Chapter 5
Alessandro’s expression did not move.
Vivienne seemed disappointed.
“You're not going to hit me?”
Her smile widened.
“I suppose Gerald absorbed enough masculinity for one afternoon.”
Gerald laughed.
Several capos looked away.
Alessandro looked toward Marco.
“Bring Daniel back.”
Marco nodded.
Vivienne rolled her eyes.
“Waste of time.”
“Why did you remove him?”
“Because he refused my order.”
“What order?”
Her eyes hardened.
“To keep Lily away from the west garden.”
Nora looked toward the hidden passage.
Alessandro saw it.
“Why?”
Vivienne shrugged.
“Because children wander.”
“Why that garden?”
“Because I said so.”
Gerald smiled.
“She really does hate repeating herself.”
Alessandro looked toward him.
Gerald continued.
“You might want to get used to that.”
His gaze moved toward Vivienne’s ring.
“You're marrying a woman, not hiring a nanny.”
Alessandro ignored him.
“Who was coming through that passage?”
Vivienne lifted her wine again.
“No one you need to worry about.”
“Name.”
“No.”
The answer came immediately.
Confident.
Almost amused.
Alessandro stared.
She smiled.
“There.”
Her voice became softer.
“This is the part where you remember I am not one of your capos.”
“You cannot command me into confession.”
Alessandro’s eyes hardened.
“No.”
He glanced at her engagement ring.
“But I can decide whether that stays on your hand.”
For the first time, a flash of anger crossed her face.
Not fear.
Possession.
“You wouldn't.”
Gerald stepped forward.
Alessandro looked at him.
Gerald smirked.
“This engagement ties more people together than your romantic pride.”
Vivienne’s eyes flicked toward him.
Interesting.
Alessandro noticed.
“What people?”
Gerald’s smile remained.
“Ask your capos.”
Several men went still.
Power shifted again.
Alessandro looked around the garden.
One capo lowered his eyes.
Another tightened his jaw.
Vivienne laughed.
“See?”
She stepped closer.
“You thought I was decorating tables.”
Her voice became cruelly sweet.
“I was learning your house.”
“Your men.”
“The ones who obey because they respect you…”
She glanced toward Nora.
“…and the ones who obey because they are smart enough to respect power wherever it is going.”
Alessandro stared at her.
“Going?”
Vivienne touched his lapel.
He caught her wrist.
Not painfully.
Firmly.
She smiled up at him.
“Careful.”
“People are watching.”
He released her.
“Good.”
Then the garden gate opened.
A man walked in.
No escort.
Gray suit.
Scar along his jaw.
Several capos stood instantly.
Gerald’s face changed.
Vivienne did not.
She smiled.
“Nico.”
Nico Marzano stopped twenty feet from Alessandro.
Six years of exile had hardened him.
He looked at the hidden passage.
Then at Vivienne.
Then Alessandro.
“I was told the bell had rung.”
Alessandro’s eyes moved toward Vivienne.
She lifted her glass.
As though welcoming an invited guest.
Nico’s gaze hardened.
“She told me you were ready to discuss my return.”
Vivienne smiled.
Gerald whispered:
“Vivienne.”
She ignored him.
May you like
Then Nico added:
“And that after your wedding, the west side of this estate would answer to her.”
