Most people had lost interest in them now that they’d been introduced as the latest celebrity couple. A few stared unabashedly, though.
“You black sheep bastard. You knew where it was all along,” Darius choked.
“I know where it is now. Shall I tell the auction house you’d like a catalog? So you can purchase what you’ve wanted to get your filthy hands on for so long? Proceeds will go to a charity for pregnant teenagers. A worthy cause you’ll want to support, I’m sure.”
Darius snorted dismissively only to stiffen and make a strangled noise, telling Pia that Angelo had exerted an extra pulse of pressure.
“I’m reporting this to the police,” Darius threatened, voice straining with agony. “Theft. Assault.”
“You go right ahead,” Angelo said, staring with dead eyes into his brother’s. “You tell your story. I’ll tell mine.”
“You’re proving what an animal you are.”
“Keep pushing me, Darius. See what happens.”
Sweat broke in beads on Darius’s upper lip.
“You don’t look well, hermano. Go home,” Angelo advised in a voice that raised the hair on the back of Pia’s neck. “Never let me see you again.”
He released him and Darius staggered away.
Angelo gave his hands a quick wipe on his thighs.
Pia pasted on her most unruffled smile and took his hand, leading him onto the dance floor. It was the last thing she wanted to do. They were both stiff and uncoordinated as he took her in his arms. She felt the clash of his heart battering in his rib cage through the layers of their clothes. Her own heart was falling down a perpetual flight of stairs, but she hid it with a stock expression of serenity.
Concern for Angelo had her scanning his granite features. He was a million miles away, his mind in some dark place that prevented him from finding the beat in the music and dancing as smoothly as he usually did.
When it came to physical contact, she usually let him initiate it. She only ever felt comfortable touching him freel
y when they were in bed, naked and entwined, shields on the floor with their clothes.
She slid light fingers against the side of his neck, though, caressing to get his attention.
“It’s a worthy cause,” she said. “I didn’t know that was what you were doing with the proceeds. I think any mother would be proud of a son who was doing everything he could to right such a wrong done to her. I’m very sorry I will never meet her.”
“Me, too,” he said, drawing her in tighter with a firm touch that crashed her into his taut frame. He was still gripped by rage.
She let her head settle onto his shoulder, wholly unfamiliar with trying to offer comfort, but she ignored the music and the lively people surrounding them. She slipped her arms around his waist and tried to radiate strength and acceptance. Tried to heal him in some small way.
After a few moments, his hold on her changed. His hands moved across her back, settling her more securely against him. The tension gripping him eased. His lips touched her temple.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
She wasn’t sure what she’d done, but she closed her eyes, pleased to have helped him in some small way, hoping with all her heart he was finding the closure he needed.
* * *
For the first time, they didn’t make love when they came home. Granted, it was well past midnight. Pia barely bothered to remove her makeup, while Angelo insisted he needed a shower. She didn’t remember him coming to bed. She fell asleep hard and fast, but they made love in the morning.
He rose so abruptly afterward, however, she was compelled to ask, “Is everything all right?”
“Of course.” He stood there in all his naked glory, the flush of their lovemaking fading on his chest. His abdominal muscles were stacked and tense, though, his jaw shadowed by midnight stubble, his gaze flinty. “Thank you for having my back last night. Every night, lately. I hadn’t realized, but now I do.”
“Of course. That’s what marriage is for.”
“Is it?” His inscrutable gaze didn’t waver from hers, making her self-conscious.
“From what I can tell.” Her shrug nearly caused the sheet to slip. She wasn’t sure why she was hiding behind it, but she felt awfully insecure despite their scorching connection moments ago.