I shuffle from one foot to the other, chewing on my fingernail as we walk down the hallway. Today is the day Lorenzo Moretti finally returns home, along with his wife, Anya. Since his proposal a week ago, Dante has been attentive and caring and we are in a better place than we’ve ever been. But I’m a little apprehensive about the impact his older brother’s return will have on our relationship.
“Stop,” Dante orders, removing my hand from my mouth and entwining my fingers in his to stop my fidgeting.
“Sorry, I don’t understand why I’m so nervous,” I admit in a whisper.
“Hmm.” He releases my hand and stuffs his into his trouser pockets instead.
The stories about Lorenzo Moretti and his love of violence have been around for as long as I can remember. Dante, however, isn’t the slightest bit nervous. Distracted maybe, but not nervous. I know he’s the head of the family, but it’s no secret that Lorenzo was supposed to be. However, for some reason, Dante took over their father’s mantle instead. Rumor has it that Lorenzo was furious at the time and has never forgiven his father and brother for the slight.
We come to a stop in the hallway, a few feet from the huge oak doors that lead into the main house. I glance sideways at Dante but he’s staring intently at the doorway, as though he’s worried he might miss his brother’s return. Joey comes out of the den and stands beside us, rocking on the balls of her toes as she stares at the door too.
The door swings open, and Joey squeals, “Anya,” running forward and enveloping the tiny blonde woman who just walked through the door in a hug.
“Guiseppina,” the giant bear of a man beside her, who I assume is Lorenzo, says gruffly.
“Oh, quit it,” Joey snaps at him as she releases his wife from her arms.
Lorenzo’s dark eyes drift to his brother and then to me and his face is so unreadable that it makes me feel a little queasy. He looks a lot like Dante with his thick dark hair and his beard, but he’s bigger than his younger brother and his jaw a little squarer. There is something about his eyes that makes me shiver. He is the meanest looking man I have ever seen in my life. I have no idea what to expect from his arrival, but I do know that I feel his presence in this house already.
“Dante,” he says, his tone low.
“Welcome home, brother,” Dante replies as he takes hold of my hand again and squeezes gently. “Anya, it’s a pleasure to see you.”
“You too, Dante,” Anya replies with a faint smile. She keeps her head up but her eyes down as she replies to him and something about that feels off. She is so tiny she reminds me of a little bird. Lorenzo has his hand on the small of her back, but his whole aura is possessive and controlling. She doesn’t meet his eyes either and it’s unnerving.
“This is Kat,” Dante says.
“It’s lovely to meet you both,” I say with as warm a smile as I can manage with my stomach twisted up in knots.
Lorenzo gives me a faint nod and then whispers something in his wife’s ear. That’s when her eyes finally meet mine, and she smiles at me, her face transforming completely. She is stunningly beautiful and absolutely captivating.
“Shall we leave the ladies to become acquainted?” Lorenzo says, addressing Dante now.
“Yes,” Joey says excitedly, grabbing hold of Anya’s hand. “We have so much to catch up on.”
Dante gives me a soft kiss on the forehead. “I’ll see you before dinner, kitten.”
Then he releases my hand from his, and he and his older, incredibly mean and moody looking brother, disappear along the hallway to his study, leaving us ladies alone.
As soon as Lorenzo is out of sight, Anya walks toward me. “Kat?” she says with only a trace of a Russian accent. “It’s so wonderful to meet you.” Then she pulls me into a hug, and I wrap my arms around her slender frame. She smells like candy floss.
“Let’s go. Sophia has made us some cocktails in honor of your return.” Joey giggles like a carefree twenty-one year old for once. “Alcohol-free for you two obviously,” she adds.
“Then what are we waiting for?” Anya says, clasping one of our hands in each of hers as we head off to the kitchen.
“Do you not drink, Anya?” I ask.
“It doesn’t agree with my medication,” she replies with a sweet smile.
“Oh,” I reply, not wanting to ask what medication that is because it feels too much like prying.
“So I hear we have a wedding and a baby to prepare for?” Anya asks excitedly, changing the subject.
“Kat still won’t set a date,” Joey groans, making Anya chuckle. “And she won’t let me choose any bridesmaids dresses or buy anything for the baby.”
“I’ll set a date soon, but I don’t want a fancy event. And as for the baby, it’s too soon to be buying anything yet. I’m only ten weeks.”
“Ugh,” Joey says with a dramatic roll of her eyes.
“Patience, my dear Guiseppina,” Anya says softly, and the sweet smile Joey gives her in return makes my heart swell in my chest. They have a beautiful relationship and it gives me hope for my own future in this family. Although I’m not sure I like Lorenzo, I think his wife is going to become one of my favorite people.
