Chapter 33: Chapter 33

I sighed in frustration as the call went straight to voicemail.

Stefano glanced over at me. “She’s still not answering?”

I glared at the device as if Selena was in front of me and imagined throttling her. “No. It’s been a whole week! The semester is about to end, and she’s gone MIA.”

Worry twisted my gut as a barrage of scenarios flitted through my mind.

Did something happen to her? Did someone from an enemy family find her? Was she hurt? In the hospital? The morgue?

This was the longest we’d gone without speaking in a while, and I was not taking it well.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Stefano said. “Text her. She’ll get back to you when she can. We’re here.” He nodded out the window as we pulled in front of his parents’ house.

I took a deep breath to collect myself and quickly sent Selena a text to call me as soon as possible.

When the car stopped, Stefano got out and came around to open my door. Taking his hand, I stepped out and smoothed the creases in my skirt.

This was the first time I was attending a family dinner. Despite meeting his parents before, I was a bit anxious. I had no idea what they thought of me.

I was just the girl their son fancied and brought into the games. They had no choice but to welcome me, but it didn’t mean they liked me.

I wanted to use this opportunity to boost their opinion of me, as well as demonstrate my value to the family. And if I was lucky, I might even learn something useful from them.

Their home was much larger than Stefano’s, and there was even a servant waiting at the door as we walked up the stairs.

My leg was fully healed, but my movement was still a bit stiff. I’d only recently removed the brace I’d worn for the past few weeks.

Stefano led us to the dining room, and I took in as much as I could. The home was beautifully decorated with large pieces of art on the walls and rugs that looked like they came straight from ancient Persia.

The second we walked in, Christina smiled and stood from her seat.

“Catalina! My, your name always rolls off my tongue so effortlessly,” she joked as she quickly came to my side.

Like before, she had no qualms with invading my personal space. She placed a kiss on each of my cheeks.

“Hi, Christina. It’s been a while,” I greeted with a cordial smile.

“It has, it has. Come, sit. Your performance has made me very proud, my dear. You should visit me from time to time. I’d love to share my experiences.”

“I’d love that,” I replied, quickly jumping at the opportunity.

Christina portrayed a friendly outward demeanor, but I’d heard stories from Sam and Rob. She was one of the most tactically skilled women in the family. If I could get close to her, it could improve my chances in the games.

Stefano and I quickly found our seats, and my eyes landed on the woman opposite me.

She was a mix of Christina and Xavier—long black hair coiffed in a low bun and ocean-blue eyes that sparkled. Her teardrop pearl earrings swayed as she placed her chin in her palm, seemingly uninterested.

She was beautiful, and from what Stefano had told me, she was a model and had just returned from a photo shoot in France. This dinner was her welcome home party.

I smiled and offered my hand across the table. “Camille, right? Nice to meet you. I love your earrings.”

“Thanks. I’ve seen your results so far. They’re good. I wish someone would let me participate.” She shot a hot glance at her father.

Xavier looked up from his tablet. “There’s no need for you to participate.”

Camille sighed. “It’s fun.”

“Only you would think that,” he mumbled. Then he said something in Italian before turning to look at me. “Signora Catalina, it’s been a while.”

I did a little wave. “Good evening, Mr. Roscotto. How are you?”

“I’ve seen better days. How’s your leg?”

“It’s seen better days.”

He smiled and nodded. “Good. Keep up the good work.”

“I will.” I said it with a surety that I was just beginning to find in myself.

The last game was tough, but I’d survived that, and I would survive the rest.

“Where’s Alex?” Stefano asked, glancing at the empty chairs.

Xavier frowned. “He hasn’t arrived yet.”

Stefano sighed, and I could see the disappointment in his eyes. I reached my hand under the table and linked our fingers. He gave my hand a tight squeeze.

“Let’s start without him,” Christina said as she gestured for the maids to begin serving the food.

“Oh, Dad, I’m going out tonight,” Camille told her father.

“With your bodyguards?”

She rolled her eyes. “Do I have a choice?”

He didn’t reply, but his face didn’t hide his amusement.

Stefano’s eyes narrowed on his sister. “Where are you going?”

“None of your business.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And if I get a call from Anton tonight?”

Camille stiffened as she glared at her brother. “I’m not a child. Is he going to run to you every time I’m near him?”

Her voice sounded frustrated.

