Page 62 of A Madness of Crows

Several minutes pass before a noise echoes from the hall. Salvatore rises to his feet, dragging me with him as the doors open.

“Good evening,cugina.”

My shoulders tense.

I don’t smile as Matteo rounds the table, reaching for my hand and pressing it to his lips. “You look radiant.”

My hand sits limp in his, as I stare toward the door.

Hazel eyes meet mine, flecked with green and gold. Golden stubble grazes his face, his dark gray suit perfectly tailored as he saunters in.

“Buonasera, ladies and gentlemen. Asante, lovely place you have here.”

Luciano Morelli smirks at me, his mouth tipping up into a cold smile I don’t recognise. “And suchlovelycompany, too.”

Luc.

Alive.

Here.Vibrant and healthy, although deep circles sit beneath his eyes.

But he’s here.

And behind him—

“Domenico.” I breathe his name, my hand clenching in Salvatore’s grip. My heart drops.

He looks terrible. Bruising litters his face, his neck. And he’s somehow, impossibly bigger, wider, the muscles straining against his shirt as he stares back at me.

Dom takes a step forward, but Luc slaps a hand against his chest. “Don’t be rude, Rossi. Greet our host.”

Beside me, Matteo laughs softly in the otherwise silent room.

The look Dom gives Luc would flay a lesser man. Slowly, his head nods in Salvatore’s direction. “Asante.”

But he doesn’t take his eyes off me.

Salvatore’s hand slides up my back and grips the back of my neck. Squeezes it enough to tell me that it’s a warning to behave. “Let’s sit, shall we?”

Slowly, I sink down into my seat and grip my hands together.

Matteo and Salvatore carry the discussion, Luc chiming in with sarcastic little comments as starters are placed in front of everyone else.

I don’t get one.

My cheeks flush red, the heat spreading down my neck and across my chest when Salvatore sits back. He pats his leg, as if I’m a dog he’s calling to heel.

Day 44 – Luciano

Matteo lifts his glass to me in a silent toast, his smirk mocking as he slides his gaze to Dom.

A test.

I’m well aware that this is a test. One I have to pass.

Even if it’s shredding me apart from the inside out.

My hands curl around the arms of my chair as Cat slides into that fucker’s lap. He wraps one arm around her waist, the other scooping up a scallop and holding it up to her mouth on a silver fork.