Page 15 of Bittersweet Endings (Agostino Crime Family #6)

OCTAVIA AGOSTINO

“ W hat’re you wearing?” Sienna asked.

Sighing, I tried to hide my agitation. “A dress.”

“But like, what kind?”

I paused with the phone to my ear as I stared at myself. The floor-length mirror showed my newly hardened muscles and sensual black lingerie. Hanging over the edge was a sexy black and gold dress. But the question burned.

“I dressed myself,” I said, unsure how else to tell her that those days of looking like Daddy’s little princess were done.

There was a knock at my door, and before I could tell Sienna to hold on, it opened. Rocco gave me an apologetic look, covering his eyes as the freight train that was my sister darted inside.

“Yes!” She pulled the dress off the mirror to examine it. “Oh, sissy. This is good. It’ll look perfect against mine.” She lifted her choice into the air, a tad less revealing but it was black and silver. “ Now the hair and makeup.” She snapped her fingers and three women with cases rolled in.

“What’re you doing?” I asked her.

Once upon a time, I would’ve screamed and cried at the thought of people seeing my scars. Now I was staring back at my sister while three strangers gawked at me in nothing but my lingerie. Sienna glanced at them and paled.

For once, I didn’t cover myself. I stood tall and let her take them in. They were proof I was stronger than everyone gave me credit for.

“I’m making you forget who you were. Helping you embrace who you are… now. In the best way I know how to bond.” She hugged me, and I gave her an honest squeeze in return. “Now, this event is highly publicized… so let’s make him regret letting you go.”

A whirlwind of curlers, makeup, and a whole show twirled around us. Our conversation was no longer forced or filled with uncomfortable angst. We were back to being sisters enjoying the hell out of us time. Even if it was being painted and poked to perfection.

Then, suddenly, my sister was dressed and running out the door to meet Apollo.

I eyed myself in the mirror. And the truth was, I loved what I saw.

My curls were bigger and wild but glossed and styled loose down my back.

My blue eyes were on fire and shielded by thick liner and a bright-red lip.

The dress hugged me perfectly at the hip and was low in the bust. A hint of taste but sexy as fuck.

Rocco said nothing when I stepped into the hall. He did give me a long once-over, then shook his head. A small smirk playing on his lips.

The ride over was nerve racking, and I had to swallow back my anxiety as we pulled up. Paparazzi were everywhere and droves of the rich and famous walked up to smile to them. The line of cars was long, and by the time it was our turn to exit, I wanted to curl up and die.

“Remember what I said.” Rocco turned in his seat to look at me. “Don’t drop your guard.”

I smiled at him before drawing in a deep breath.

“Good girl.” He got out and opened the door.

I held my head high as I ignored the flashing of cameras. I opted to skip the line for the photos in front of the large benefit board. However, that didn’t stop reporters from shouting at me as I headed inside.

Rocco remained at my side, not my back, like I’d asked. He was the solid presence I needed to keep breathing, to keep moving forward. The room was packed with money and designed perfectly. Once again, I was in awe of all that my mother could do.

“You look amazing.” She pulled me in for a hug. “Breathtaking, Octavia.”

She released me and my father stepped in. “I hate that dress,” he grumbled before pulling back with a twinkle in his eye. “I much preferred the old dresses, but I suppose they were never the real you. Were they?”

I shook my head.

“You’re stunning.” He let me go, stepping away to chase after my mother as she floated around the room to greet guests and order staff around. A damn force, that woman. And I couldn’t help but smile as I approached the bar.

The bartender leaned over the counter, giving me a wink. “What can I get ya?”

“Cabernet Sauvignon, please.”

He nodded, walking off to drop off a drink before quickly returning. “You look like you have good taste.” He lifted a bottle of Peter Michael, Cabernet Sauvignon, Au Paradis 2014.

Taking a sip, I smiled as the flavor burst along my tastebuds. “Thank you.”

“Wish that smile was for me. That is compliments of the gentleman over there.” The bartender leaned back, allowing me a sight I swore wouldn’t break me.

He was here. I didn’t know why I’d assumed he’d stay away. Sienna had told me she overheard Lucky arguing with him. His mother was attending the event and his father wasn’t welcome. Well, like father, like son. Because I had a feeling JP was here somewhere too.

All the people around him had their backs turned, but I knew to always keep my eyes on the biggest threat in the room.

He was leaning on his elbows against the bar, staring at me.

His expression as tense as the air between us.

