Burned Dreams - Page 62

“I needed a change.” I shrug.

She gives me an insincere smile and leans closer to me. “You know, I saw an amazing little Chanel clutch in their newest collection. It would go beautifully with my new coat.”

I look at her, focusing on the small, superficial smile straining her lips. How many times has my mother sold her the clothes I’ve bought? She knows I’ve been buying those clothes, and she’s never once asked why a capo’s wife would resort to obtaining money in such a way. Sometimes, I think bystanders are worse than the tormentors.

“I’m sure it would.” I finish my water and place the glass on the side table behind me. “Christmas sales are coming up, make sure you don’t miss them.”

Offering her an equally faux smile, I head across the sunroom. The amount of money I needed to run from Rocco had been astronomical, but with him out of the picture, I have more than enough. I’m going to wait until everything settles down, then take my mom and Vitto and go someplace where Cosa Nostra doesn’t have influence. I won’t risk my brother falling into their hands.

I find a less crowded spot on the other side of the sunroom, beyond the tables with food and the seating areas where most of the guests have congregated, but Pietro spots me and starts in my direction. Coming to this brunch was a mistake. I’m not in the mood for socializing, but anything felt better than staying in my bedroom. Being there made me think about everything Alessandro told me. His words kept replaying in my mind, over and over. And amid the kaleidoscope of everything that happened between us, one thought kept nudging. He was withmewhen we made love.

It’s him again.

I fist my hands and force myself to stop watching Ravenna and Pietro talking on the far side of the buffet table. Not possible. It’s as if my eyes are drawn to them by magnetic energy and nothing can make me look away.

Their conversation seems friendly. Pietro is one of those guys who always does things by the book, so he would never flirt with a married woman. But I’ve seen the way he looks at Ravenna. The moment she’s free, he’ll make his move, and I won’t be there to stop him.

My nails dig into my palms as my fists tighten even more. By all accounts, I should be glad for her. That cultured, straightlaced motherfucker would be a good match for her. Ravenna would be happy with him. Pietro might be an uptight, sophisticated bastard, but he’s more than capable of keeping her safe. Yet . . . My hands ache and rage brews inside my chest. She’s mine! No one should be allowed to keep her safe but me!

I take a deep breath and start counting to ten. My decision has been made. I had to decide between my vow of revenge and her, and I chose the former. I need to let Ravenna go.

Pietro places his hand on the small of Ravenna’s back, and my self-control evaporates. I stride across the room, stopping right behind Ravenna. I’m so close that her ass brushes against my thighs.

“Move,” I bite out, looking down at Pietro.

He tilts his head up and raises an eyebrow. “Oh. Rocco’s watchdog. I was wondering where you were.”

I lean my head so I’m closer to his level. “I said, move.”

Small fingers grab my hand and lightly squeeze.

“It was nice seeing you, Pietro. Say hi to your sister for me.” Ravenna squeezes me again, and then quickly removes her hand from mine. “Alessandro, can you escort me to the ladies’ room?”

I follow Ravenna through the French doors that open to the inside of the main house. We enter a room where the walls are covered in portraits of dogs and old people wearing froufrou clothes. Ravenna passes a couple having a discussion near the grandfather clock and enters a wide hallway leading further inside the house. Halfway down, she stops and turns to face me.

“What the fuck was that?” she whisper-yells.

I grind my teeth. “I’m just doing my job.”

“I don’t think there is a need for you to keep doing it, Alessandro. And we both know very well why.”

Yes, I guess we do. I reach out and brush her cheek with the back of my hand. She is wearing minimal makeup today, just some eyeshadow. Her silk dress is the same emerald-green as her eyes. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to see that color and not be reminded of her.

Ravenna tilts her head to the side, leaning into my touch, and wraps her fingers around my wrist. “When are you leaving?”

“Tonight.”

She nods, and one tear slides down her cheek, dissolving as it connects with my thumb.

“Take care of yourself, Alessandro.” She steps around me, heading back down the hall.

I close my eyes, then turn around and wrap my arms around her from behind. Her scent enters my nose, and I bend, burying my face in her hair. The music and chatter out in the sunroom can be heard all the way back here, but I block out the noise and focus on the feeling of having her in my arms.

Ravenna’s hand slides between our bodies and presses to my painfully hard cock. I might condition my mind to resist her, but my body never will. Every time she’s near, my dick yearns to possess her. I pull her closer to me and inhale again.

“Is there an antidote for this?” I ask as I slide my palms down the front of her thighs and then up, pulling the silky fabric to her waist.

“For what?”