Page 115 of Vicious Behaviors

“Okay then. I’ll keep your brother busy for half an hour.”

“Thank you, Izzie,” she says, throwing her arms around me in a hug.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” I reply, genuinely happy to put a smile on her face.

Annamaria holds on to me, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Also, thank you for giving Marcello a chance. My brother deserves someone who sees how wonderful he truly is. I’m so thankful he found you.” Her words leave me tongue-tied, and when she eases out of our embrace, I find her eyes brimming with love and tenderness. “Marcello doesn’t think he is, but he is a good man—the best man I know. Make him happy, Izzie. Help him find his way. He’s been lost for long enough.”

With that, she turns her attention back to the woods and strides purposefully in its direction. I watch her disappear amongst the trees, still a bit shell-shocked at how someone so young can be so intuitive and perceptive.

“Izzie!” I hear my name being called out, snapping me out of my stupor. “Is that you?!” I spin around to find Marcello’s fiery-eyed sister, Stella, looking back at me. “Oh my God, it is you!” She laughs, strutting over. “Did Marcello bring you here as hisdate?”

I nod, torn between Stella’s bubbling excitement at having me here and Anna’s restless longing to be anywhere else.

“I fucking knew it! I knew my brother had the hots for you.” My cheeks burn at the way her emerald eyes sparkle with the knowledge of Marcello and me being together. “It also explains why he’s been less wound up lately. He’s finally getting some.”

“Stella!” I reprimand with an awkward shriek.

“Am I wrong?” She arches a defiant brow. When I don’t deny it, she laughs. “Yeah, didn’t think so. Good for you.” A smirk tugs at her lips. “Where’s my broody-ass brother, anyway?”

“He’s… um… trying to find Annamaria so we can wish her a happy birthday.”

Stella’s sparkle dims somewhat at the mention of her sister. “Anna is probably hiding somewhere. Crowds and loud parties aren’t her thing.”

“Then why throw one for her?”

“It’s what everyone expects. It would be all over the tabloids if our family didn’t go all out for her sweet sixteen.” Stella shrugs as if her words explained it all. “Don’t worry. She’ll show up. Even if only to blow out the candles on her cake.”

“I hope so,” I say, forcing myself not to glance over my shoulder, wondering if I made the wrong decision letting her wander off alone into the dark.

However, something tells me that Anna’s spent most of her life navigating on her own. A quick stroll across her parents’ property is nothing compared to the lonely challenges she’s already faced.

“Come,” Stella says excitedly, hooking her arm in mine and leading me back to the mansion. “I want to show you off. Everyone is going to lose their minds when they find out Marcello brought a date. Especially our mother. Hope you brought your A-game, babe. Marcello’s the apple of her eye.”

Great. No pressure. No pressure at all. It’s not like I’m about to meet the Red Queen and pray she likes me or anything.

No. It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m totally fine.

Damn it… who am I fooling?

Chapter 25

Marcello

After scouring most of the mansion for my sister, I finally call it quits and head back to the party. I don’t like leaving Izzie on her own for too long. Not because I’m worried someone might peg her as an FBI agent, but because this is the first time I’ve ever walked into one of my parents’ parties with a woman on my arm. That alone is enough to get some tongues wagging.

When Annamaria’s good and ready, she’ll step out of whatever corner she’s hiding in and make her grand entrance. Right now, my sole focus should be on Izzie since she’s the real fish out of water here.

As I descend the winding staircase, my gaze sweeps over the crowd in search of her, only to spot Stella steering her straight toward my mother.

Shit. Goddamn it, Stella.

I quicken my pace, relief flooding me when Jude and Mina intercept, stopping Stella in her tracks before she’s able to do much damage. I’ve never been so glad to see my brother and his wife at one of these soirées. Then again, Jude would never missAnnamaria’s birthday. He skipped enough of them when she was growing up.

They don’t notice me until I place a hand on Izzie’s back, alerting them of my presence. Only then do their eyes flick my way.

“Well, if it isn’t the devil himself,” Jude greets with a grin. “We were just talking about you.”

“Oh?” I reply, though my attention stays locked on Izzie, ensuring she’s okay.