Page 31 of Brutal Heir

Why did I come again?

Serena spots me and hurries over in sky-high heels like she’s floating. “There you are!” The white silk dress hugs her every curve, and she’s practically glowing with Antonio by her side. Ignoring my twin, she dips and presses a kiss to my cheek before wiping off the red lipstick with her thumb. “I thought you weren’t going to show.”

“I considered it,” I grumble.

“As did I,” says Antonio with a smirk.

“Oh, shut up, Toni. If I have to be here putting on this charade, then so do you.”

“I’m kidding obviously,amore. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than by your side.” He brushes his lips against her forehead, and the move is so nauseatingly sweet it makes me squirm in my wheelchair. Which reminds me I need to get the hell out of it.

Flipping the hand brakes on, I attempt to force myself up and Serena rushes to my side. The pain flares up my spine as I lock my legs and push to my feet. A few heads turn. The pity turns to surprise. Maybe even admiration. But I don’t want that either.

“Let me help you,” Serena whispers.

“I’ve got it, Sere,” I grit out.

Alessia waves a dismissive hand. “Just let him do it by himself. He’ll only bite your head off if you try to help.”

At least my sister is learning.

Bella appears a second later with Raffaele, her bodyguard and boyfriend, trailing beside her. At least Rory is nowhere near as bad as Raf. He doesn’t leave my cousin’s side for a second.

“You made it, Ale!” Isabella pulls me into a hug just as I manage to straighten. I feel the tug of the compression garments beneath my clothes, but it’s nowhere as bad as it used to be when I was putting them on. Rory does seem to have a special touch.

In more ways than one.

“I did,” I whisper into her ear. “But I’m not sure how long I’ll stay.”

“Oh, come on.” Her lips screw into a pout. “We miss you, Ale.” She glances around Alessia toward the door. “Where’s Rory?”

Running my hand across the back of my nape, I release a noncommittal grunt. “Prior engagement.”

“Oh, man, I was so looking forward to chatting with her,” Serena interjects.

“About that, you two need to stop interfering in my life. That pesky little leprechaun is going to be the death of me.”

Serena narrows her eyes in my direction. “Then why do you look so much better than when we saw you last week?”

“Coincidence,” I mutter.

The melodic tune of Sinatra’sStrangers in the Nightfills the foyer and Serena nearly swoons. “Toni, this is my favorite!” She grabs her fiancé’s hand and totes him toward the dancefloor in the center of the sprawling penthouse. “We have to dance.”

“Of course,amore, whatever you want.” With an indulgent smile, he allows the bride-to-be to haul him away.

The spotlight follows them with her laughing, him whispering something into her ear. Everyone watches, and no one speaks for a long minute.

Then Bella turns to me as Raf’s fingers entwine with hers. “Come dance with us.”

“Nope, your little Irish tiny tyrant hasn’t worked that sort of magic on me yet. I think I’m still a few months away from breaking it down on the dancefloor.”

“I’ll stay with him.” Alessia’s bored expression remains unfazed. “No one here is interesting enough to dance with anyway.”

“Okay, but after this song, we’re catching up.”

“Sure, Bella.” I give her my best smile, the one I reserve only for the baby of our cousin crew.

As soon as my cousins disappear into the crowd, I lean against the wall and heave in a breath. I watch them for a long minute, both girls, giddy and in love. I should be happy for them.