Page 52

“The only winter wedding I went to, the groom slipped on ice leaving the church, broke his leg, and spent the weekend in the hospital,” I argued.

Ivry pursed her lips. “He wouldn’t have if his best man wasn’t doing shots of whiskey before the ceremony!”

A smirk flickered at the corner of my mouth before I could stop it. We had drunk an entire bottle, and I’d produced a second that day. “And the maid of honor wasn’t plying the bride with tequila?”

“That was different!” Ivry protested, throwing up her hands. “We only had one! For old time’s sakes!”

Demyan barked a laugh. “There’s never a dull moment with the Ravello family, is there?”

Ivry gave up scowling and laughed. “No. Welcome to the family, my love.”

She rose on the tips of her toes, pecked her fiancé on the cheek, and then squealed when he wrapped his arm around her. I took a step back, letting them have their moment, and as I turned, my gaze clashed with a pair of soft, soulful eyes.

They stole the air from my lungs.

Mine.

The noise of the party faded away as I crossed the room. Bodies knocked to the side like bowling pins, and the cheerful tune of silent night seemed to play just for us.

“Buona sera, Uliva. Buona sera…Rosetta,” I breathed, coming to a stop before the two most beautiful women in the room. There might be decades between them, but the way they stood, proud and regal, they could have been twins.

“Don Ravello,” Rose said with a clipped nod.

“Lucian!” Uliva threw her arms over my shoulders and tugged me down to plant a kiss on both my cheeks. “Buone feste! Oh! I forgot to tell Drew something. I’ll be right back.”

Rosetta started, half reached for her grandmother, then dropped her hand to fist in the pale blue of her skirt.

You look stunning. “Can I offer you a drink?”

My voice came out rough and funny. I hoped it wasn’t too like the one I used when I caught her in the dark.

Sweat coated on my palms. It was hard to breathe in here.

Rose wet her lips but shook her head. “No, but thank you.”

I frowned. “Not thirsty?”

“Parched, actually,” she responded with a toss of her head. “But I don’t trust that you won’t slip anything into it.”

Rose gave my pocket a pointed look.

The ground swayed under my feet. She’d seen that?

Of course, she did, stupid. Rosetta was a mother of twin boys. Nothing was safe from her observation.

“I can explain,” I said quietly.

Rose crossed her arms over her chest. “No need. It’s not my business what the mob does.”

Dio mio, this was not how I wanted tonight to go. Not even close.

“There won’t be a body bag, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I gritted out.

I regretted the words immediately. It was the wrong thing to say.

“I should hope not,” Rose scoffed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to find my nonna.”

I flexed and fisted my hand against my trousers. I fucked up. Badly. Tonight was my one shot to introduce Rose to my home and my world, and now it was ruined.