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I quickly skip Emilio to Julian, who’s staring at me in hatred.

I lower my gaze, taking in his black suit jacket. A faint bruise is under one of his eyes, and when he scrubs his hands together, I notice his busted knuckles.

He screams violence.

Always has. Always will.

Allthese men do.

Why am I not running away?

I pinch my face, sourly glaring at him.

Yeah, asshole.I remember what you did last time I saw you.

He could’ve at least taken me tomyhome, not my parents’. My father spent the following morning’s breakfast lecturing me on choosing the company I kept wisely, claiming people could take photos of me and use them against our family.

Julian relaxes in the booth. “You do know who this is, Luca?”

Luca shifts his attention from a conversation with Benny to Julian and raises a brow. The expression on his face isn’t hostile, but it’s also not friendly.

Julian lifts his chin in my direction. “Vincent Lombardi’s goddaughter.”

Say what?

I open my mouth to say that’s a bald-faced lie, but Julian speaks over me.

“I’d find another woman in the crowd.” Julian’s steely gaze cuts back to me. “This one will bring nothing but trouble.”

All the men stare me down.

While I knowofVincent Lombardi, I’ve never held a conversation with the man. Nor do I want to.

I’m not sure whether I should tell them Julian is lying.

Will they be mad? See him as untrustworthy?

Freaking kill him?

Julian must not know Luca and I have a history. Luca knows exactly who I am, and my connection with the Lombardis. The man gave me a damn questionnaire on our first date to decide whether I was trustworthy or not. That should’ve been a huge red flag then.

Benny stands when his phone rings, collecting it from his pocket and pointing it at Luca. “Stay away from her.” He motions for his men to get up, and they do. “Let’s go. Julian and Emilio, have a drink on me.”

Luca shakes his head at Julian, fully knowing he’s lying, and lowers his head to my ear. “It seems you’ve pissed that guy off. You still have my number. Use it.” He leaves with Benny without waiting for my response.

“You’re such an asshole.” I scowl at Julian, fed up with his bullshit, and flip him off. “I’m leaving.”

“Stay,” he demands, tapping the space beside him. “We need to talk.”

“You’re right. We do.” I charge toward him, standing in front of the table. “What you did the night of the funeral was fucking rude.”

I catch a hint of Emilio smirking as he drags his phone from his pocket and pretends to pay attention to the screen.

Julian works his strong jaw. “What are you doing here, Genesis?”

“What areyoudoing here?” I chug the rest of my mojito. “I thought enemies couldn’t pass enemy lines without violence.”

Emilio shakes his head at my comment.