Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Mauro
Absolutely breathtaking.
My hand lies flat against my chest, my middle finger tapping twice as my eyes sweep over Alina, standing before me in her new dress, leaving me paralyzed by her beauty.
The purple fabric—I have no idea what the hell they called it in the store—hugs her body in all the right places, accentuating her curves.
The ones I spend my nights worshipping until the early hours, caressing every goddamn inch of her until she’s satisfied and asleep beside me.
“Mauro?”
Fuck. I internally shake my head, running a hand over my freshly shaved face.
Alina tilts her head to the side, her brown hair cascading across her exposed shoulders. “Do I look okay?”
I step forward, closing the distance between us as my hands find their place on her waist. Leaning in, I brush my lips against her ear. “Beau…” I clear my throat, trying to ignore the pain as I force out, “Beautiful.”
A warm smile appears on her face, her eyes softening.
I stand straight and reach for my neck, massaging the center where the pain radiates. Her smile fades, and her fingers replace mine, gently pressing down.
“You don’t have to use your voice to talk to me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love hearing it, but I know how much it hurts you to do so, and I don’t want to be the reason for your pain.”
You’re worth it. I brush her hair over her shoulder and lower my face until our lips meet in a soft, comfortable kiss.
Pulling away, she quickly rubs one of her eyes.
“Contacts are so annoying,” she says, slipping her arms into her coat, which I hold out for her.
She then knots the belt around her waist. The length of the coat conceals everything except the heels on her feet, leaving me to fantasize about her wearing those and only those… Maybe tonight.
I open the front door and gesture a hand toward the waiting SUV.
She walks by me, a hint of her alluring scent wafting around me.
After locking the door, I turn and stop, finding her facing me.
Snowflakes drift lazily between us, catching in her hair as she studies me with a quiet intensity, a spark of something unspoken in her eyes.
“Before we go,” she says softly, “I wanted to tell you that you look really handsome. You always do.” Her smile is gentle but sincere.
“I just thought you should know.” Before I can respond, she rises onto her toes, one hand resting lightly against my chest as she presses a brief, warm kiss to my cheek.
Something loosens in my chest, a sudden rush of warmth spreading faster than I can steady it.
She thinks I’m handsome?
She pulls back, her fingertips tracing my jaw in a fleeting, almost absentminded gesture before she turns away. The driver opens the door, and she slips inside with effortless grace, gathering her coat as she settles across the seat.
I pause for a moment, drawing in a slow breath, reminding myself one last time that this is only temporary, an illusion with no truth. Something that will be ending very soon.
“Alina, that dress is stunning.” Scarlett pulls her into a hug as we enter the lobby of the function hall, and I find myself suddenly very jealous of my sister-in-law.
“Glad you could make it,” Leo remarks, taking my hand. “Vin’s already here, grabbing a drink, and the others should be arriving soon. They ran into some traffic because of the weather.”
I nod in response. As soon as Scarlett removes her hands from Alina, I snake my arm around Alina’s waist, pulling her closer to my side.
Scarlett smiles, looking between us. “Marriage life suits both of you.”
“There you are.” Vin approaches with a crystal glass in hand, his other hand resting on my shoulder.
Our mother and Alex step into view, moving toward us.
Vin’s gaze immediately locks onto our mother. “Did you know the governor was planning on being here tonight?”
“He’s here?” Alex asks, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
“Yes.” Our mother smiles as Alina approaches, wrapping her arms around her affectionately before turning to me.
She cups my face and plants a kiss on my cheek before doing the same ritual to the rest of my siblings.
“I’m afraid he caught wind of tonight’s affair and all but invited himself.
” She scoffs lightly. “If it weren’t for the very sizable donation he’s making, I’d have him escorted out of here. ”
Alex clears his throat. “And where exactly is he now?”
Vin tilts his head toward the rear of the room. “At the bar. I may have…encouraged the bartender to add a little something extra to his drink.”
Leo lets out a sharp laugh, and I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face.
Of course he did.
“We’re here!” Madeleine hurries across the room with Eli close by her side, both of them brushing snow from their coats as if they barely made it inside before the storm worsened. “It’s really coming down out there. Hopefully, it won’t affect tonight’s contributions.”
Mother greets her with a kiss on each cheek. “I’m sure it will be fine. Most of our guests have already arrived.”
