Page 59 of Vow of Desire

That gets a strained chuckle out of the guests. Heat covers my face. I know instantly what Joan is trying to do.

“To a subpar dinner party,” Joan says.

The other guests hesitate. They all understand that what Joan is doing is an insult.

Joan walks right over to me and pours the wine onto my dress. I stand up with a gasp. “Oops. Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” She smirks and sits back down.

“What is the meaning of this?” Matteo asks, getting to his feet. “You don’t get to come into my home where my wife planned this entire party only to insult her.”

The color leaves Joan’s face. Did she really think there wouldn’t be consequences to her actions.

Hearing Matteo defend me fills my heart with warmth.

“You and your husband should leave,” Matteo continues.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Gregory slurs. From his voice, it’s clear he’s already had a little too much to drink. “My wife was invited to this party. Your little wife should respect that.”

“Don’t talk to me about my wife,” Matteo growls.

“Your wife slapped my wife’s best friend. Your wife is a bitch.” Gregory gets to his feet and stumbles over to me. And right before everyone in the room, slaps me across the face.

My father shoots to his feet but before he can do anything, Matteo already has Gregory by the front of his shirt and is shoving him away from me. I clamp my hand over my cheek. It stings.

Aurora and Gabriel look shocked. There’s a fire in Sienna’s eyes I haven’t seen since her father died. None of the guests were expecting this.

I wasn’t expecting this.

But I should have known nothing would go according to plan.

Matteo punches Gregory right in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

“How dare you!” Joan gasps.

“Your husband just hit my wife. That cannot stand. I will not let anyone hurt her. Do you all understand me?”

Every one of the guests nods.

“Leave,” Matteo says to Joan. “Get your husband out of here. Before I kill him.”

Joan blanches and then hurriedly helps Gregory to his feet. They stumble out of the dining room. It’s so quiet in the room that I can hear the front door open and close.

Aurora turns to me. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” I whisper, getting to my feet. Honesty, I remind myself. No more putting on a brave face just… because. “Actually, I’m not ok. I’m in pain. I think it’s best we end the party here.” I rush out of the room and can hear footsteps behind me.

Matteo and my father follow me down the hallway.

“Luciana,” Dad says. “Are you ok?” He tries to touch my face but I jerk back.

“I said the party is over, Dad. Please. Just go.”

“That fucker hit you. I cannot let that stand. I’m sure Gabriel will punish Gregory if I ask him to.”

“Dad,” I sigh. “I love you but give me my space right now.”

My father doesn’t listen and instead, turns to Matteo. “And you. You should have been keeping my daughter safe.”

“Rocco,” Matteo warns.