Page 136 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
Dem rushes to her side. “Let me help you.”
Across the table, Ras shoots me a grin, but Giorgio is frozen. Jaw clenched, he incinerates me with a glare so hot and furious it could rival hellfire.
As it burns all over my skin, I begin to doubt exactly what he knew about the proposed arrangement. Did he think I’d refuse? On his account?
I purse my lips and narrow my eyes.Screw you.
The thought travels. Something dangerous flashes across his expression, sending dread into the pit of my belly. While the cook comes out of the kitchen with a rag to help Vale mop up the wine, we stare each other down.
I want to scream at him.Say something if you care so much.But I don’t, and then everyone is sitting back down.
“Last time I saw Matteo, he took me to his nona’s bakery,” Ras says. “The guy’s a bit stiff, but that old lady was a riot. They’re not a bad family to join, Mari.”
“Thanks, Ras.”
Vale reaches over and clasps my wrist. “Congratulations,” she says, but her voice is laced with uncertainty. “When do you get to meet the groom?”
“I’m not sure.” I look to Dem for help.
“I’ll share the good news with Matteo’s father during our next meeting in two days,” he says, picking up his cutlery. “We’ll arrange for you two to meet shortly after.”
Now that Vale and Ras have congratulated me, the table’s attention moves to Giorgio. He smooths his palm over his tie. Adjusts his cuff links. Finally, he says, “I would vet that boy carefully before you agree to their offer.” His voice is as dry as bone.
“Ras already did,” Dem says. “I’m confident he’ll make a good match for Martina.”
“I have access to sources you two don’t. It would be a mistake to go through with this before I can talk to them.”
Tension wraps around the table.
“Are you implying I did a sloppy job vetting the guy who wants to marry my sister?” Dem says sharply.
Giorgio shrugs, once again appearing fully composed. “Don’t you want to cover all of your bases when it comes to her? Even if it’s redundant, it can’t hurt.”
His conciliatory tone makes Dem back down. My brother shifts in his seat, his lips pursed, but then he gives Giorgio a nod. “Tell me what you manage to find.”
Ras slaps Giorgio on the back. “You’ve gotten protective over Mari, huh? Your job’s done, Napoletano. She’s safe with us, and soon it’ll be her husband’s men watching her twenty-four seven.”
Giorgio stiffens, and I halt mid-chew. Is Ras trying to get a rise out of him? My brother’s right-hand man at times has a penchant for mischief, but I wish he’d drop it. I just want this conversation to end.
“Assuming Napoletano won’t find anything damning on Matteo, securing this alliance should clear our path to Sal,” Dem says.
Ras nods. “That asset seizure was an inspired move, Napoletano. Moretti and De Rosa are hours away from turning, I can feel it. With them, we have an in with every layer of Sal’s protective detail except for his most inner circle.”
“Calisto runs those men,” Giorgio says. “And he’s loyal to the bone.”
“We might just have to brute force the last part,” Damiano concludes.
Vale sends him an alarmed look. “I hope you’re not planning on taking on an army by yourself.”
“It’ll be a dozen men at most,” Dem says.
“Yeah, don’t worry, Vale,” Ras says. “When they see who’s turned to our side, the smart ones will lay their weapons down. There will be less bloodshed than the time you sent me to ambush your psychotic sister.”
Vale rolls her eyes. “You know, you bring up Gemma so often that if I didn’t know you any better, I’d think you had a crush on her.”
Ras laughs. “A crush? No, just a mild fascination at how someone can look so normal, yet be completely feral.” He takes a slug of his wine. “How is she, by the way?”
“Still engaged,” Vale says pointedly. “I guess we have a lot of weddings to look forward to after all of this is finished.”
