Page 24 of His to Ruin
“It’s not a big deal. I just won’t be working for Antonio, that’s all.”
“He told you that?” I ask, and she nods. “I’m sorry, Less. He’s such a prick. Did he give you a reason?”
“None I wanted to hear.” Alessia takes a large gulp of wine and sets her glass down. “Enough about me. How are you enjoying your big day?”
“It’s more fun than I thought it would be.”
“I can’t believe you pulled this off in a week.”
“You know how it is. Money talks.” I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m still amazed we got an ice sculpture in time.”
Alessia laughs. “It’s really fucking tacky. Your mom’s idea?”
I roll my eyes. “I couldn’t talk her out of it.” Grabbing Alessia’s glass, I take a sip. “It’s been a great day, but I wish Jimmy was here.”
Aside from close family, my bodyguard is the one person I wanted to have with me today. I haven’t seen him since I returned from Italy. I think that’s Antonio’s fault. He obviously preferred to have his own men watching me this week. Perhaps it’s because he knows Jimmy’s loyalty lies with me and not him.If I’d wanted to disappear before the wedding, my faithful guard would have made it happen.
Jimmy has messaged a few times to let me know he was thinking about me and apologizing that he couldn’t accept my invitation to the wedding. I get that. He’s uncomfortable around a lot of people. Now that Piotr’s whisking me off to Paris, I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to catch up with him. I hate not seeing him for so long. He’s so much more than an employee to me.
“Yeah, I noticed he was missing. What’s with that?”
“You know how he is at big events. He was afraid he’d scare the kids.”
“Those little horrors.” Alessia motions toward the other side of the room where several of my young cousins are tearing one of the floral arrangements to pieces and throwing petals at each other. “It would take more than a few scars to scare those beasts.”
“He’s sensitive, and most of these assholes don’t have a filter.” Mobsters aren’t known for their considerate natures. I’ve heard some of the men in this room say truly horrific things to people. While Jimmy doesn’t show any sign of being bothered by his scars when he’s on duty, I haven’t seen him at any social gathering since he was injured. “He said he had a surprise for me, though. I guess I’ll find out what it is when Piotr and I get back.”
“Where are you going?”
“Paris.”
“Paris?” Alessia groans. “Lucky bitch.”
“I know, right?” I don’t tell her I’m likely to be enjoying one of the most romantic cities in Europe alone. Well, as alone as I can be with a security detail trailing after me. I’m sure a man like Piotr won’t allow his wife to wander around unprotected.
I look up as one of the servers approaches the table.
“A message arrived for you, miss.”
I hold my hand out to take the small white envelope from her. “Thank you.”
When I tear open the envelope, my heart stops. Inside is a photo. It’s me, sitting on the bed in that cheap hotel room Dario took me to. I’m completely naked. I flip the photo over to find a message scrawled on the back.Does the Pakhan know what a slut his new wife is?
My heart practically stops. I scan the room, trying to work out who sent this to me. It has to be someone here because the announcement about Piotr becoming Pakhan was only made a few minutes ago. The thought that one of my guests might be watching me right now, waiting to see my reaction to the photograph, makes me sick to the stomach.
“Are you okay?” Alessia asks.
“No.” I stuff the photo into the envelope and crush it in my hand. I pass it to her as Piotr approaches the table. “Burn this for me.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Promise me, Alessia,” I hiss under my breath.
She nods. “Of course.”
“What’s that?” Piotr asks, pointing to the crumpled paper in Alessia’s hand.
“Nothing.” I get up from my seat to block his view of my cousin. “Someone’s idea of a joke.”
