Page 56 of The Art of Ruin

“You ate part of it,” Rossi points out from the armchair.

Matteo tosses our head of security and friend a dirty look. “Whose side are you on?”

Rossi smirks as Elena places a hand on his shoulder in affection. He squeezes her hand gently before he glances at Letty. “Hers. Always hers.”

Casey laughs again, softer this time, and Matteo immediately points at her triumphantly. “There she is.”

The words are teasing.

But something in the room shifts slightly anyway.

Casey’s smile falters for half a second as all eyes land on her.

Too brief for Letty to notice, but not brief enough for me to miss it.

Isabella shoots Matteo a look sharp enough to draw blood.

“What?” he asks innocently.

“Try having thoughts privately.”

“I’m charming publicly.”

“You’re exhausting publicly.”

“That, too.”

Nico appears from the kitchen carrying wine glasses. “Adriano, stop standing in the doorway like a hitman and sit down.”

I move further into the room slowly, my attention catching briefly on Casey again as she reaches for another gumdrop from the bowl.

Her phone lights up beside her.

The screen flashes so quickly I don’t catch the name.

I do catch the reaction.

The way her fingers still briefly before she flips the phone face down without checking it properly.

Conversation continues around her uninterrupted.

Only Casey goes quieter afterward, withdrawing into herself in a way I don’t like.

Again.

I sit opposite her, loosening my cuffs while Letty climbs directly into my lap, holding three gingerbread men and what looks concerningly like glitter. Fuck me, I’m gonna be wearing glitter to yet another meeting tomorrow.

“Why is there craft herpes on your face?” Matteo asks her.

“Matteo,” Elena snaps.

“Why is there real herpes on yours?” I ask deadpan.

“Adi,” Elena admonishes but with less fierceness.

I smirk and sip my water.

“What? I do not. How dare you? My face could launch a thousand ships. Women go wild for this face.”