Chapter 9- My Lova
Luci
Thure days of silence felt like an eternity in a glass rower.
Not complete silence, of course. We still performed our lule charade perfectly for the cameras and the public. The golden couple. The fairy tale romance. Dante Romano and his blushing bride–to–be, giving perfectly scripted soundbites about love at first right and destiny.
about
But in private? Nothing but cold, empty space between in that somehow felt worse than his usual controlling behavior. No sharp
pcomments ab my decorating choices. No loaded glances across the breakfast uble. Not even a lecture about proper campaign behavior just nothing.
I stood in front of my closet mirror, smoothing down the emerald silk dress I’d chosen for dinner with his family. The Romano estate sprawled across twenty acres in the city’s most exclusive neighborhood, all manicured gardens and old world Italian architecture. The kind of place that screamed old money and older power.
“The car’s ready, Miss Valentini” Taylor’s voice came through the door, perfectly professional as always.
I grabbed my clutch, checking my lipstick one last time. Family dinner. Just another performance in our ongoing show,
Dante waited by the elevator, devastating in a black suit that probably cost more than most cars. His eyes flickered over me, lingering on the way the silk hugged my curves, but his face remained impasse.
“Green” he said flatly. “Interesting choice.”
Traised an eyebrow. “Would you prefer I change? Perhaps into something more politically approprate?
“I’s fine” He checked his watch, a gesture I’d learned mean he was annoyed but controlling in “We’re going to be late.”
“Heaven forbid we keep the Romano court waiting.”
The drive was silent, the city lights blurring past as Taylor nongated through evening traffic. I watched Dante’s reflection in the window, noting the tension in his jaw, the way his fingers kept adjusting his perfect tie, Something was bothering him. Three days ago, I might have asked what. Now, 1 just turned back to the window
The Romano estate rose before unlike something nut of an old Italian film. Wrought iron gases opened silently, and we wound up a curved driveway lined with cypress trees. Fountains sparkled in the gathering disk, and warm light spilled froin dozen of windows.
“Remember,” Dante saxar we approached the front door, “they think-
“That we’re madly in love?” I cut him off sweetly. “Don’t worry, caro. I won’t run your perfect story.
His hand caught my cibow, turning me to face him. “Luca—”
But the door opened before he could finish spilling golden light and the sound of female laughter onto the steps
!
“They’re here!” Julia’s voice rang out with genuine excitemem. At twenty eight. Dante’s eldest sister was a vision in a flowing sundress, hier dark curls loose around her shoulders. She’d inherited the Romano good looks but none of their sharp edges “Come in, come in Everyone’s dying to hear ali
about the romancel”
She pulled me into a warm hug that caught me off guard. Behind her, Sofia and Maria appeared, both grinning like this was the best thing that had
ever happened.
“Finally!” Sofia, the middle sister at twenty–five, practically bounced with energy. She shared Dante’s height but none of his reserve, her animated gestures punctuating every word “We’ve been waiting forever to get you alone and hear the real story
“Our brooding brother, falling in love at first sigiv?“ Maria, the youngest at twenty–two, giggled. She was smaller than her sisters, with delicate features that made her look younger than her age. “We need detail”
I felt Danie’s hand settle on my lower back, a gesture that probably looked loving to his sister but felt like a warning to me. “Let her breathe.”
lus voice waren with affection I’d never heard before. “She’s not going anywhere,”
If they only knew
The Romano family dining room could have hosted a state dinner. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over a table that could easily seat thy though tonight it was set intimately for eight. Fine chin and silver gleamed against crisp white lines, and the air smelled of garlic and herbs and something that made my mouch water.
“Lucial” Mrs. Romano emerged from what I assumed was the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron that probably cost more than most people’s entire wardrobes. She was a striking woman in her early sixties, with steel gray hair swept into an elegant twist and the kind of presence thai commanded attention without trying, “Come, comel Let ane look at your”
She cupped my face in her hands, studying me with dark eyes so like Dame’s. “Bella,” she declared. “Perfect for my Dante Call me Mama, si? No
“thank you” I managed, thrown by her warmth.
“Carmela,” Mr. Romano’s deep voice carried across the room as he entered. “Let the girl breathe”
Dante’s father was everything I’d expected and nothing like I’d imagined. Tall and distinguished, with silver threading his dark hair, he carried himself with the same natural authority as his son. But there was kindness in his eyes I hadn’t anticipated.
