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I smiled at his furious expression, my resentment turning to anticipation as I replied, ‘And what if I were to suggest making Eva my wife?’

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Evie

As I was led into the ballroom, I spotted Vito walking towards me. I burst into a run, aware of Dante’s dark presence behind him.

‘Vito!’ I cried as he scooped me into his arms and hugged me.

Dante had informed me that morning my brother-in-law was arriving to negotiate a truce. I’d peppered him with questions, about what that meant for me, for us, and he’d blanked me, as he’d been doing for three days now. But as I’d waited in the suite to be called downstairs, I’d realised the outcome of their negotiations would almost certainly involve me leaving Cala Verde. Leaving Dante.

And the prospect had devastated me. Even though Dante’s silent routine over the past three days had proved he still viewed me as nothing more than a bargaining chip in his battle with Vito.

How had I allowed myself to become so invested in a relationship which had never been real, not to him, anyway?

Had I only imagined all those tender moments, when we had spooned late at night, when I had seen the admiration, the interest in his eyes as well as the need? How could I have believed we had begun to build something together—if not love, at least trust? How could I have read so much into his hunger for me, when it had been so easy for him to shut me out—while still making love to me as if he couldn’t live without me?

As Vito released me from his bear hug, I spotted Dante watching us both intently.

What was that about? Because he didn’t look indifferent any more.

I swallowed down the stupid surge of hope, though. And forced myself to school my features, even if my insides were churning.

‘Are you well, Evie?’ Vito said, searching my expression. The fierce protectiveness helped to soothe my raw emotions. He had become the big brother I’d never had, and never knew I needed.

I nodded, my emotions torn between happiness at seeing Vito—knowing I would also be seeing Mia and the baby soon—and regret, sadness, even grief, as Dante continued to stare at us both.

I still couldn’t make myself believe he was about to discard me.

Delusional, much?

‘Yes, I’ve been treated well,’ I said, my cheeks heating.

Vito frowned, reading my reaction far too easily. But when he spoke, the censure in his voice was not aimed at me.

‘Dante has told me you were untouched, a virgin. And that he has had you in his bed all this time.’

The blush became radioactive. Good grief.

Why on earth would Dante tell Vito that? Was he trying to make things even more combative between them? Because it sounded like a boast, and it was clear Vito was furious with this development.

‘Is this correct, Evie?’ he asked, a muscle in his cheek flexing ominously.

‘Well, yes,’ I managed. ‘But I’m not sure it’s anyone’s business but mine.’

Vito frowned, because he was an impossibly alpha guy who clearly considered the taking of my virginity by his brother some kind of affront. Given that Dante had behaved in the same Neanderthal way when declaring me ‘his woman’ and not Vito’s in front of his men, I wasn’t particularly surprised by this reaction. But no way was I going to allow my virginity to become another one of the spoils in the turf war between them.

‘He didn’t force me,’ I continued. ‘In fact, he didn’t even know he was my first…’ I gulped down the massive boulder of embarrassment making my throat hurt ‘…until…you know, after we’d done it.’

‘If he disrespects you in this way, he also disrespects me, because you are part of my family. And under my protection.’

‘OK, but…’ I began.

‘Today, I have formally proposed a merger between Malvini and Rocco,’ Vito interrupted me, changing the subject so abruptly I was surprised I didn’t get whiplash. ‘As Dante is of Rocco blood, he has a right to a share of our father’s syndicate. We were brothers once and if we can be brothers again, the Malvini-Rocco alliance would make us the most powerful crime family in Italy and beyond. This would give all of us greater protection from the threats we face,’ Vito said, giving me an insight into his business and Dante’s—and the negotiations—which I would never have expected.

Mia had always kept me one step removed from Vito’s criminal activities, shielding me as if I was still a kid. So, while I was surprised Vito had trusted me enough to treat me like an adult, I also appreciated it, a lot.

That said, I was still bewildered as to why he was giving me this information.