a pang of guilt at the bitterness creeping into my thoughts. I should be happy for Elio. He deserves happiness. But witnessing it makes me feel more alone.
Matteo sits across from me, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, lovebirds, how was the honeymoon? Did you even leave the hotel room?"
Elio chokes on his wine while Piper's cheeks flush a deep crimson. I can’t help but smirk at their embarrassment. They brought it on themselves with their lovey-dovey glances.
Elio throws a bread roll at his cousin. "Jealous, Matty?"
Matteo catches the roll. "Of you? Never. I prefer my freedom."
“Everyone knows Matteo is one-and-done when it comes to women.”
He grins. “What can I say? I like women.”
“One and done what?” Elysse asks.
Elio clears his throat.
“Uh…” Piper seems at a loss.
“Playing games,” I answer.
Elysse’s brow furrows, surely not understanding why Matteo only plays a game with one woman. “I learned how to play Rummy. Grandma taught me.”
“Are you as killer at it as you are in Go Fish?” Matteo asks.
“I won three times.”
“We need to take her to Vegas, Cuz,” Matteo jokes with Elio.
Elio reaches over and takes Piper’s hand. “We have some news.”
My stomach clenches, knowing what’s coming and feeling the need to guard against more happy news. God, I’m a bitch.
