Page 67 of Untamed
“I am home, Gracie.” My heart swells with love, and if he wasn’t back to holding me, I swear my legs would give way. Massio beams in my direction, and she pulls back with a playful pout. Her long blonde hair touches her hips, and the way she wraps her arms around Vinny and kisses his lips while Vinny strokes over her ass, has me feeling a little uncomfortable at the attraction they have toward one another.
“Ignore them. They’re hopelessly in love.” Massio chuckles, then clears his throat.
“Sorry,” Vinny adds, but doesn’t appear sorry at all with the way his hands roam over Gracie’s body almost like he’s discovering her for the first time.
“Can you imagine having to live in a house with them?” Massio jokes.
“Oh, wow.” I giggle.
“Right? They were at it all the time. It was like I wasn’t even there.”
My eyebrows shoot up. Has he witnessed them having sex? Did he participate? Again, jealousy creeps into my bloodstream.
“You’re beautiful and so perfect for him. I’m all excited, can I help plan the wedding? Oh my, we could have it at the ranch,” Gracie blurts out while beaming in my direction. She truly is happy for us, and some of the uncertainty I felt moments agoslips away. “It would look stunning. That’s okay, isn’t it, Vinny? They can have the wedding at home.” Gracie’s enthusiasm has Vinny chuckling, whereas Massio and I look from one another to Gracie in confusion.
“She heard there was an engagement.” Vinny taps her ass. “Sorry about that. You said Theodora was aware of your plans though, right?” Vinny adds.
My mouth falls open, and Massio’s jaw tics, and his shoulders straighten.
“Oh, shit. She didn’t know you were getting engaged?” Vinny surmises as his eyes widen.
“We’re married already,” Massio clips out.
Vinny rolls back on his heels, the confusion evident on his face. “Then whose fucking engagement am I here for?”
“What?” Massio asks.
Vinny leans in closer. “I had it on good authority that I was making this trip solely due to it being a surprise engagement party.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, if you could please take your seats, Mr. Garratt has an announcement!” a voice declares over a speaker.
“Guess we’re about to find out,” Vinny grumbles. “We should have stayed home after all.” He leads Gracie toward the table next to ours.
“Shhh,” she chastises as they walk away.
“Come on. Let’s listen, then we’re getting the fuck out of here,” Massio says, and his hand entwines with mine. Curious glances are cast our way, but Massio appears completely unperturbed. I swear I can feel the heat of my mother’s glare on the back of my head; she’s definitely planning my demise.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
MASSIO
My phone buzzes in my pants pocket, but I make no move to answer it. Now is not the time. Although, it would be the perfect excuse to leave the room and take Thea with me.
A throat clears, and I turn my attention toward the stage. Mr. Garratt, the old coot from Veronica’s pool party, is now on stage. He’s the reason we’re here tonight and the reason I’m sweating like a pig in this damn tux.
“As you all know, my wife has been passed ten years now.”
Dozens of solemn, muffled voices express their agreement.
“But ten years is a long time to be without someone.” He stands taller, pushing his walking aid aside, and uses the microphone stand to hold himself up. “Tonight, I would like to announce my engagement. The woman I plan to marry, to spend the rest of my life with”—Jesus, he really thinks he has a “rest of his life”—“and to bear my children”—I choke on my Scotch—“and future heirs.”
Everyone’s eyes roam around the room just as curious as I am, but I remain transfixed on the man on stage, the one who now stares in my direction, or Thea’s direction.
“Theodora, if you’d like to join me, please?” he croaks out, like he’s taking his last breath, and I freeze. What the fuck?
Thea darts her gaze around the room, her face pales, and she trembles under the scrutiny, but she makes no attempt to get up. We’re stunned to the spot. What the hell is he wanting her for?
“Theodora, up!” Her mother is now behind her, pulling her chair out, and I spin in my chair to reprimand her. “You’ll do as you’re told, do you hear me? Do not make a scene!” she spits into Thea’s ear while somehow managing to keep a smile on her cunning face.
