Page 67 of Claimed At First Sight

With a sigh, I grab a champagne flute filled with what appears to be orange juice from the server’s tray. I’m not surrendering to this stupid power play. I’m just thirsty.

While taking a sip, my gaze drifts across the ballroom. Perhaps I’ll have better luck with another server later.

I turn back to Gabe, who’s also taken a glass of juice.

“So what is your role in all of this?”

Gabe glances briefly toward Aldo, who’s moved further into the room with Mamma and my sisters, before looking back at me.

“I work alongside Aldo. I’ll take over from him when he retires.”

“So you’re a consigliere in training?”

“You could say that.” He slips one hand into his pocket. “Though Aldo and I focus on different areas. He handles a lot of the traditional relationships and internal structure. I focus more on the next generation.”

“The next generation?”

“Yes, the sons and daughters of our allies… our enemies too, actually. The people waiting in the wings,” he explains. “Relationships are easier to build before people fully step into power.”

I tilt my head. “That makes sense. Build alliances long before you need them.”

Gabe nods. “We try to approach things a little more intelligently than previous generations.”

I’m surprised how easy it is to talk to him. I expected all the Marco men to be more like Maximo.

“Are there more of your brothers lurking around?” I ask.

Smiling, Gabe looks across the ballroom before his gaze settles somewhere behind me.

“The human brick wall over there is Rafa.”

I follow his line of sight and spot the man in question near one of the entrances.

He’s huge, broad-shouldered, and completely stone-faced as he watches the room. Nobody seems eager to give him a reason to intervene.

“Oh,” I murmur. “Charming.”

“He’s actually very nice once you get past the whole looking-like-he-could-kill-someone-with-his-bare-hands thing.”

I remain unconvinced.

“And where does he fall in the sibling hierarchy?”

“He’s the second oldest.”

I frown. “So he’s Maximo’s second?”

Gabe’s mouth twitches.

“Yes and no. Rafa and I share that position. Rafa is our main enforcer and oversees security.”

That explains literally everything about him.

“And there’s another brother, isn’t there?”

He takes a sip of his drink, watching me over the rim of the glass.

“I’m pleased to see you taking such an interest in our family,” he teases.