I refused to drop my guard, even as my heart was pounding through my chest.

The bastard smirked and raised his glass before walking off. And I felt like I could suddenly breathe again.

I sat back in my seat, staring at the bar top as I tried to calm myself. People I’d met before—often in this circle—stopped by to greet me but moved along quickly. I’d just felt like I was getting myself under control when it all changed.

The hair on the back of my neck rose. I didn’t need to see him to know he was there. Something daunting sizzled against my shoulder whenever he was close by.

Carmine leaned against me, getting the bartender’s attention. I couldn’t hide the slight gasp at his touch, and his smile told me he’d noticed. The asshole was enjoying every piece of my discomfort—as usual.

I tried slipping off the stool but was pinned by someone at my back. I glanced over a shoulder, and Matteo’s dark gaze hit me fast before scanning across the room. I tried to excuse myself, but Carmine blocked me.

“Here you go,” he said, and then I saw her.

A bitch in a far-too-revealing dress stood between him and his brother. Her hair was a very brassy blonde, her makeup caked on and that dress… Christ, even I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

There were sheer pieces all around her body. One wrong move and she’d show the whole place her darkest secrets. She reminded me of this bitch Tatianna that I went to school with. Fake blonde and pretty much everything else fake too.

As she looked me up and down, I was ready for her claws to show. Especially since Carmine hadn’t taken his eyes off me. He leaned forward, noticing I was staring at his date.

“How are you, Matteo?” I asked instead, knowing my dismissal would piss him off.

“Nice to see you, Octavia.” He glanced in my direction but kept his focus on the crowd.

“You as well. Thankfully, under better circumstances than last time.”

He smirked, shaking his head as his brother got closer to me. “You look well. Glad to see you’re healed sufficiently.”

Carmine bristled at the lack of attention.

Too. Goddamn. Bad.

“If you’ll excuse me…” I smiled. “I need to be going.” I stepped away quickly while mumbling, “Anywhere but here.”

A hand gripped around my arm, and I twisted, giving him a kidney shot. Expecting it to be Carmine, I was shocked to see Lucky’s angry expression when I looked up. I laughed, refusing to apologize as he pulled me into a hallway with Rocco on our heels.

“He’s not on the list. Did you fucking invite him?” Lucky barked .

I shrugged him loose.

“I warned him. And I warned you .”

“But his mother is, isn’t she?”

Lucky paused.

“Once again, your faith in me is touching, dear brother. No. I didn’t invite him. Any of them.” I ducked under his arm, tossing over my shoulder, “I happen to like my new dress and would prefer not to get blood on it.”

Stepping to Sienna’s side, I sipped my wine while trying to avoid the dark-brown eyes staring at me from across the room. My jaw was tense as I fought the urge to react, but I could feel him. Everywhere.

“I don’t get how he let you go. But tonight, you sure as fuck made him regret it.” Sienna’s eyes were glued to Carmine. “And who the fuck is she? She reminds me of Tatianna.”

“Right! That’s what I was thinking.”

We fell into a fit of laughter, much like old times.

“May I have this dance?” Out of nowhere, a handsome older man walked up to us with his palm out.

Sienna shoved me towards him. “She’d love to.”

His hands were soft as he escorted me to the center of the dance floor. Other couples moved around us, but I barely noticed. All my senses were heightened. I could feel the son of a bitch seething, but I wouldn’t look.

The stranger and I fell into easy conversation as one song turned into another and then another. All before he ushered me towards a cocktail table and pulled out a seat for me. The conversation was light and friendly, but I could feel eyes on us all over the room.

Carmine. My family. His friends. Business associates. The whole goddamn room. And then I saw him.

JP stood in a darkened corner, his back to the wall as he watched me like a hawk. My mask dropped and the scared little girl stumbled forward. Only for a moment. But he saw it. A shark grin that matched his son was all I saw before he disappeared into the crowd.

My dance partner stood to leave. “Thank you for your company and your kindness,” I told him.

“Pleasure was all mine. He’s a lucky man.”

I smiled, appearing confused enough for him to clarify.

“Whoever was in your head is lucky.” And he walked off, just in time too, because I needed a moment to myself.

My sister winked as I passed. I ignored Apollo, stepping through an open door until I found myself in a hallway. I didn’t see signs for the restroom. And just as I was about to turn around, a hand went to my mouth and I was tugged down another hall and ushered into a private bathroom.

“Does my little doll’s daddy issues have anything to do with why you’re dancing and flirting with a man old enough to be your father?”