Page 10 of Devoted

Feeling like a fool. Dante was right. These costumes were stupid.

Right on time, a sleek wooden boat coasted up to the dock, the gleaming sides a rich, mahogany red.

“A Riva,” Luca murmured appreciatively. “You don’t see many of these anymore.”

I had to admit, the craft was a good choice. The engines were powerful, and the low profile sat close to the water, giving our enemies less of a target. Given we were all dressed in designer clothing—all Valeria had available, apparently—the brand made sense.

Gabriel lifted his hand to the pilot, and Nico caught the thrown line.

In the early evening, this far off the main promenade, no one gave us a second look. A small, private motorboat moored along a secondary canal didn’t draw the humans’ attention, but once we drew closer to La Sala, the surveillance would be sharper. Dante stepped off the fondamenta into the boat, then offered me his hand. I reached down, my blond wig slipping slightly forward as I jumped down onto the deck.

“The first thing I’m going to do is rip this thing off,” I told my husband, shoving the nylon strands out of my face. “And how am I supposed to move in this ridiculous outfit? I can’t even fight,” I complained. “Or reach my weapons.”

Everything was too heavy and too loose and too fucking big.

“Well, you do look like a movie star in those sunglasses,” Dante purred, pulling me into his arms. “The most beautiful female in the entire world.”

Well, fine, then.

Some of my irritation ebbed away at the adoration in his voice.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” I rested my palm on his chest. He was in dark jeans and a short-sleeved shirt unbuttoned low enough to be indecent, those tattoos climbing up his throat and down one arm on full display. His shaggy hair was pulled back into a man-bun, and like me, his distinctive blue eyes were covered by dark sunglasses.

That sharpened jawline, though…

A dead giveaway if anyone looked too closely.

“You all know the drill. Everyone find their place, and Nico will take us in.” Gabriel’s voice was tight with nerves as he scanned the open water beyond. Once we were away from the cover of the buildings, there would be plenty of scrutiny, and we all had our parts to play.

“Luca, I want you in the back where you can see the guards clearly.”

My fingernails dug into Dante’s chest, and he caught my wrist, thumb brushing over my racing pulse.

“We’ll be right beside him,” he soothed.

I nodded, unhappy Luca would be completely exposed, but it was crucial my brother had a clear line of sight during our approach. He had to pick out every enemy and read their minds to make sure they saw us as nothing more than a boatful of harmless humans.

“Besides, it’s not like anyone will recognize him,” my husband whispered, lips quirking before he turned away, shoulders shaking.

Indeed. My brother’s hair was shorn away at the temples, spiked high at the top, and like the rest of us, his face half covered by a pair of sunglasses. His black shirt was unbuttoned to his navel, his chest dripping in enough gold to buy this boat.

I look like a douchebag, Luca’s voice echoed inside my head.

No, you don’t. Besides, it’s just a costume. I paused. And your hair will grow back in a couple of… months.

He settled himself on the long seat at the back of the boat, manspreading all the way across, steel-toed cowboy boots flashing. Dante led me to the short bench on the port side, so we’d be facing La Sala as we approached. Hopefully, getting the jump on any attack.

Easy for you to say. Why can’t I wear a wig like yours? Why did Nico have to practically shave me bald?

I glared in Nico’s direction, wrinkling my nose at the shit-eating grin on his face, the same one he’d been wearing ever since he’d gotten the clippers out and told my brother he was an expert at cutting hair. I snorted out loud.

Expert, my ass.

Yes, I’d read him the riot act when I’d walked in and seen all Luca’s dark brown curls on the floor. But what was I supposed to do?

Glue it all back on?

You look handsome. I can see your bone structure now.