Chapter 9

The sun was scorching. As smoke curled up from the grill, Juliana showed up, putting her hips to work.

She was smoking hot in the red little number.

Holding nothing in her hands, Juliana approached and instructed, “Alessia, flip those skewers over before they char. She then barked, “Jesus, Vittoria. Go grab some napkins. My hands are all sweaty.”

Her tone was airy, like a queen born to command.

I held my peace, saying nothing.

Vittoria rolled her eyes and murmured, “Is she here for a picnic or to walk the red carpet?”

I replied indifferently, “There’s no difference to her. She lives for the attention of the men.”

As Juliana took a seat, her neckline dipped, giving more than a peep show.

Several young made men cleared their throats in embarrassment.

Juliana kept a smile on her face. “What are you looking at? It’s a new dress, perfect for the hot weather.”

It didn’t take long before Carlo arrived with his wife.

Cassandra strutted in with an unmistakable presence.

She stood tall, her voice booming. “Well, look at the wonderful spread.”

Meeting my gaze, Cassandra gave me a pat on the shoulder cheerfully.

“You are no doubt the prettiest Donna we’ve seen in ages. Don Colombo is a lucky man.”

I exchanged pleasantries gleefully, not mistaking the disdain fleeting across Juliana’s face from the corner of my eye.

Pursing her lips, Juliana cut in. “Mrs. Tutti, don’t forget to compliment me. Aren’t I the prettiest one here?”

Cassandra simply smiled silently at the bitterness in Juliana’s tone.

Not long after the picnic began, Juliana started messing around with Marco.

“You’re so beautiful today, Juliana,” Marco quipped.

Juliana smacked him with a grin. “I could get used to that. Aren’t you a charmer?”

They went back and forth, the air thick with tension.

I put my focus on the grill while planning my next move.

Caught in a moment, Marco reached out to hold Juliana. “Keep this up, and I might not hold back.”

Juliana’s face fell, and she cried out coyly, “You need to have respect for me. You can’t just hit on me.”

As silence hung heavily in the air, Marco stood there, red-faced.

Juliana turned to Matteo for help. “Let me stay close to you, Matteo. I need some distance from him.”

Without waiting for an answer, Juliana helped herself to a piece of lamb chop from Matteo’s plate.

“This is my favorite. I can’t believe you remember. You’re still obsessed with me, aren’t you?”

She giggled and shot me a smug look.

I looked at her, feeling sick to my stomach.

“Luca, get me a drink,” Juliana uttered with a smile, “You should know what I like.”

Vittoria pulled a grimace.

Luca kept his head buried in his food, not making a peep.

Cassandra was not having it.

“Juliana, what are you doing in front of these ladies? Their husbands are right here.”

I looked up, my voice icy. “She’s just one of the guys. She often sleeps right next to the men during assignments. Her words, not mine.”

Juliana went white. Putting her arms in the air, she explained, “Mrs. Tutti, I’m not that kind of girl. It’s just my personality.”

Cassandra smirked. “Oh? Have you slept in Carlo’s suite too?”

The entire space froze solid.

Vittoria added fuel to the fire. “Oh, that’s just Juliana. She’s so laid back that she can sleep anywhere. Much like a man, she has a thing for low-cut dresses.”

The younger men snickered.

Juliana, her expression turning ashen, glared at Vittoria.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Vittoria shrugged. “I was just quoting you.”

Murmurs filled the air, but no one stepped in to take Juliana’s side.

Cassandra scowled. “So you have? You certainly are easy. The nice way to put it is you lack boundaries, but honestly, you’re shameless.”

Juliana forced a smile. “Aren’t you reading too much into this, Mrs. Tutti?”

Cassandra said curtly, “Here’s a word of advice. Don’t confuse being a tramp with being blunt.”