Page 20 of Stolen Bride
Being bold, I state, “Tell your brother to keep his promise.”
She smiles and lays her hand on mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “No one tells Damiano what to do, but you should trust me when I say he keeps his word, so if he told you he would do something, he will.” God, I hope so.
My door slams open, and Camille pops in with a menacing flash my way before smiling at her friend. “Gracie, what are you doing in here?”
She turns up a pretty grin at Camille that I’ve just registered as fake compared to the genuine one she gave me moments ago. “I’m checking on the bride-to-be, of course. You were all busy and everything.”
“Sorry, girl. I didn’t mean to leave you all alone.” Wow, does she have to act like I’m not even standing right here? It’s getting a bit ridiculous. “Well, let’s go and hang out today.”
“Actually, I have to go home now. My parents are getting back tomorrow, which means I need to be on my best behavior and catch up on my reading. They can be a real pain about my lack of mental enrichment, but that’s why I came back for another quick visit. Maybe you could stop by next week after they settle in.”
“Totally. I’m so glad my daddy doesn’t get on me about reading. I’ll walk you out.” I ignore the both of them because Camille will get suspicious if Gracie gives me any more attention. I wonder if she knows about what happened between Damiano and myself that night at the club.
The second Gracie’s gone, I’m absolutely right. Camille slams open my bedroom door. “Are you trying to steal my friend?”
“What? No,” I gasp. “Are you nuts? I’m getting married, or have you forgotten.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten.” She shuts my door, smiling the entire time. The wicked grin on her face reminds me that she’s a total cunt and there’s no redeeming qualities left in my stepsister. When we were younger, she wasn’t totally evil, but now there’s absolutely nothing remaining. I’ve always hoped that she would turn around and be my friend, and last night gave me a glimpse of hope that she might have had an ounce of empathy or compassion.
I drop on my hard, lumpy mattress and flattened pillow, wanting to suffocate myself, but I remain strong and hope that I can keep it together enough to give Damiano a chance to hold up his promise, although I’ll deal with my problems if he doesn’t show tomorrow.
One way or another, I won’t be a victim to my stepfather and his friends ever again.
Chapter Eleven
Damiano
My sister bursts through my office door as if there’s no security in my damn club. Luckily the club doesn’t open for three more hours because I’d have to bust some heads. “Gracie, to what do I owe this unexpected surprise?” I ask, snarling at Gabriele, who holds the door open for her while standing back and refusing to look at me.Pussy.
She pops into the seat in front of my desk and interlaces her fingers, her usual bubbly demeanor a bit shaken and a cloud of darkness around her. “We need to talk.”
“That sounds ominous, Hummingbird. Is this about a man?” A growl comes from the door. “You can close it, Gabe,” I say, getting a scowl from him before he shuts the door behind him, leaving my sister and me alone. I do love the torture I’m putting him, through.
She bites her lip and sighs. “No, it’s about Stella.”
“What about Stella?” My temper rises. I haven’t forgotten about her upcoming marriage; I was trying to find out who she is marrying, but the damn explosion from last night got in the way. The damn inspector is already on my ass with calls. I met with him, only for him to drill me with inane questions that could have been asked over the phone. He had nothing new to provide and only wanted to waste my time.
She stands up, and then sits back down. “I’m afraid that she’ll kill herself if she marries Tommy Baker.”
“What the fuck do you mean Tommy Baker?” I bellow. My sister jumps back like I was going to harm her, falling backwardout of her chair. Her eyes are wide as I rush around and help her up off the floor. “I’m so sorry, Gracie. You know I’d never hurt you, Hummingbird.”
“It’s just…I’ve never seen that look in your eyes before. Well, at least directed at me.”
“I’m sorry. It’s not directed at you,” I snarl, clenching my teeth.
“The proverbial ‘don’t kill the messenger’?” she eeks out, rubbing her elbow.
I cup her chin. “Never, dearest. Run along. I promise she won’t be marrying that slime. In fact, if everything goes well, you will be getting a sister, but you must keep it to yourself.”
That softens the brutal fear I put in her for the first time. “Of course. I’m a Valentino. Everything is a secret, Brother. I love you.”
I kiss the top of her head and then add, “Love you, too, Hummingbird. Now, have Gabriele escort you out, and then tell him to see me immediately.”
She walks to the door and says, “Oh, by the way—I let her sleep in your bed.”
“You did?”
She nods with a smile and flits away, a lightness in her step that had been missing when she entered my office. Was she truly scared to tell me, or scared for Stella?