Page 57 of Vicious Behaviors (The Next Vicious Generation #3)

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 miss Annamaria’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.

She lifts her golden-brown eyes to mine and offers a small, tender smile, trying to mask the nerves trembling beneath her calm exterior.

Ever since I met Izzie, she has struck me as an unshakable force.

Nothing and no one seems to rattle or intimidate her.

And that’s saying something, considering most people can’t stand in my presence without flinching.

However, she’s been off balance since we stepped through the mansion doors.

Jittery even. And I know it’s because she wants to make a good impression on my family tonight.

Maybe it’s foolish of me to believe that, since she could just as easily be off her game because most people here are on the FBI’s watchlist. Still, my heart prefers to believe that her anxiety is due to wanting my family to like her as much as I do.

Not that anyone could ever feel for Izzie what I feel for her, no matter how charming she is tonight.

“And what exactly were you talking about?” I ask, shifting my attention to my rebellious sister.

“What do you think?” Stella winks, shameless as ever. “I was introducing your girlfriend to our brother.”

“I hope he’s the only one you introduced her to,” I say, my eyes sliding toward our parents at the front of the room, the warning in my tone impossible to miss.

Stella’s smirk only widens. Leave it to her to use my relationship just to get a rise out of our mother.

Only when I notice the crimson flush creeping up Izzie’s cheeks, and hear Jude and Mina’s soft chuckles, do I realize what I’ve just done.

“See? Told you she was his girlfriend,” Stella crows triumphantly. “And you didn’t believe me.”

That’s when it hits me that my brother and sister must have already talked about my love life before tonight.

Fuck. I’ve barely just formalized things with Izzie, yet Stella is already eager to tell the whole world that I’m in love. How the fuck did she know? Had I been that transparent?

“Don’t be cross with your sister,” Mina says gently, reading the storm in my eyes. “She is just excited that you’ve finally met someone.”

“We both are,” Jude adds, warmth swimming in his hazel eyes. “Come here, little brother,” he says before pulling me into a firm embrace. “I’m really happy for you, Marcello. You deserve some joy in your life.”

For a moment, I hold onto him, my tense muscles loosening against the familiarity of his arms. The boy I used to be—the ten-year-old who lived for his brother’s pride—would’ve soaked this up. Jude was the only one I ever wanted to make proud besides our father.

But that all changed when…

No. Not tonight.

If I even think about the monster inside me, I might risk summoning the bastard to the surface. I can’t allow that to happen. Not tonight.

I shove the thought away, pulling back from the hug, my body stiffening again like a snapped cord. I catch the flicker of hurt swimming in my brother’s eyes, and I can see they all sense the erratic change in my demeanor, too.

“If you’ll excuse us, I promised Izzie I’d grab us a drink.” My voice comes out clipped. Final.

I don’t wait for their response before sliding Izzie’s arm through mine and steering her across the room.

Once we’re far enough, Izzie stops me short, forcing me to face her, and probes, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“That didn’t look like nothing to me,” she counters, searching my face.

“You told me once how much you adored and looked up to Jude. That he was the man you wanted to become when you were little. That you wished he lived closer to your family rather than abroad. And yet you acted like he was some stranger you met once on the street just now.”

“I’ll apologize.”

“That’s not what I mean.” Her voice softens, almost pleading. “I just want to understand what’s wrong. Just explain to me why you went so cold all of a sudden.”

That’s easier said than done. How do I explain that I sometimes resent my brother, despite loving him so much?

Because of a promise I made to him as a boy, I ended up unleashing the devil inside me just to keep it.

How can I possibly put into words that for Jude to keep his life and hold onto his happiness in London, our father forced the crown onto me, chaining me to a life where happiness doesn’t exist?

How do I confess that sometimes it hurts just to look at him, even though I’d walk through fire for him?

That my need to make him proud is what cost me my soul, along with any hope of a future untainted by blood?

“I promise I’ll apologize to him,” I repeat, this time with genuine sincerity.

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” She frowns, her gaze flicking over my shoulder, probably toward Jude and Mina still lingering nearby. “Does this have anything to do with—” I silence her with a fingertip against her lips before she can finish.

“Let’s just have a nice night,” I murmur, “without bringing up unpleasant memories.”

Izzie’s eyes search mine, stubborn as ever. I know my promise to apologize to my brother just won’t cut it for her, so I lean down and press a gentle kiss to her mouth, her resolve softening under my touch.

Unfortunately, it also stills a handful of conversations. A ripple of silence spreads around us as people stop just to stare.

“Problem?” I ask flatly, meeting the gaze of a couple bold enough to gawk at us. They blanch at the sternness in my voice and hardened features and quickly scurry off, unwilling to test my temper.

“You’d think these people had never seen a kiss before,” Izzie whispers, her cheeks still flushed from the chaste kiss.

“I don’t care about them. Just you.”

Izzie’s honey-brown gaze melts into liquid gold at my words, and staring back is all I can do to prevent dragging her upstairs right now.

My cock stirs, eager to claim the heat simmering in her eyes, but I promised her I’d be the dutiful boyfriend tonight, so the thought of making her scream my name will have to wait.

At least until after I’ve properly introduced her to my parents, that is.

“Are you ready to meet my parents?” I ask, needing to get this show on the road for more selfish reasons.

“If I said no, would you hold it against me?” she teases with a shy smile.

“They’ll love you,” I coo, brushing my knuckles along her cheek. “How could they not?”

“I hope so,” she mutters, chewing her bottom lip, and halting the nervous tic when she catches herself doing it. “Okay. I’m ready. Let’s do this.” She says it as if she were strapping on armor, readying herself for battle.

I lace my fingers through hers and guide her toward the front of the room, where my parents are locked in small talk with the governor and his wife. We’re still a few feet away when my mother notices us, her eyes immediately dropping to our joined hands.

“Apologies, Governor. Do excuse us,” she says smoothly. “I see my son and his date have arrived.” My father follows her lead, dismissing the couple as they step aside to wait for us.

“Hi, Mom. Father.” I greet them with a genuine smile for my mother and the usual curt nod for my father. “I’d like you to meet—”

“Isobel Graham,” my mother cuts in, radiant. “How lovely to finally put a name to the face.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Romano. Mr. Romano.” Izzie’s tone is polite, though her sharp eyes flick to my father. “I’ve heard quite a lot about you.”

I nearly snort. Yeah, I’ll bet she has. I bet the Bureau has a whole cabinet dedicated to my father’s sins. Then again, they probably have one for me, too.

“Unlike my wife,” my father says coolly, “it seems I’m at a disadvantage, Miss Graham. I wasn’t even aware my son was dating anyone.” His gaze slices through me, cold and assessing. Still, I hold steady, keeping my facial features completely expressionless, just as he taught me.

“Izzie, please,” she corrects softly, squeezing my arm as if to anchor herself.

“Well, I, for one, am thrilled, Izzie.” My mother savors her name, her smile brightening like a goddamn Christmas tree.

“Both my girls have been singing your praises for weeks now. And from what Carmine DeLuca’s told me, you’ve charmed everyone at his gym as well.

How fortunate you also managed to catch my son’s eye. ”

Part of me wishes she’d keep her cool instead of going into full mom mode in front of everyone. The other part is relieved she’s so obviously delighted to meet Izzie.