010: test it on you tonight.

Carter's POV:

"You're overthinking this whole charade, babe."

"My mom is getting married, Niko. My brother will be there, all of my family will be there. Trust me, you don't understand anything that's about to happen in that house."

Niko rolls over, the sheets slipping off his upper half, his crystalline eyes mischievous as they rake over my body. "What is this then? Are you staging an intervention? Do you want to ruin the wedding?"

"Fuck no. My mom's happiness matters to me. Ever since that bastard ruined her—" I cut myself off, my thoughts flitting to the man I once called father. Not that he deserves that title anymore. I'm glad he's gone. "Point is, I'm happy for my mom. I really am."

"Is the problem your brother?"

I turn to him, a small smile playing on my lips. "If we ever break up, I'm putting a kill order on your head. Can't have you roaming around knowing so much about me."

"If we ever break up."

Not that it's happening anytime soon.

"My brother isn't my worry right now. It's Allera."

"I have to say it, your wife is one hell of a woman. Feisty little thing."

I think of Allera, her eyes that hold so many secrets but can never hide how much she loves me. I wonder what she's up to now? She must have found her way to the villa. She's probably having a lazy late morning with my mother, sipping wine and talking about me.

Not that I care.

Come to think of it, I am worried about Devon. The last time we saw each other, he tried to choke me to death. It wouldn't have been such a terrible memory—I did like his hands on my throat—but he did it with the intention of killing me.

I find myself looking forward to seeing him. I wonder if he remembers. I wonder if over the years, he has slowly connected the dots together. He couldn't have, I made absolute of it. Still, I can't help but wonder.

Thinking about it sends shivers down my body.

"You're coming to the wedding, right?" I face him.

He throws himself over the pillows, his hands clasped behind his head. "I don't know. Should I? I'm kinda worried Allera will poison my drink if I show up."

"I'll protect you."

"Ah, how romantic. I'm touched. "

I roll my eyes. "Shut the fuck up. You better be there."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, now that I have your exclusive protection. I'm intrigued by this brother of yours. If he is the catch you say he is."

That statement, delivered in Niko's glib tone, sets off something inside me that I hate. I recognise that feeling, the bitterness that flashes in my mouth, the tightening in my heart, the subtle ring of alarm in the back of my head.

Niko glances at me, his eyes shining with interest.

"Hey. You're mine, is that clear?" I snap, my voice coming out harder than I expected.

He chuckles. "Please, I have no interest getting further entangled in your...family drama. I just want to see him, is all."

"You know what? Go back to New York. Get on the next flight now. I'll pay."

The bastard grins. "Are you jealous?"

"Jealous?"

Against my will, I think of Allera and that picture she sent to me last night. She wanted to make me jealous, it was all over her face. The uncertainty in her eyes, the tremor in her voice, her filthy words spoken with false bravado.

Allera doesn't know it, but when she's lying, her eyes shine. Truly shine, like someone turned on a million fluorescent lights hidden deep inside them. It's a quirk of hers I've always found fascinating.

She's so easy to read.

I know her, in and out. Just as she thinks she knows me.

"Don't flatter yourself." I reply, snatching my phone off the nightstand and heading to the door.

I don't get jealous. I never have, and I'm not about to start now.

***

Dinner is a peaceful affair on the surface.

For one, there's something weird going on between Devon and Alessandro. The last thing I had imagined was Devon having any sort of connection to mom's new husband. Best man? He has outdone himself. I'm surprised he has made a friend.

Alessandro appears pissed, shooting glares at Devon, glares which my brother is oblivious to.

Allera sits beside me, pushing around her food. She's refilled her wine glass three times already. She's planning something stupid, I just know it.

"What's the matter with you two?" Mom speaks up, breaking the tense atmosphere hanging over the dining table. "Allera sweetie, did anything happen?"

Allera looks up, a forced smile on her face. "Why would anything be wrong? I mean, he only left me at the airport to go God knows where."

Mom frowns, glancing briefly at me. Allera isn't done. She turns to me, her eyes hazy, cheeks flushed from the alcohol.