“Welcome to our home,” he said, kissing my cheeks in the traditional way. “We have much to celebrate, no?”,
125
Choper? My Lowa
“Tell us everything!” Julia insisted as we started on the antipasti. “How did it happen? When did you know?”
looked at Dante, curious despite myself to hear what story he’d crafted.
He set downs his wine glass, his fingers brushing mine on the table in a gesture that felt almost natural. “It was instant,” he said, his voice soft with manufactured emotion as he looked at me. The moment I saw her in that red dress as your wedding, Julia, 1 knew something had changed.”
“The red dress!” Sofia sighed dreamily, “I remember You couldn’t take your eyes off her all night”
That part.
at least was true
was true. Though I remembered his gaze feeling more predatory than romantic at the time
“Tell them about our first date, Came prompted his thumb tracing circles on my hand. The touch sent unwanted sparks up my arm.
1 forced a dreamy smile, deciding two could play at this game. “Oh yes, it was magical. Dante surprised me with a private dinner on his yacht. He’d covered the entire deck in candlelight and white roses,” I looked at him through my lashes. “He even had the chef recreate the meal from my press first date.”
Complete fiction, but his visters practically mehed
“Four dates” Maria sighed romantically. “Tiui’s all a took liefore you knew?”
“When you know, you know, Dante said smoothly, bringing my hand to his lips. The gesture made my heart skip traitorously. “Why wait when you’ve found the right person“”
“Perfetto” Mrs. Romana–Mama–beamed at us from the head of the table. “And soon, bambini, si The Romano line must continue!”
I nearly choked on my wine.
“Mama” Done warned, but his mother waved him off
“What is natural Young love, beautiful couple.” She gestured expansively with her fork. “The nursery at the villa needs filling! And such beautiful habies you will make!”
“First the wedding.” Donte’s Esther continued, signaling for more wine. “Have you set a date?”
“December,” Dante answered before I could speak. “Small ceremony, intense reception.”
I shot him a look. This was neks to inc.
“December” Julia clapped her hands. “Oh, it will be perfect We can use the ballroom here, transform it into a winter wonderland
“With white roses everywhere.” Sofia added excitedly. “And crystal icicles Isanging from the chandeliers!”
“And those lidle lights that look like stars,” Maria chimed in “Remember from cousin lubelli’s wedding?? |
They were off plaming every detail of a wedding that was nothing but a business arrangement. The Romano sisters, I was learning, shared none of their brother’s calculating nature. They lived in a world where love conquered all and fairy tales came true.
Tenvied them that innocenr
The rest of dinner passed in a whirlwind of wedding i
talk and anally stories. Mr. Romano–Call me Papa, please” – tok takes of Dante as a child, always three steps ahead of everyone else. Mrs. Romano shared cimbarrassing stories about his sister that had everyone laughing, even
Danile.
They were nothing like Id expected. They laughed easily, teased each other mercilessly, and somehow made me feel like I belonged,
It was nice. And terrible. Because none of it was real
The ride home was silent agam Taylor focused on the road as city lights blared past. Dante worked on his tablet, completely ignoring me. warmth of family dinner faded with each passing mile, replaced by that hollow feeling I’d been fighting for days.
My phone buzzed. Elina.
“Have you seen it Her message came with a link
The
My heart stopped. Mark’s latest rabbition had opened conight at the Peterson Gallery downtown. The rentrance was a massive Lova–al black and white study of a woman’s head turned away, dark waves cascading down her back.
sive canvas titled “My
Me. It was mnr.
What could I say? I am sorry but I wain’t that girl anymore!
The Lucia in that painting was young, hopeful, full of dreams about true love conquering all. The woman Id become knew better. Knew that love wasn’t enough in our world
“Everything alright? Dantes voice startled me. He hadn’t looked up from his tablet.
“Fe.“The word came nut sharper than I intended
He finally met my eyes, his gaze incense in the dim car. “You don’t seem fine.”
“Do P” Hlocked my phone, shoving it in my purse. “Maybe I’m just tired of pretending Your family in lovely “I meant it. “They deserve better than
this lir.”
His jaw tight. “It’s necessary.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” I turned to the window, “I need to handle something tomorrow. I’ll be back for the charity gala in the evening.”
“Handle what?
