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“They should join, too. I’ve been wanting to chat to Adriano more,” Leo says.

“I know he’s keen to talk to you, too.” I chuckle as they all get up to leave.

“Don’t miss me too much,” Theá says, placing her hand on my upper thigh and kissing my cheek.

“You’re making it very difficult,” I grumble out.

I have been sporting a semi the entire day just watching her be her unapologetic self, but tonight, she looks hot. And to put it bluntly—I’m horny. I’ve been holding back since our little chat, but I would give anything to be sinking into her tight, warm—”

“I will get you back for this,” Natalia whispers into my ear, and I have to stifle my laughter as I watch Adriano and Leo walk out ahead of the girls.

The chair next to mine is pulled out and filled with Mattia.

“So I hear you had another run-in with Enzo.” He raises a brow. “You weren’t going to tell me?”

I stuff my hands into my trouser pockets. “No, of course I was. I just needed to process—”

“No, no. Hands on the table. Then try again,” Mattia says.

I sigh and roll my eyes, but do as he says. I’ve had the annoying tell all my life, and everyone seems to have picked up on it, so I can no longer disguise it around my family.

“I really was going to tell you, I just didn’t know how to bring it up.” I sigh, swirling the ice in my tumbler.

“He’s really wrapped up in this, isn’t he?” Mattia asks, and I glance over to see him staring blankly ahead.

I place my hand on his shoulder. “Unfortunately,fra, but you know I’ve got your back even if he doesn’t. I always will.”

“I know, it just sucks to watch it happen right in front of our eyes.” He sighs, slumping back in the chair like a small child.

“After last year, I’m not sure why we’re surprised,” Ambrose’s voice says from my other side, and I sigh.

My dear older brother has never been amazing at consoling anyone, and is instead more of arip-the-Band-Aid-off kindof guy.

Mattia barely flinches at what is said, but I’m the one who glares at him. A silent plea for him to choose his words more carefully.

“He may have thrown his family to the wind, but you know you’re a brother to us,” Ambrose recovers, and both Mattia and stare at him in surprise.

“Wow, Ambrose, I never knew you felt that way.” Mattia leans forward, a small smile creeping onto his face.

“An annoying little brother, but a brother nonetheless.” Ambrose smirks, raising his glass before taking a sip.

“So how did the meeting go?” Mattia asks.

I drum my fingers against the tables. “It went fine, I am a bit concerned about the auction, though.”

“Why?” Ambrose asks.

“The artwork is far from the value they had me appraise—not to mention the horrendous quality of the copies. I just have a feeling they’re going to rip off the wrong person without my knowledge and my name is going to be all over it.” I sigh.

The thought has been lingering at the back of my head, to the point where I haven’t been able to sleep much the last few nights.

“I mean surely a few thousand Euros isn’t that big of a deal.” Mattia chuckles.

“Try a few million,” I say, and his laughter quickly turns into coughs.

“Excuse me?Millions?For paint?” He stares at me with wide eyes.

I don’t expect Mattia to grasp the concept or value of art, especially since his limited interest in art is Valerie’s work. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.