Page 78 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

Turning their backs to Affonso and Emma, Calistobought Kelsey closer to his side.

“And?” he asked.

“You were right.”

Calisto sighed. “Yeah, I usually am.”

“It wasn’t worth it.”

“At least you know now. It took me years to figure itout, and by then, I was already trapped.”

Kelsey didn’t ask what Calisto meant.

He was grateful.

“You’re irritated tonight,” Calisto heard a familiarvoice say from up the stairwell.

Ray.

“My wife,” came the reply.

Affonso.

Confused, Calisto quietly and carefully rounded thestairs. During events at the Donati home, the guests weren’t permitted toexplore. Certain people would be overlooked if Affonso offered them a drink inprivate, but the Donati Don rarely left his guests unattended.

It wasn’t like Affonso to leave the party.

After sending Kelsey back to her apartment with adriver, Calisto had wandered around the party and milled with some of theguests. He’d fielded questions about the mysterious girl he brought along ashis date with a charming smile and nothing more.

He didn’t want people to know who Kelsey was. That wasby her choice.

She didn’t need to be a part of their world. She wasan innocent bystander.

Nothing more.

“Isn’t it always the woman?” Ray asked.

Affonso chuckled dryly. “I think so, with theirdemands and needs. Drives me insane.”

Calisto stopped halfway up the stairs. He’d tried tokeep an eye on Emma all night, just to make sure she was okay. The woman couldwear a mask like nobody knew, but he could see right through it. She played herpart well, but underneath her false smile was her unhappiness.

He’d been too busy over the last couple of weeks tovisit.

It bothered him that Affonso was complaining aboutEmma, for whatever reason he had complaints.

What had happened?

“She’s as cold as ice, I swear,” Affonso growled. “Ican’t get more than two words out of her without her barking at me. Give meyour drink, would you?”

“Yeah, here,” Ray replied. “Is this about your wife,or something else?”

“You’re going to have to be more specific, Ray.”

“You’re more irritated than normal lately. I couldn’thelp but notice Calisto shows up with a woman at his side, and you get evenmore ruffled at the collar.”

“Was she Italian, I wonder?”

“Could have been,” Ray said.