Page 82 of Ruthless King

“Mmm, it is,” I mutter. I eye him as he makes his way toward us. The bruises have all but disappeared which leads me to believe my brother is wearing a shit-ton of makeup. Tony had said he looked like hell when he saw him the other day. I’m having my right-hand man keep an eye on the idiot.

Rose elbows Stella in the side and whispers a few decibels too loudly. “Hook me up, girl. He’s almost as gorgeous as Luca.”

She shakes her head, gritting her teeth. “Too bad he’s a complete asshole. Stay away from him, Rose. Promise me.”

“Okay, okay.”

I tighten my hold on Stella as a shudder races up her spine.

“What do you want Dante?” I bark before he gets too close.

“I don’t even get a hello?” Caroline purrs.

“Hello, Caroline. A pleasure to see you, as always.” I reward her with a tight smile, but my insides are churning.

Her eyes narrow on Stella, then run down to my arm around her shoulders. “So it’s true then? You two are really together?” Malice drips from her tone.

“Yes, Caroline. Stella is my girlfriend.” Despite the thickness in the air, a hint of a smile curls my lips. I like the sound of it. “We’re living together actually.”

Stella gazes up at me, her eyes widening.I’m all in, baby.

“Living together?” Rose blurts.

“Apparently.” She gives her friend a guarded smile.

Dante’s jaw twitches, the tendon fluttering across his freshly shaven jawline. “Congratulations, that’s quite a big step,fratellino.”

“It is. We’re very happy.”

Rose stretches her arm out, jutting it between my brother and me. “I’m Rose, by the way, Stella’s best friend.”

Dante offers her a charming smile, the kind reserved for schmoozing. “A pleasure to meet you.”

“O.M.G., you two have the sexiest accents!”

Caroline throws the girl a snarl, and another grin pulls at my lips. I can see how she and Stella could be friends. Rose is light-hearted, boisterous and sweet, everything my Stella needs.

Dante chuckles like he finds her absolutely enthralling.Stronzo. They chat for a few moments, the girl completely oblivious to the tension in the air. Finally, Dante turns to Stella, and his expression darkens. “I was hoping to speak—”

I jump in front of Stella, throwing my shoulders back to cut her off from his view. “No,” I hiss.

“I only want to apologize—”

“I don’t care. I said all I had to say on the matter last week at the penthouse.”

“Please, Luca.”

“No.” I throw my hand up and plant it on my brother’s chest. “Vattene, se no ti ammazzo.” I wasn’t lying either. Fuck appearances, fuck the gala, I’d strangle him with my bare hands if he didn’t get out of my face.

Tony appears at my side and places his hand on my shoulder. The man’s like a wraith. With a gentle squeeze, he whispers, “Not here, not now,capo.”

From the corner of my eye, I catch the circle of encroaching paparazzi. Clearing my throat, I drop my hand from Dante’s chest. “We’ll discuss this at another time.”

“Fine,” he grits out. “But I will have you hear me out. We’re family, Luca, blood. This can’t be it for us.”

“We’ll see.”Not in your fucking lifetime.

With a polite smile at Rose, he places his hand on the small of Caroline’s back and ushers her through the crowded dancefloor. The moment he’s gone, Stella sags against me.