Page 74 of Vows of Blood

“I’ll steam a dress for you and bring it right up.”

Cheeks on fire, I slowly back away from the door. "Thank you, thank you," I whisper as I back inside, rubbing my breast bone, as a panic attack threatens. "You can tell Mr. Calvano I'll be down in a minute."

“Fuck,” I mutter as I launch myself into the bathroom, stopping to wince at the red stubble rash all along one side of my neck. Brushing my teeth and attempting to prepare for what has to be the world’s most uncomfortable conversation, I once again question my sanity.

Rebecca was right. I should have gone into witness protection, anything that would have avoided sitting across from the mother of the dead woman whose fiancé ate me out the day after she died.

Feeling suitably ashamed of myself, I put on the elegant navy dress Carmella has laid out for me. It’s understated and respectful, and the kind of outfit you’d wear to visit a grieving mother. Maybe it will hide the fact that I’m a cold-hearted tramp.

Fiddling with my earrings, I choose not to focus on the fact that Luca spent the evening with his head between my thighs. Or that after receiving multiple life-altering orgasms, I did not once tell him to stop. In fact, cheeks heating as I remember, I distinctly recall gripping him by the hair and threatening him with all sorts of things if he did.

There’s probably a special place in hell for me, and Maeve O’Sullivan is here to send me there.

Staring at myself in the full-length mirror, polished and poised on the outside, and an absolute mess on the inside, I force myself to remember that I’m only here because I want to get justice for Kate, and maybe some petty revenge and financial stability for myself.

Squaring my shoulders, I head downstairs.

Luca is in the hallway, jacket on and phone in hand, looking irritatingly composed and well-rested.

“Must have been some sweet dreams you were having, sleepyhead.” He smirks. “You’re glowing.”

Shameless. Utterly shameless.

“Shh,” I hiss, knocking his hand away when he tries to tuck my hair back, mentally spiraling as I remember just how wanton and needy I was. I ignore his cocky grin and concentrate on regaining my composure before I have to face Maeve.

His hand finds the small of my back, steering me toward the sitting room door, when my steps falter. Tensing, I jump away when he whispers, mouth close to my ear, "Don’t be nervous," he murmurs. "We’ve got this."

I twist to glare at him, his calm demeanor pissing me off.

"Luca. I don’t understand. Why is she here? Why does she want to see me?” I whisper, glancing around before smoothing down my dress again.

"You look perfect." He’s entirely too amused by this.

“You’re an ass.”

I push open the door.

Maeve O'Sullivan is not what I expected. Rather than finding a grieving old woman, softened by loss, I find her hard-edged and immaculate in charcoal grey, silvering red hair pinned back without a strand out of place. She sits in Luca's armchair with the unbothered air of someone who doesn’t care whether they’re welcome or not.

Her shrewd eyes find me immediately, the same green as Kate's, but while I remember Kate’s as playful and kind, Maeve’s are sharp and absolutely merciless.

She doesn't speak. She simply watches me cross the room and sit down across from her.

Silence has weight to it

Deciding to wait and see what this is about, I keep my mouth shut, and my hands still in my lap.

Luca settles beside me, close enough that our thighs touch, and his hand rests on my knee. I inch further along the cushions, wriggling away from him, but Luca throws an arm around my shoulder and stops me from moving further.

"Miss Fox." Maeve says in greeting. "My daughter's fiancé has announced his intention to marry you, and while I understand she was not the love of his life…" She tilts her head, just slightly. "Before I can give you my blessing, tell me why I shouldn't find this obscene."

Holy shit. This woman doesn’t pull any punches.

"You should," I say, imagining she appreciates brutal honesty. "It is obscene. I've told him that."

One silver brow lifts, intrigued. "And yet, here you are."

Luca shifts, ready to jump in, but I cut him off, resting my fingers gently on his forearm.