Page 131 of Devil's Vows

I would have loved to have her here, even if just to have another female presence to confide in once I’ve faced my nemesis.

“Ariana?” I ask Dominic.

“At the vet with Bruno for an eye-op we scheduled andcouldn’t cancel last minute.”

Dang it. Ariana is always calm in a crisis, and I’m heading for a crisis, even if only an interior one.

“My sister?” Ivan asks, glancing around.

“Luca said they’ll come later, once we’ve dealt with business.”

“I see.” He reaches for my hand to curl his fingers stiffly around mine. “Probably better that way.”

Matteo indicates for us to continue to the big open space, leading us beyond the foyer. Ivan makes sure his body is between mine and whatever awaits us in the lounge.

It reminds me of that day at the convent in Potenza, when I watched Dominic and Ariana arrive. Dominic shielded Ariana in the same way, and my heart swells. My husband is not only possessive, but protective, too.

When we walk into the intimidating space, I watch him take it all in, scanning the vast interior of the open-concept lower floor. He isn’t impressed by the grandeur, but a relieved squeeze to my hand tells me everything. Security check: cleared.

“I have this for Benedict,” he says. “It’s Gabriella’s Bible.”

“Benedict is in my office on a call.” Matteo takes the envelope. “He’ll be with us once he’s done, but I’ll go lock this up so long for safekeeping.”

“Please look after it, Matteo,” I say. “I don’t know what you hope to find in there, but?—”

“Of course,cara. It’sourmom’s.”

I watch as he takes the stairs with one of my few prized possessions and then I slump down onto a sofa. This tension is going to kill me. Just me, my husband, Yuri, and my three brothers, waiting to see if they can squeeze information out of this Mara woman who might know everything, or nothing.

“They’re on their way from the airport,” Dominic says, reading my mind. “They landed an hour ago so they should be here soon. Do you want something to drink or eat?”

“I’m good,” I say, resting my hand on my stomach. I’ve not been able to eat a thing; too tense. I keep telling myself by this time tomorrow morning, it will all be over. Even two hours from now— “Just some water, please.”

Ivan walks to the window and looks at the view. “Quite the place Matteo has,” he says as he keeps Dominic in his periphery where he has ambled off to the kitchen.

“Yeah, Tasha isn’t keen to stay here, though.”

“No?”

“He’s looking at renovating one of the other apartments in the building,” Dominic continues.

“Which you own?”

“Which we own.”

Gosh. I didn’t know that. “Like the whole building?”

“Yes,” Dominic says as he hands me a glass of water. “We own the whole building. We can give you a tour? Later?”

“Sure,” Ivan says, but everything in his tone and stance says we’re not going anywhere. He comes to stand behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll know soon.”

Matteo comes out of the master bedroom upstairs, holding his phone up. “They’re here. Going through security checks.”

“Good.” Dominic shoves his fists into his pant pockets and rolls on the balls of his feet.

That’s it. I just can’t. I shoot out of my seat. “God knows you all make me so nervous! I need space.”

“What do you need,moya ptichka?” Ivan is right there, a hand on my arm.