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“I could use a drink,” Theo decides, so the three of us wander over to one of the bars set up at random spots along the cavernous first floor. The closest is in the library, where dozens of strangers mingle with drinks in hand.

We’re waiting to be served when Theo clears his throat, then discreetly nods in the direction of a man standing near the door. My stomach sinks when I realize who I’m looking at, but I play it off, making eye contact with my brother so he knows I get the message.

“What is happening?” June whispers, her gaze moving around the room. “I hate it when you guys have these silent conversations.”

“The guy with the mustache,” I whisper close to her ear. Fuck, I wish she didn’t smell so good.

“You mean the lip curtain?”

I almost choke on my swallowed laughter before nodding. “Derek’s younger brother.”

She releases a breath before lifting a bare shoulder. “He won’t recognize you.”

“We recognized him,” Theo murmurs as we step up to the bar.

“Always a ray of sunshine.” June rolls her eyes again, looking toward the door. “He’s gone.”

No. He isn’t. He’s approaching the bar as Theo orders our drinks. Keep moving, keep moving. We don’t need any complications at the eleventh hour.

My heart is pounding like a trip-hammer by the time Theo turns to hand over our champagne flutes. David Castillo comes to a stop behind him, staring at the back of his head. “I would know that voice anywhere.”

That’s it. It’s over. All this preparation, only to be taken down by this asshole. From what I remember, he’s not quite as disgusting as his brother Derek, but he’s not above the family business either.

Theo’s spine stiffens as he turns to face David. They’re roughly the same height, but Theo is in much better shape. David’s paunch is clearly visible, even with his tux jacket buttoned, and his jowls are starting to sag. A little too much indulging. “Let’s not hold up the line,” Theo murmurs, gesturing for us to follow him farther into the room, where a spot has opened up by the fireplace, currently sitting dark and unused.

“Isn’t it funny?” David asks, swirling what looks like whiskey in a tumbler. “You came back from the dead the week my brother ended up dead in an alley.”

“Oh, did he?” Theo asks, lifting his champagne to his lips after clicking his tongue in mock sympathy. “I hadn’t heard.”

“And I guess you didn’t know he was married to your old girlfriend either. The two of you hooked up back in the day, didn’t you? At least that’s what I heard.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

David looks at me, giving me an up-and-down glance. “I know who you are too. You were never too far behind your big brother. You mean to tell me you brought your supposedly dead brother to the home of his old boss to . . . what? Stage a big surprise resurrection?” His dark eyes glitter.

“Do we need to talk about this outside?” I ask while June fairly vibrates next to me.

“I don’t think so.” David purses his lips like he’s thinking about it before shaking his head. “No. That won’t be necessary. I wouldn’t want to hold you up from what you came here to do.”

Do we believe him? Ordinarily, I wouldn’t trust the fucker as far as I can throw him, which wouldn’t be far. “And why would you let us do that?” I ask. If my grip on this champagne flute gets any tighter, I’ll smash it in my hand.

“You really have to ask?” He chuckles. “Obviously, with Derek gone, the next logical person to assume control of the family business is me. It certainly won’t be my sister-in-law,” he adds with a snicker that makes Theo’s jaw clench.

“We’re supposed to trust you?” I ask while Theo glares at him.

“Do you have any reason not to? What would I gain from ratting you out?”

That’s true. If there’s one thing a Castillo is good for, it’s looking out for their own best interest. He has everything to gain, at least in his own imagination.

He raises his glass to my brother and me before winking at June, who shivers. “Good luck.” With that he wanders off, soon falling into conversation with a pair of women in the far corner of the room.

We need to get this over with. Fast. If he remembered my brother by voice after all these years, someone else might as well. My collar is suddenly too tight, the room too warm with so many bodies packed in it. “He won’t be hard to find,” I murmur, winding my arm around June’s when it seems like her feet are bolted to the floor. She walks alongside me with Theo on her left, the three of us taking our time, fighting to look casual.

All it takes is the sight of the crowd gathering at the foot of the sweeping staircase leading to the second floor to tell me we have found our target. The sight of Matteo Terrentino, standing there, two steps above his adoring associates and so-called friends, leaves a bitter taste in my mouth no amount of champagne can wash away. “Bingo,” I whisper.

June gulps, taking in the sight of him. He is impressive, I’ll give him that. Gray-streaked black hair shimmers in light from the chandelier hanging above. He’s just as lean and fit as ever, with the kind of laugh that rises above even a space as noisy as this. “The buffet has been laid out in the dining room, please help yourselves,” he offers.

“You’re up.” Theo gives June a little nudge. “He’ll be fine. Bat your eyelashes, act like you’re impressed. He’ll follow you anywhere.”