Stefano’s disapproval sliced through the air. “Give up on him. It’s embarrassing to see you chase a man who doesn’t want you.”

“Don’t tell me what to do!” she snapped. “Why would he ignore me if not because of you?”

I blinked in surprise. Camille had a crush on Anton?

“Anton has his reasons,” Stefano said.

She snorted. “Yeah. You guys are the best of friends. You must have warned him away from me.”

“I did not—”

“Whatever. I’m done talking to you.” She took up her glass of wine and sipped it.

Stefano sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. It seemed that both of his siblings were a handful to deal with.

I sympathized with him. Selena had been a handful when she’d started dating. I’d almost blown my top when she’d refused to believe that her first boyfriend was cheating on her. Jalen had clued me in, but Selena had been a stubborn teen and thought she was in love.

She’d eventually learned on her own, but there were a few tense years between us.

Christina consoled her daughter gently. “Calm down, Camy. Anton isn’t ready to settle down. He’s not right for you. I’ll help you find some suitable men to get over this crush.”

“It’s not just a crush,” she refuted, then sighed. “Let’s just eat.”

We all picked up our cutlery and started eating. I looked up and saw Camille staring at me curiously.

“So, Cat, how’s life with my brother?”

I was surprised that she used my nickname, but I wasn’t against it. I needed Stefano’s family to like me, and this showed that she was willing to get to know me better. Just like I wanted.

I mulled over my answer. “It’s been eventful.”

She shot a glare his way. “I can imagine. I’m not his wife, yet I already want to get rid of him.”

I chuckled. Clearly, she was still angry at him. I couldn’t blame her. His words had been a bit harsh.

“He can be a bit insensitive at times; I can’t deny that.”

She visibly relaxed at my words and nodded in agreement.

Stefano leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Bashing me to earn brownie points with my sister?”

I shrugged helplessly, a smile playing on my lips. “A girl’s gotta eat.”

He chuckled and sat back up, but he didn’t stop Camille and me from making jabs at him. After a bit of conversation, Camille seemed to have gained a liking for me. She was more talkative than her mother, which I didn’t think was possible.

She told me a few stories about herself. Growing up, she’d found it stifling at times living with her controlling father and two overprotective brothers. She’d had to find ways to slip under their radar. Her first success was when she’d turned eighteen.

“Anton was visiting, and I slipped into his car as he left and got out at his club.” She relived the moment with a proud smile.

Xavier chuckled. “Good job, principessa.”

“Who are we praising?”

Alessandro finally made his entrance, with Genevieve and Rena following behind him. I met Rena’s eyes and nodded, to which she smiled in greeting. Seeing our brief exchange, Genevieve frowned, obviously displeased.

They took their seats at the table, and Genevieve instantly greeted Christina and Xavier with a bright smile.

“You’re late,” Stefano said to his brother.

“I’m here,” Alessandro retorted. His eyes were red, and I could tell he was out of it.

Genevieve seemed embarrassed as she apologized on his behalf. “Sorry we’re late. Alex had a prior engagement.”

Christina waved a dismissive hand and glanced at her second son indifferently. “It’s fine. How are you girls?”

Rena opened her mouth to reply, but Genevieve quickly intercepted. “We’re fine. Thank you for caring.”

Rena closed her mouth and remained silent. We shared a glance, wordlessly commiserating over what she had to deal with.

“So, Catalina, how do you feel now that there’s a large target on your back? You killed someone important, you know.” Alex stared at me, seemingly gloating in my misfortune.

Stefano’s hand tightened around mine as he replied to his brother. “She was anything but important.”

“Her father may not think so,” Alex replied.

“She knew the risks when she chose to join these games,” Stefano clipped. “She also broke the rules and was punished. If he has a problem with that, he can come to me.”

I looked at Stefano, my heart going a million miles a minute at his blatant protection of me. Would I ever have to worry about my safety, knowing he had my back?

Alex’s smile grew wider. “Cat must be important to you if you’re willing to offend the captain of the Reaper Corps. How interesting.”

Stefano narrowed his eyes. “If you do anything out of line, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet through you.”

Alex laughed. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

I stiffened. ~What?~

“Enough.” Xavier’s voice sliced through the rising tension in the room. He glanced at his sons with a frown.

“Let’s move on to more important matters. Ladies,”—he turned to address us—“have you figured out the pattern of the games?”

My thoughts froze at his words.

~The pattern?~