Bloody Heart (Brutal Birthright #4) - Sophie Lark Page 0,66
Aida says. “I want the dirty details. Who’s nice and who’s a total shit? Who’s sleeping together that I’d never guess?”
I can’t believe how much Aida’s managed to retain the wild energy she had as a child. She’s so animated and playful. She’s got all the joie de vivre in the world, while I don’t seem to have an ounce of it anymore.
I try to play along, to think of something that might amuse her.
“Well,” I say. “There was this one photographer—”
Before I can go any further, Callum Griffin joins us.
“Sorry we didn’t have a chance to meet properly before,” he says, shaking my hand.
“Yes,” Aida says to him, in a pretend-posh tone. “How very remiss of you not to introduce yourself amidst the gunfire, my love.”
“I see you’ve met my wife,” Callum says. I can tell he’s used to Aida’s teasing.
“We actually go way back,” Aida says.
“You do?” Callum raises one thick, dark eyebrow.
“That’s right. You had no idea that I’m BFFs with the most gorgeous woman in the world, did you?” Aida laughs.
“I’m married to the most gorgeous woman in the world,” Callum says, smiling at her.
“Oh my god!” Aida squeezes his arm through his suit jacket. “What a charmer. No wonder you keep getting elected to things.”
“Thank you for coming to the rally today,” Callum says to me. “It’s a good cause.”
“Yes, thanks, Simone,” Aida says solemnly. “I know most people are pro child trafficking, but not you. You’re firmly against it, and I respect that.”
“Yes, I am,” I say, trying not to laugh. Aida hasn’t changed a bit. She may have grown up to look the part of a politician’s wife, but her blithe heart is just the same.
Glancing at Aida’s belly again, I say, “Congratulations, you two. Do you know what you’re having?”
“A boy,” Callum says proudly. I think he would have been proud either way, but I was with Dante long enough to know what a son means to these dynastic families.
“That’s wonderful! I—” I break off mid-sentence. Without thinking, I was about to say that I had a son as well.
“What is it?” Aida asks. Her keen gray eyes are scanning my face. I remember all too well how intelligent she is, and how perceptive.
“I was just going to say how happy I am for you. I’m sure your . . . whole family must be so excited.”
It’s the first time I’ve mentioned Dante, even obliquely.
Aida is still watching me closely, her head slightly tilted to the side.
“They are,” she says softly. “All of them.”
Knowing Aida’s curiosity, I’m surprised she hasn’t asked me about Dante yet. Her restraint probably isn’t a good sign. It means she knows that things between us are still in an ugly place.
“Oh,” Callum says. “There’s Ree.”
I follow his gaze to see Riona Griffin walking into the room, dressed in a stunning cobalt gown. The dress is modest, with long sleeves, but it hugs her figure to perfection. That rich blue against her creamy skin and vibrant hair is far more eye-catching than any amount of bare flesh could be.
Sure enough, Dante follows a dozen feet behind her. My heart goes flying upward, like a quail startled out of the brush. Just as quickly, an arrow pierces through it when Dante’s stern gaze passes over me like I’m not even there.
I wonder if he and Riona came together. They must have, arriving at the same time.
I can feel Aida watching me, observing my reaction to her brother. I wish I could keep my face as still and stony as Dante’s.
“Come on!” Aida says abruptly, grabbing my arm. “Let’s go say hi!”
I don’t have a choice. She drags me over to Dante, with a surprisingly strong grip for someone who is smaller than me and already carrying another human along everywhere she goes.
She practically shoves me right into him, saying, “Hey, brother! It’s me—your one and only sister. Just wanted to show you I’m alive, since you forgot to check on me.”
“I saw Cal pull you off the stage,” Dante says gruffly.
He’s not looking at me. But I can feel the tension between us—thick and electric. It makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I’m terrified for him to turn and face me. And yet I can’t stand being ignored by him.