The next thing I know, I’m being almost bowled over when I’m hit square in the chest by a young woman with blonde hair, but it’s about all I can see of her. Her arms are wrapped around me so tight I can barely move or breathe. If Constantino hadn’t changed his grip on me to hold me up, I would be sprawled out on the floor.
“Daisy, let the woman take a breath,” the voice holds a warning in it, and I find my eyes rising to take in Elio Agosti. There’s a power radiating from him, a deadliness and a fierceness. His eyes are shrewd as he looks me over. When he meets my gaze, his hazel eyes, such a different color from his brother’s but with the same calculating danger within them, challenge me. “How can you meet her properly when you’re plastered to her like an octopus?”
Daisy pulls away, but just enough to look up at me with a big smile on her face. She waves her hand dismissively at her brother as she scoffs, “Oh, please. I’m too little to do much damage.” Her eyes, a lighter blue than Constantino’s, look up at me and sparkle. “I’ve never had a sister before and I’m so excited.” She huffs out, “I’ve been surrounded by testosterone my entire life and it’s so nice to have you here.”
I’m struck silent for a moment. There’s so much sincerity and hope in her eyes. It’s clear Constantino has told them about our…relationship. Is that what this is? My heart flutters with the thought, but my brain tells me this is closer to a business transaction than something deeper.
Still, Daisy’s smile is infectious, and I find myself giving her one back. “It’s nice to meet you too, Daisy.”
I glance at Constantino out of the corner of my eye to find him looking down at us with love, affection and something like pride in his eyes. Is this the same man who made me scream out an orgasm not long ago with wickedness curled around his features? It’s hard to believe.
Daisy gushes, “I can already tell, we’re going to be great friends. Constantino told me about the tight timeframe for the wedding.” She shoots him a look and then rolls her eyes at me as if to saymen, am I right?Well, she’s not wrong and I find my smile growing and a small laugh escaping my lips at the look on her face. She gives me a sly smile and a nod. “I’m at your service. I have quite a few connections in the city, and I’d love to help you.”
I can’t help myself, I peer down at her, a little surprised. “I don’t mean to sound rude, but aren’t you a little young to have connections in the city?”
Daisy throws her head back and laughs. “You and I both know, considering you’re a Scavo, we grow up fast in this world. I make sure to know the people I need to know so I can do my part for the family. For me that means parties, dinner reservations, and looking the part.” She leans into me and whispers, “It’s the only way I was allowed to grow up and wasn’t stifled. I have a feeling you can understand.”
I find Daisy stealing a little bit of my heart. There’s something like longing in her eyes and when they shift to the side to take in Elio, who now has another man standing next to him, something clicks. I know exactly what she’s talking about. She has the name, but she’s a woman, so she’s been sheltered. I was the same way. Sometimes I’m still not sure how I convinced my father to let me leave to go to school.
If I hadn’t gotten away, I wouldn’t have had a lot of the experiences I did. I might have spent most of my time studying, but I still was able to have my first boyfriend, my first kiss and lose my virginity. I wonder if Daisy will have the same opportunity.
When she loops her arm through mine and starts leading me over to Elio and the man standing next to him, I give her arm a little squeeze in understanding. “I really appreciate you helping me,” I tell her softly.
The smile she gives me is blinding. Which is what the man next to Elio is trying desperately not to focus on. Huh. Interesting.
Constantino’s hand is still on my lower back as his presence looms next to me, but there’s something like contentment coming from him. I soak it up and try to believe in it. It’s not easy, all things considered.
Can saying the right things make doubts disappear?
The man next to Elio is Lorenzo Vitale and along with Luca, the other Agosti brother, we all sit down to dinner. I’m not going to lie, at first, it is awkward and stiff. It’s difficult to ignore the amount of power in the room. I can’t help but think about the amount of blood which has been shed by the men surrounding me.
Daisy spends the evening trying not to look obvious when looking at Lorenzo who, in turn, pointedly ignores her. It makes my heart ache, but the feeling is swept away by the way Constantino keeps his hand on my knee for the entire meal.
Having grown up as an only child, being around these siblings, especially considering they include the most powerful men in the city, is eye-opening. There’s an ease about them and an obvious protectiveness when it comes to Daisy. It’s clear Lorenzo is part of their brotherhood as well. I feel surprisingly special to be let in on it.
As much as I try and detach myself from the reality of how being included makes me feel, I can’t help but laugh when Luca teases me, “So, you’re really going to marry this asshole?”
I find myself looking at Constantino, smiling as I nod. “Yes, I’m going to marry him. He made me an offer and I find I’m powerless against it.”
Constantino’s eyes soften as he leans over and kisses my temple. My body relaxes and I let myself believe just a little more that this is all real and that I’m not setting myself up for heartbreak.