Page 174 of The Temptation

“Fuck,” he growls, clutching either side of his head. Igive him a moment to calm down, but I doubt that’s going to happen any time soon. He looks like he’s ready to rip someone’s spine out and use it to stir his drink.

I place Lil’ Peach on the ground. “Why don’t you go and find the other kids. Caterina, Luca, or Giovanni.”

She nods and runs off. As soon as she’s out of sight, I cross my arms, keeping my voice low but firm. “Dominic.”

He drags a hand down his face as his eyes burn with fury. “She said she fell. But she’s lying, I know she’s lying. I see marks on her all the time.”

“What are you going to do, stalk every guy who goes near her? Scare the truth out of her?”

He doesn’t answer. He just clenches his jaw hard enough that I’m surprised his teeth don’t shatter.

“Look, I get it,” I add, gentler now. “You obviously care about her, but you scaring the hell out of her isn’t going to make her talk.”

“She’s in trouble,” he mutters.

“I know. And you’re not wrong to be angry. But maybe try being the one place she doesn’t have to be scared.”

He exhales, slow and hard, and nods once.

“She works at Dante’s restaurant, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, we’ll talk to him later and see if there’s something we can do to help her.”

He arches an eyebrow. “We?”

“Yes, we. I’m involved now, and after somestronzoran over my rose bush this morning, I’m ready to take out anybastardothat so much as breathes wrong.”

The corner of his mouth twitches in an almost-smile, and I’ll take that as progress.

“Come get a drink,” I say, looping my arm through his. “And please let the woman do her job. We’ll figure out how to help her together.”

He doesn’t argue, which tells me just how much he actually cares.

“Thanks, Luc. You know if you weren’t already taken, I’d snap you up.”

I nudge my shoulder with his. “Don’t let my husband hear you say that, you’ll be no help to that poor girl from the grave.”

Chapter 42

Romeo

Ionce craved the serenity and solitude that my home could bring, but those days are long gone. A quiet house used to mean comfort. Now, it just feels empty.

These days, being on my own feels less like peace and more like an absence—like something’s missing—now that I’m surrounded by people I love, and who love me back.

Sitting in the kitchen with my little boy cradled in my arms, I listen to my wife, Dante, and Dominic try to figure out what’s going on with some chick named Emily.

The Christening is long finished. The catering staff have left, but my house is still full, with the people who mean the most to me staying behind.

Nobody was supposed to stay tonight, but apparently, we’re having a giant fucking sleepover now. Arabella and Caterina have already gone to bed, as well as Giovanni and Luca.

Chloe is currently lying on the sofa with her head in Alexander’s lap while he draws lazy circles against her scalp.Nonnahas Lil’ Peach cuddled into her chest as she sleeps soundly, while she chats with Angelina and Theo.

My grandfather is sound asleep in one of our manyspare rooms. Maybe passed out may be a better description. My grandmother told me he’s never been much of a drinker, but he certainly made up for it today.

He was so drunk that Dominic and I had to help him up to the house. It was comical and a little distressing, especially when we got him into the room and laid him on the bed.