"That reminds me. Where's Niko?"

I sigh. Of all the times to do this. "Allera, please don't piss me off."

"Did you tuck him away in your suitcase? Worried I'll go all crazy wife on him? Come to think of it, I've not seen your pretty lady. You got tired of her already?"

"Baby, what is she talking about?" Mom asks.

Devon whistles. "It's starting."

Alessandro is silent, I feel his inquisitive gaze traveling between I and Allera.

"Niko is my friend." I say to mom. "Allera here doesn't understand the concept of friendship anymore."

She slams her hands on the table, rising to her feet in a silent swish. "Bullshit! Friends?! Who the fuck are you kidding huh?!"

My head hurts. This is not how I planned to spend the first dinner with my mother in a couple of years.

Allera glares at me, her eyes dark, not a single light inside them. That's strange. Why can't I read her eyes now? What is she hiding?

"Why don't you introduce this friend to us?" Devon speaks up, his tone a challenge. "I'm sure mom would love to meet him, wouldn't you, mom?"

"Devon," Alessandro says, in a tone that implies they know something I don't.

"Stay out of this, Mr Moretti. This is a family matter."

"Family matter?! He's a part of this family now, Devon." Mom exclaims.

"The wedding hadn't taken place yet. He's still a stranger. Give it three days."

Allera lets out a bitter laugh. "I'm going to bed."

For goodness sake. Why does she have to make things difficult? I had planned this for later, now I have to push it forward!

I get to my feet and go after her, grabbing her arm before she slips further away. "Allera. Wait."

"What?" She snaps at me. I swear there's steam puffing from her ears.

I have to do this now. Else I'll never hear the end of it, from Devon, from mom.

"I'm sorry, okay? I actually had a pretty good reason for not driving you here."

Her eyes narrow. She's suspicious. Good. It'll be easier to catch her off guard.

"Thing is, I went to pick something up. Something special."

Her eyes darts around the room at our audience. Then she leans in, her voice a low whisper. "What the fuck are you doing right now? Damage control, it's far too late for that. "

"I mean it. Just, hold on, okay?"

She faces me, tapping her foot impatiently. "Fine."

At the foot of my chair is a shopping bag. I'm not entirely lying, I did stop by to pick up the customised jewelry I had ordered. Inside the large shopping bag is three smaller bags. I hand one over to Allera.

"What is this?"

"Open it."

She peers into the bag, taking out the small velvet box inside. The suspicion in her eyes dial down by a notch. "It's a butterfly. Thanks."

"Your favourite insect."

Her eyes meet mine. She doesn't ask, but I feel her questions. How did you remember?

Allera my dear, you have no idea the things I remember.

I turn to mom and Devon. "Got something for you two as well. Mr Moretti, yours will be ready before the wedding."

"I'm all good," Alessandro replies.

"Oh baby, it's beautiful!" Mom gushes, taking out the emerald and diamond set. "It looks so expensive! Thank you, really."

"It's your week, mom. You deserve only the best."

Her smile makes my heart feel warm. One of the things that make life a little easier to stomach is seeing my mother happy.

"Does this gift of yours explode?" Devon asks, looking into his bag.

It takes a lot of self control to hide my grin. "No, it vibrates though."

Devon's brows raise. He takes his gift out, and the dining table goes deathly still. "You gifted me a butt plug?"

Mom gasps in horror. Alessandro's eyes widen, and he chokes on his wine. Allera is silent, too silent.

Devon stares at the discreet packaging, his eyes mildly amused. It makes me frown. Why isn't he losing his shit? Lunging across the table and attacking me? Why is he calm?!

Seeing Devon enraged is an image I can handle. One I'm used too. Seeing him calm...that's scary as fuck.

His eyes meet mine.

My breath hitches. My heart skips a beat, then starts racing. My mouth goes dry, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. I feel like a fucking schoolgirl.

The look in Devon's eyes is predatory. And not the good kind.

He leans forward, eyes gleaming, pointy canines flashing in the soft light of the chandelier. "I've always wanted one of these. How about I test it on you tonight?"