Twisted Hearts (The Camorra Chronicles 5)

Finally, he looked away, setting me free.

“I need to catch some fresh air,” I said in a rush. In truth, I only needed a moment to myself so I could really let the situation sink in. It still felt too surreal to be true. Too good.

“I’ll come with you,” Diego said at once.

I shook my head, seeking Toni’s gaze. “I can go. And we’re only in the backyard, so nothing’s going to happen.”

Diego exchanged a look with Dad. Then he stood. “I’m coming.”

Dad pushed to his feet as well. “I’ll have a talk with Remo and later with Savio.”

I nodded, only half-listening. For some reason, I suddenly felt as if I couldn’t breathe. Diego put a hand on my back and gently nudged me forward. I lightly leaned against him, not even sure why. People were watching me. I wasn’t sure where Savio was and I was almost relieved that I wasn’t caught up in his stare as well.

With Diego at my side, we pushed through the drinking and talking Camorrista quickly until we reached the door behind the bar and then the deserted corridor. Commotion came from the kitchen and I walked farther down to an even quieter spot. There I leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. So much had happened these last few days. It was mind-boggling.

Diego leaned right beside me, staring down at me with quiet scrutiny. “I thought you’d be happy.”

I was happy, ridiculously happy, and yet, I couldn’t really give in to that light-hearted feeling. Maybe because after all these years and after thinking it wouldn’t happen, I finally had what I wanted all along. I would marry Savio.

The promise that silly ten-year-old Gemma had given herself, it was going to become reality. “Are you?” I asked Diego instead of answering his question.

He frowned. “Happy?”

“Yeah.”

I tilted my head to the side, my temple against the cool wall, and studied my brother. For as long as I could remember, he’d protected me, mostly from non-existing dangers, but still. Strangely enough, I wanted his approval, wanted him to be happy for me.

“Can’t say that I am.”

“Why? Because you’re worried I’ll take Savio from you?” I didn’t think it was that.

Diego snorted. “We’re not attached to the hip. You make it sound like we’re in some kind of twisted bromance.”

I laughed. “You spent a lot of time together. You used to.”

A hint of regret passed Diego’s face. “It pissed me off how he chased one girl after the other, especially because I knew you wanted him to ask for your hand.”

“You were angry because of me.”

“Of course, Gemma, what do you think?” He shook his head. “And the reason why I’m not happy is because I don’t think Savio deserves you. Not the way he’s been acting and certainly will keep acting until you’re married and maybe even…” He trailed off.

“He’ll have to change his ways now that we’re engaged.”

Diego sighed and touched the top of my head. “I doubt that’s going to happen.”

The door to the bar swung open and Savio stepped into the corridor, still only in his fight shorts and barefoot. He stalked toward us, causing Diego to straighten and narrow his eyes in full protector mode.

The butterflies in my belly fluttered wildly when Savio stopped beside me.

“Give us a moment,” Savio said.

“I don’t think so.”

“Back off, Diego. I talked to your dad. He wants a word with you and Remo.”

Diego stepped very close to Savio. “I warn you. You won the fight and my sister’s hand, but that doesn’t entitle you to anything else. She’s sixteen and not your wife.”

“I’ll behave,” Savio said.

Diego gave me a questioning look. Maybe I should have asked him to stay, but I wanted a moment alone with Savio, no matter how it might make me look. Before he left, Diego leaned down to my ear, whispering. “Savio is a sweet talker. Don’t forget our values.”

He straightened and strode away, banging the door with more force than necessary.

“Let me guess, he warned you off my deviant ways?”

My eyes lingered on his arrogant smile, and sweet talker or not, I could have danced from joy over becoming his wife.

I quickly turned my back to him, clearing my throat. “People might wonder what we’re doing here all alone. I should probably return to my family.” My voice was embarrassingly breathless, a nervous flutter my vocal cords only produced when Savio was around. I didn’t want him to know how happy his victory made me, but my body made hiding my emotions near impossible. His ego certainly didn’t need another boost.

“Now you’re mine, Kitty.” Heat radiated off his body, covered my back in a delicious cocoon as his shadow fell over me. The scent of manly sweat mingled with blood and Savio’s very own enticing aroma. His hot breath dusted my bare shoulder blade as he leaned down. “Every inch of that beautiful skin.” He pressed a light kiss to my shoulder, catching me off guard. Instead of telling him off, my body flushed with heat and the familiar butterflies that only Savio could create fluttered in my belly. Maybe this kiss was the reason why Mom usually insisted that I wore sleeved dresses.