“Besides,” Vin adds smoothly, lifting his glass, “I’m well aware of tonight’s goal, and I’ll ensure it’s met before we leave.”
Madeleine’s expression softens as she studies him. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a big softy beneath all that bravado?”
Vin scoffs, tipping back the rest of his drink in one swallow. “It’s purely for tax purposes.”
She rolls her eyes. “Uh-huh.”
“Should we find our seats?” Scarlett asks.
Leo takes her hand, guiding us into the massive room beyond.
It’s been transformed into a circus tent brought to life.
Swaths of red and gold fabric drape from the ceiling, converging overhead, while strings of warm lights glow softly, casting just enough illumination to give the space a hushed, enchanted feel.
Each table is dressed in deep red linen, encircled by gold-toned chairs, with sparklers standing upright at the center like restrained bursts of light.
“This is something else,” Alina murmurs.
I pull out a chair for her and gently guide it in once she’s seated before taking my place beside her.
“Any word from the Vasilievs?” Leo asks Vin.
Alina’s gaze flicks toward them, a flash of tension crossing her face before she looks away, smoothing a napkin carefully across her lap. I reach for her hand on her thigh and squeeze it in reassurance that everything is okay. Her eyes look up at me, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Vin leans back in his chair, draping a relaxed arm over the empty seat beside him. “Nothing yet,” he says easily. “But I’m sure it’s coming.”
“Boys,” our mother interjects, her tone light but firm, “no talk of business tonight.”
“Of course, Mother.” Vin tugs at his tie, already looking like he’s counting the minutes until he can lose it.
“Ah, if it isn’t my favorite family.” The icy voice cuts cleanly through the table, and every head turns as Governor Garrett Johnson approaches, his smile tight and practiced. “The Alaries.”
“Governor Johnson,” Vin drawls, barely masking his disdain. “Fancy seeing you here. I didn’t realize you had such a heart for the cause.”
The governor presses a hand to his chest, brows knitting together in what might almost pass for sincerity. “Oh, but of course. My heart aches for the women and children who find themselves in such unfortunate circumstances.” He shakes his head solemnly. “Truly heartbreaking.”
Scarlett shifts closer to Leo, who immediately wraps an arm around her, his eyes drilling holes into the side of the governor’s head.
“Speaking of women in unfortunate situations…” Alex leans forward, fingers steepled on the table. His expression remains calm and measured, but his eyes darken, betraying the restraint beneath it. “Where’s your wife?”
Eli coughs into his fist. “Mic drop.”
I scratch at my jaw, fighting the grin threatening to break free. Well, that’s interesting…
The governor holds Alex’s gaze, his jaw tightening until it visibly pops. “Unfortunately, she wasn’t feeling well this evening,” he says stiffly. “She had to remain at home to recover.”
“What a shame,” Mother replies smoothly. “I don’t believe we’ve ever been properly introduced. Perhaps we could remedy that soon.”
The governor offers a tight, noncommittal smile. “Perhaps.” His attention drifts around the table before settling on Alina. Something dark flickers through his eyes. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Not liking the way his eyes are soaking her in like she’s his next meal to devour, I lock my arm around her shoulder, tugging her to my side, trying to hide as much of her as possible.
Alina tilts her head up, unaffected by his gaze. “I’m Mauro’s wife, Alina.”
“I see,” he murmurs.
I meet his stare head-on. Whatever crosses my expression must be clear enough, because his confidence falters. The air between us turns sharp, charged, and he takes an instinctive step back, raising his hands slightly. “Message received.”
“How’s work?” Vin asks. “Heard you’re in need of a new assistant. Such a shame. It really is difficult to find good help nowadays.”
Garrett’s jaw clenches. “Yes. Quite unfortunate. One day, he was here. The next…gone. How odd, don’t you think?”
“Very odd.” Vin scratches his chin. “Well, I’m sure wherever he is…” He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “He got what he deserved. They all always do.”
Garrett’s eyes narrow in on Vin before he casts one final glimpse around the table, his hand suddenly pressing to his stomach. His face grimaces, discomfort flashing through his carefully maintained composure. “Well,” he says firmly, “I should make my rounds. As always, it’s been a pleasure.”
Vin lifts his glass, unimpressed. “Has it?”
Garrett scowls, then turns and strides toward the back of the room.
Vin takes a satisfied sip of his drink. “Guess the laxative finally kicked in.” Laughter ripples around the table.