Page 158 of Sins of the Orchid

An expression passed his face but then he smiled. “I know.” I noted he didn’t say he only loved me as a friend and something in my stomach knotted. “I want you to be happy.”

It made me feel rotten to the core. Adriano was a much better person than I was.

The song ended and I sighed with relief. Too soon because Adriano kept dancing, keeping me close.

“Everything will change soon,” he whispered. “Just let me enjoy a dance with you.”

Our eyes met and I watched him in confusion. He was full of cryptic messages, and I didn’t follow any of their meaning.

A slower song played, and a few other couples stepped onto the floor as Adriano and I slow-danced to the soft tunes of “Let Me Down Slowly.” My thoughts traveled to two months ago. Santi didn’t let me down slowly for sure. He just dropped me. Was I doing the same thing to Adriano? I guess there was no way to let someone down slowly if one person in the relationship was still in love.

My eyes flicked across the floor to Santi like a magnet. He was talking to Gabriel Carrera. Every time I saw him, the pain in my chest swelled, and it felt like someone stabbed a knife straight into my heart.

“Where are your thoughts?” Adriano asked, his mouth close to my ear.

With Santi. Always with him. I forced myself to look away, focusing on Adriano.

None of the fluttering feelings similar to when his brother whispered in my ear appeared. Was this how Mom felt being married to George after loving Dad? I didn’t want the same fate. I wanted love, passion, everything.I want it all.

“Not sure,” I answered.

“Remember the first time we snuck into Santi’s strip club?”

Another sharp pain pierced through my chest, but I ignored it. I was growing accustomed to it. Raising my eyes and hiding my pain behind the smile, I nodded. It seemed so long ago.

Adriano bent his head and pressed his lips against mine. “It’s okay to love him too.” I gasped against his lips and stared at him wide eyed. “After all, he’ll be your brother-in-law.”

CHAPTER58

Santino

Iwatched my younger brother kiss the woman that belonged to me, and I had to fight the urge not to pull out my gun and shoot him. What kind of bastard did that make me? Every cell demanded I take Amore and make her mine. Kill everyone, burn this motherfucking city to the ground. Nobody knew how soft her lips felt against mine, how she melted under my touch. That right was mine and mine alone.

Yet here I was, standing frozen while my blood boiled as I watched my brother make out with my woman. My fucking woman! No ring on her finger, no words, would take that away. She was mine!

The moment Amore entered the club the clock stopped. I sensed her before I saw her, like every heartbeat of hers connected with mine.

“Remember the plan,” Gabriel groaned next to me. “It has to look convincing so her father is not suspicious.”

“Fuck. Her. Father.” I gritted out. Before I kicked my plan into motion, I’d talked to Savio one more time. It was his last chance.

Her father refused to amend the contract. Fucking again! All because she wasn't meant to be in the underworld. But that wasn’t the only reason, and I knew it. He didn’t want my blood-soiled, filthy hands on his daughter. Too fucking late! I’d touched her. I’d felt her soft flesh under my rough hands. Heard her moans. Felt her pussy clench. She was meant for me. Only for me.

Amore’s brother joined Gabriel and me.

“You grip that glass any tighter, and you’ll shatter it,” Lorenzo muttered under his breath. I narrowed my eyes at him, daring him to say anything else. I wouldn’t mind shooting someone tonight and maybe beat a few people too. It would be one way to relieve the tension. My anger burned hot, and not in a good way.

“Fuck, Santi! Get yourself together,” Lorenzo growled. “No way in fucking hell I’ll let you handle my sister in this state.”

I downed the drink in one gulp, placed it on the tray and walked away without acknowledging him.

Lorenzo had offered to help me get Amore. He approached me yesterday. He said he was only doing it for his sister. Of course, I didn’t reveal all my cards to him. I kept them close to ensure nothing went wrong.

CHAPTER59

Amore

Istared at my best friend dumbfounded, trying to understand what exactly he meant by that comment.