Chapter 15 Priest's hand was on the small of Miyori's back when Raziel's soon-to-be wife opened the door. I was standing behind Priest and Miyori, hiding. She smiled when she saw them. I peeked between their arms to see her. She was tall. Thin in the Victoria's Secret model type way, flat everywhere but her boobs. Her black hair fell in waves down her back, glossy like a shampoo commercial, and her lips were painted a perfect red.She wore a satin slip dress in a shade I didn't have the funds to pronounce. Everything about her looked curated, like she'd been styled by some Italian auntie with old mob money.And she was beautiful.Annoyingly so.But I was too. She didn't seem like Raziel's type. Not that I knew what that was-he liked holding on to the thick parts of me a little too much to go for a skinny minnie. Her eyes stayed on Miyori, sizing her up. I thought maybe she was gonna say something slick.She did. But with a smile. "You are as beautiful as the rumors," she said, blinking like she was in disbelief. Miyori gave her a polite nod of her head. Priest's body stiffened. He heard the surprise under the compliment too-like she didn't believe Miyori would actually be as pretty as she was. Priest was probably scowling at her.Old Miyori would've gone off, but now she had learned mob decorum. So I knew she had a fake smile on her face. I watched her take Priest in next. Her eyes kind of flashed in acknowledgment of how good he looked. She fluttered her lashes at him, and I almost laughed.Alessia was definitely one of those pretty girls who thought the whole room existed to orbit her. Who thrived off being the most adored. The most envied. The most chosen.Priest had already murdered one of those types for my sister. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Vale," she said. Priest just grunted. I couldn't help the snort that slipped from my lips. Alessia's eyes flicked to me. "And who is this?" Miyori turned to me. "This is my sister, Maya. I hope you don't mind me bringing her." Alessia gave me a slow once-over. I didn't mind because why? I was fine as fuck. I wore a tailored red satin dress that clung like sin and slid up just enough thigh to command attention. Her gaze lingered at my waist. "That dress-I saw it before," she said, voice light. "Off the runway?" "Nope," I said, popping my lip. "I made it myself. A version of the one you saw.""Three thousand for a dress?" I shrugged. "Could never be me." Alessia turned. "How quaint," I heard her mumble. Then she said, "Come in," moving away from the door to let us in. I bit my tongue.Because this wasn't my house. And I wasn't trying to cause Miyori any trouble, even if the bitch was asking for it. I wondered where Raziel was. Then Raziel appeared from the hallway like he'd been summoned. His eyes landed on me-and he froze.For half a heartbeat, everything in him stilled.Then his expression shuttered. Cold. Controlled. Like I wasn't even in the room. Bastard. Alessia looped her arm through his. "Let's show you around my father's house. He's been kind enough to let me host here while he's in Italy."Her gaze flicked to Priest. "He wants me to get acquainted with everyone in our circle. We can all be... friends." I rolled my eyes. Miyori's hand grazed my arm as she leaned close. "Don't act up in these people's house over a man that ain't yours." I arched a brow. "Priest was married when y'all met," I reminded her. "This chick ain't got no ring." She sucked her teeth and looked away.I smiled sweetly. Alessia led us through rooms like she was on a real estate tour, spouting history and pointing out antiques like anyone gave a damn.When we returned to the living room, the rest of the guests were already sipping cocktails-twelve in total. Older women with tight smiles, younger ones with tighter dresses. Two men-her cousins-hovered near the fireplace, talking fast in Italian and laughing. Raziel walked off and took a seat at the head of the table. I watched out of my peripheral as he waved a server over for a drink. "Maya," Alessia said, "if you're single, I should introduce you to my cousin Matteo. Smart. Family man. Loyal." I turned, smiling. "Single as can be. Nobody likes me. And the ones who do, don't want to." I made sure my voice carried. Matteo grinned when I gave him a once-over. He was pretty.Olive skin, perfect teeth, tousled dark hair. His jaw looked carved by God himself, and his hazel eyes crinkled when he smiled-like he knew he was charming. He wore a crisp button-up, sleeves rolled to show off forearms.The kind of guy who ordered wine in fluent Italian and called you bella. I didn't do pretty.Pretty was for girls who wanted sweet, well-mannered men. Who liked being called princess and swooned over roses and candlelight. Raziel's glass hit the table hard behind me.I didn't even look.My phone buzzed a second later. You better tell her no. I grinned. Alessia tilted her head. "What's funny?" I held her gaze. "Oh, nothing. But if your cousin is interested, I'd be okay with seeing what he's all about." Matteo nodded. "I'll get your number before I leave." Alessia looked pleased. I knew what she was doing-trying to make sure no single women lingered near her man. Dinner was announced.The mahogany table was set like a magazine spread-crystal, china, candelabras.And one empty seat beside Matteo. "Maya," Alessia said sweetly, "why don't you sit there?"Right beside her cousin. Matteo stood, pulling out my chair with a dimpled smile.He kissed the back of my hand like he thought it'd do something to me. It didn't.I sat. Smiled. Shot a glance at Raziel.His jaw was tight. His gaze, locked on his plate. The appetizers came. Matteo talked. He was charming. Educated. Full of himself in a harmless way.I laughed in the right places. I even leaned in a little. Just enough for Raziel to see.And I felt him watching.Every move.Every breath. Matteo said something about his villa in Naples and his mother's obsession with roses.I nodded. "That sounds beautiful." Matteo reached for the wine. Another buzz. I'm going to fuck you sore later tonight if you keep this shit up. I nearly choked on my water. Matteo leaned over. "You okay?" I smiled. "Just fine." When the entrées were served, Alessia raised a toast.Something about tradition and family and growing stronger together. I was too busy imagining Raziel storming across the table, flipping it, and dragging me out by my wrist.He looked about ready to do it. Five-year-old Annie, who can understand animals, saved Landon Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman, from suicide. Now she's his whole world and he's her legal cheat-code against every villain fate throws ...