collar loose. His smile was easy and his gaze slightly glassy.
Matteo Bellatoni was an adorable drunk.
“Nora is leaving.”
“No!” He pouted. “You promised me a dance.”
“Raincheck?” I chuckled.
“Everything’s okay though, right?” Concern pinched his expression.
“Everything is fine.” My smile felt weak, but it was all I could manage. Matteo cocked his head, frowning, and I knew he knew.
Maybe he didn’t know everything… but he knew something. I needed to escape before the questions started.
“The car is almost ready,” Luis announced, touching his hidden earpiece.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” I hugged Ari again. “Matteo, always a pleasure.”
“Don’t be a stranger,” he said.
“You won’t get rid of me that easily.” I smirked.
Luis stepped aside to let me pass, but just as I was about to leave the room, I felt him.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Enzo standing in the shadows, watching me. A shudder rolled through me, remembering our moment in the storage room. I refused to label it as a mistake. How could something be a mistake when you wanted it so badly? And we had—we’d both wanted it.
Enzo just didn’t want me enough.
With a defeated sigh, I let Luis guide me out of the bar and to the car waiting on the sidewalk. Another one of the Marchetti security detail exited the driver’s side and came around to open the back door for me. I slid inside, relieved to be alone, concealed by the security glass and tinted windows.
I didn’t cry. I wouldn’t. But it hurt. It hurt so fucking much.
I wouldn’t let Enzo Marchetti break my spirit though. I was better than that.
Stronger.
All I wanted was to be there for him. What hurt most was knowing I was good enough to fuck, but not good enough to have a conversation with.
Damn you to hell, Enzo.
Inhaling a sharp breath, I pressed my head against the cool glass, watching the city lights roll by until the streets became more familiar. By the time the car rolled to a stop outside La Stella, I wanted nothing more than to wash the night’s events off me with a hot shower followed by a hot cocoa and my favorite fluffy pajamas.
Luis came around and opened the door. “Miss Abato.”
“Thanks, Luis.” I clutched my purse and headed for the door. But he followed.
“You don’t need to come up,” I said. “It’s fine.”
“Mrs. Marchetti—”
“Will kick your ass if she knows you’re calling her Mrs. behind her back.”
He cleared his throat. “Arianne.”
My lips curved. “Fine. You may escort me inside. But then you’re leaving. I’m fine. Everything is fine.”
He gave me a pointed look, but I waved him off, going inside.
But when we reached my apartment, I came to an abrupt stop. “Luca?” My brows pinched.
“Oh, hey.” He ran a hand through his hair, almost doing a double take when he saw my dress. “Wow, you look… wow.”
“Uh, thanks.” I flushed around a strangled chuckle. “What are you doing standing outside my apartment?”
“Funny story… I went down to take out the trash and got locked out of my apartment. I rang the super, but he isn’t answering.”
“You got locked—” I smothered the laughter building in my chest. “Easily done, I guess. Come on, you can come inside until the super answers.”
“Miss Abato, I’m not sure that’s—”
“You can leave now, Luis.” My brow lifted, and he cussed under his breath.
“Very well, I’ll be down the hall.”
“Fine.” I entered my apartment and invited Luca inside.
“Who was that?” he asked, following me to the kitchen.
“My best friend’s bodyguard.”
“Your best friend has a bodyguard? What is she? A celebrity or something.”
Or something.
“My best friend is Arianne Capizola,” I said. It was nothing he couldn’t find out by Googling me. Ever since the wedding, Arianne’s name had popped up in the press. Not to mention the fact she was an active member of Capizola Holdings board of directors now. Something like that got attention.
“Arianne Capizola? The Capizola heir… the same girl who married Niccolò Marchetti and brokered one of the biggest partnerships of Rhode Island’s history?”
“That’s the one.” I offered him a beer.
“Holy shit… makes sense you’d live here I guess then.” He took a long pull.
“Why’s that?”
“This building belongs to Roberto Capizola.” Luca shrugged. “The place is like Fort Knox.”
“Especially when you’re locking yourself out.” I smirked, and he roared with laughter.
“Touché.” Luca tipped the neck of his bottle toward me. “So where were you tonight?”
“At a party.”
“Some party if you were home early.”
“I didn’t feel so good.”
His expression fell. “Shit, Nora. I can go. Let me try the super one