Merger by Chelle Bliss

Author:Chelle Bliss [Bliss, Chelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bliss Ink LLC
Published: 2017-11-28T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

ANTONIO

I can barely breathe as Lauren descends the grand staircase in the foyer of my sister’s house just before the guests arrive. The black dress I had hand-delivered from Versace this afternoon looks like it was made for her. The silk hugs her body, draping into a pool near her feet. Her hand glides down the railing as she takes the steps slowly and keeps her eyes on me without breaking contact.

“You’re one lucky bastard,” Stefano says at my side.

“I know,” I tell him as she reaches the bottom of the stairs, and I step away from him.

She places her hand in mine and smiles. “This dress is beautiful.”

“The dress is only beautiful because of how you wear it.”

She can make anything look spectacular. Even when she wears my oversized dress shirts, she could stop traffic with her beauty.

“Would you like a drink?” I ask, ushering her toward the dining room just as the first guests arrive.

“Please.” She dips her head in a small curtsy.

“The event is formal, but I most certainly am not. This night is to celebrate my mother, but I assure you there will be more fun than seriousness.”

When we enter the dining room, Enzo and Catarina are already standing near the bar, pouring drinks.

“What can I get you two?” Enzo asks.

“Dirty martini for Lauren, and I’ll take whatever you’re having.”

“Whiskey?”

“Works for me.”

Catarina walks toward Lauren, eyeing her dress. “God, that dress is a showstopper.” She grabs Lauren’s arms and helps her spin around. “Gucci?”

“Versace.” Lauren laughs, twirling around again like a princess.

“Aren’t his dresses divine?”

“The best. Yours is so beautiful too.”

Catarina touches the bodice of her pearl-beaded gown and sighs. “It’s beautiful, but breathing in it is almost impossible.”

“Where are Vi and Flavia?” Stefano asks as he joins us.

“Still getting ready,” I tell him as I reach for the glass of whiskey Enzo has poured.

My sisters, all three of them, have always been high-maintenance. Not one of them can get ready in a hurry. They spend hours painting on their faces with gobs of too much makeup and even more time doing their hair. I could never be a woman. So much of their lives are wasted. Lauren is the direct opposite of my sisters. She makes looking beautiful seem effortless.

“Those two are impossible,” he mumbles and grabs a glass and the Cognac, pouring himself a glass.

“Will Marcus be here?” Stefano asks Catarina.

“He’s away on business. He couldn’t get out of it even though he tried.”

Marcus, Catarina’s husband, is an architect at one of the biggest firms in Italy. He’s been working on a project in Dubai for nearly a year, and once it’s complete, the building will be the tallest in the world.

Although Marcus wasn’t my first choice to be my sister’s husband, he’s always treated her with kindness and respect. He could’ve sat on his ass, using her trust fund instead of working to make a name for himself in his line of work.

“Is the project almost done?” Stefano asks.

“What does he do?” Lauren asks quietly at my side as Catarina answers Stefano’s question.

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