Sweet Temptation

Chapter 5

Giulia

After the dance with my brother, I wanted nothing more than to find a quiet corner to get a grip, but Cassio's father limped toward me.

I gave him a smile as my brother slinked away after a curt nod. Mr. Moretti held out his hand.

"Will you give this old man the honor of dancing with the bride?"

"Of course, Mr. Moretti," I said with a small curtsy.

"Mansueto, please. We're family now."

I nodded and took his hand, wondering how this was going to work with his cane. He smiled wistfully.

"We'll have to dance in one spot if you're all right with that, young lady."

Again, I nodded and stepped a bit closer. He handed his cane to a man I didn't know and lightly touched my back. Then we began to sway to the music.

"You're very quiet. From what I hear, you're not a quiet girl."

My cheeks heated, wondering who had given him that piece of information. Christian? Definitely not my mother. Mansueto's eyes were kind, but like his son, his reputation was chilling.

"My son's reputation makes me proud," he began as if he could read my mind, which freaked me out.

"I know he'll rule over Philadelphia without trouble, even once I'm gone. But it's a reputation that might unsettle a young woman, especially as young as yourself."

I wasn't sure what to say. I felt like I should contradict him because tradition dictated that I pretend I wasn't unsettled by my husband, but that would have been a lie, and unfortunately, I was a bad liar, much to Mom's chagrin.

"My wife and I raised my son to respect women, and from what I know, he does."

From what I knew, the bets on him killing his wife in a rampant rage were winning. He didn't appear like someone who would lose control like that, but had earned his reputation as one of the cruelest leaders in our circles for a reason, and Christian's words had only confirmed my fears.

"Thank you for telling me," I said, because I had to say something. I didn't feel consoled. The song ended and we stopped our swaying. Faro stood with his last dance partner to my left. I caught his eye, thinking as best man and Consigliere, he'd want a dance.

He shook his head with an apologetic smile.

"If I ever tire of life, I'll ask for that dance." He turned and asked another woman.

Flabbergasted, I stared at Mansueto.

He laughed.

"Come on, let's head back to the table."

"What was that?" I asked as I followed his slow progress toward the table where Cassio was still conversing with Luca as if this was a business meeting and not our wedding.

"My son is a bit territorial, I'm afraid. You can dance with family, but please refrain from approaching other men. I'd hate to witness a conflict at your wedding."

waited for his laugh, something that indicated he was joking. He didn't. I stopped and so did he.

"I think I'll freshen up."

He nodded, but his expression showed he knew I wanted to run. With a small smile, I turned on my heel and hurried out of the ballroom.

I rushed past the restrooms and turned a corner into a deserted corridorbwhere I leaned against the wall and slowly sank down. My dress bunched around me like a pure white bubble. It wasn't dignified, and if someone found me, that would be a scandal for which Mom would never forgive me. I couldn't bring myself to care.