Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Fabiano had been surprised when I’d asked him to take me to dinner with him but then he’d actually seemed relieved. Nevio had been furious at first but then an excited gleam had entered his eyes and I’d known he’d use his night off to do what he always did at night. Maybe I should have stayed with him to prevent the worst, but today I was being irrevocably selfish.
“You are tense,” I told Fabiano when we arrived in front of the townhouse where the Vitiellos lived.
Fabiano gave me a tight smile.
“Nothing for you to worry about. You are perfectly safe.”
“I know.”
He nodded once then we got out and walked up the stairs to the front door. Fabiano looked up to a camera above our heads and his expression was even tenser than before. I wondered why he’d agreed to have dinner with the Vitiellos if this bothered him so much.
I didn’t get the chance to ask him because the door swung open and Aria Vitiello stood before us with a bright smile. “Fabiano, Greta, welcome.”
I gave her a tiny smile. Behind her Luca Vitiello came into view. His expression was hostile when it settled on Fabiano and only slightly softened when he gazed down on me.
I swallowed but my anxiety turned to a nervous flutter in my belly when I stepped into the entrance hall where Amo was waiting beside his sister Marcella and his younger brother Valerio, who shared his mother’s blond hair and reminded me remarkably of Fabiano. Even if I hadn’t known Fabiano and Aria were siblings, I would have suspected it by their similar appearances.
I hovered a few steps from them, making sure I smiled at them all, and didn’t only stare at Amo. My body longed to be closer to him but I held back. Valerio gave me a brief grin. He was already much taller than me though he was three years younger than me. Marcella gave me a restrained smile. My gaze caught on the diamond ear clip that hid her missing earlobe. I usually wasn’t interested in gossip but the story of her kidnapping and her marriage to a biker had stirred up waves high enough to crash even through my bubble of obliviousness.
Amo’s eyes caught mine as we headed into the dining room, and my belly did another flip. I wanted to be alone with him.
I dragged my eyes away before someone noticed. Fabiano was busy glaring at Luca, and Aria was busy looking concerned so we were safe for now but I didn’t want to be too daring.
Soon the cook came in with trays loaded with food. Lamb. Roasted potatoes with pancetta. Creamy spinach with parmesan.
She took my plate to serve me first as the only female guest but I quickly shook my head. “Nothing for me. Thank you.”
Everyone stared at me and my pulse sped up, a soft whooshing filling my ears.
“Sorry, I didn’t expect you to come along. I forgot to tell them,” Fabiano said with a grimace.
“Tell us what?” Aria asked, worry flitting across her face.
“I’m vegan so I don’t eat animal products.”
“Her brother and father slaughter people as a favorite pastime, and she doesn’t like to hurt animals,” Valerio exclaimed, starting to laugh as if it was the greatest joke of all time.
“That’s not how we treat guests,” Amo snarled, sending his brother a scowl.
Marcella’s attentive gaze moved lazily between Amo and me, reminding me of a cat about to pounce on her prey.
His mother blinked then cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, Greta. I’m sure our cook can whip up something for you really quick.”
The cook looked a little panicky. Many people found the idea of cooking without animal products daunting and it showed in their creations. Only Kiara had mastered the art of cooking for me. “No cheese? Cream? Eggs? Butter?”
I shook my head, feeling pity for the poor woman. She wasn’t dealing well with being put on the spot like that.
“How about I show you to the kitchen so you can check our cupboards and fridge for something you can eat?” Amo suggested.
“That would be very nice of you,” I said, trying not to sound too eager at the prospect of being alone with Amo.
Amo rose and so did I.
“Not going to happen,” Fabiano said, rising to his feet as well.
“Our son has been brought up to respect women and is capable of controlling himself, unlike the Falcone trio,” Luca said. Aria cleared her throat, her eyes widening in warning.
“Last week’s newspaper showed him respecting women all over the front page,” Fabiano said with a very unsettling smile. I could tell things were quickly going downhill but I wasn’t sure how to stop it. I wasn’t sure what Fabiano was referring to either.
“I didn’t know you kept up with our current affairs.”
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right?”