Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

close to him. His teeth flashed at her.
    "You are beautiful, piccola. More beautiful than I can say. I suppose I cannot blame the young men."
    Nicoletta looked at his hand. His knuckles were scraped, and a spot of blood marred his immaculate shirt. Her eyes widened in horror, and she turned anxiously toward the labyrinth in hopes of seeing Cristano.
    "The boy is fine," Giovanni assured her. "He attempted to insist on his untruth, but I could not allow him to continue misusing your good reputation. He will think about his folly over the next few days."
    "Perhaps I should attend him," Nicoletta said fearfully. "I do not think so, Nicoletta," the don said with a hard note of authority in his voice and a hard cast to his dark features.
    "Maria Pia must see to him, then," she insisted. "The boy would not welcome a woman witnessing his present discomfort."
    "Giovanni, you have deserted your guest," Vincente greeted, ambling across the courtyard with a secret, taunting grin on his face. He had emerged from the far side of the maze, rounding the square-cut bushes to cross the green carpet of grasses. "You seem unable to pull yourself away from your bride, although I must say, I cannot blame you." He looked beyond his older brother, and a welcoming grin broke out on his face. "Antonello! You have returned at such an opportune time. The famiglia gathers to celebrate the wedding!"
    Nicoletta turned with Giovanni to watch Antonello Scarletti emerge from the opposite side of the labyrinth. His clothes were worn and tattered, smudged in places with what looked like blood and dirt.
    He appeared tired, a tall, handsome man, but very much alone.
    Antonello stopped a short distance away, his dark gaze moving over Nicoletta, recognition flaring for a moment in his eyes. Nicoletta suddenly found her bare toes very interesting. Giovanni sighed softly as he looked down at the top of her bent head. Is there any man who has not coveted you?

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    Nicoletta blushed furiously, the color creeping up into her face so fast that she had no hope of stopping it. She glared at the don. Antonello certainly had not coveted her. She and Maria Pia had simply helped him once, and he had helped them in return. Giovanni looked unrepentant. How is it you already know my brother, then? One eyebrow arched in inquiry, a hint of amusement creeping into his smoldering eyes.
    "What wedding?" Antonello asked softly, his voice husky as if from lack of use. "Who is it that is going to be married?"
    "Giovanni," Vincente announced cheerfully, a wide grin on his face as he delivered what was obviously shocking news.
    Antonello froze in place, his entire body stiffening. His dark gaze jumped to his elder brother's face.
    "You are to be wed?"
    Nicoletta felt dark undercurrents swirling around her, ones she couldn't fully understand, but she was afraid she would drown in them. Something dark and ominous, loomed among the brothers, a sinister shadow that clouded every attempt at happiness.
    Giovanni tightened his arm around her, almost protectively. "Nicoletta has consented to be my bride."
    She laughed. She couldn't help it, despite the grimness the three brothers seemed to share. She found the don's choice of words amusing under the circumstances. Her laughter was low and contagious as she looked up at her betrothed. An answering smile softened his hard mouth and dispelled the shadows in his eyes. For a moment they stared at one another, lost in their shared amusement.
    Giovanni looked his brother over carefully. "Are you hurt? Was there trouble?"
    Antonello shrugged carelessly. "Nothing I could not handle."
    "Well," Vincente announced loudly, "the entire family has gathered. We need only Damian to complete the family circle." He bowed slightly toward Nicoletta. "Damian is our cousin and our good friend. We all grew up together."
    She was aware of the sudden change in Giovanni. It was subtle, very subtle, but her body was up against his, and she felt a thread of iron run through him, his blood suddenly surging hotly. Nicoletta looked up at his face. It was an expressionless mask, a faint, humorless smile fixed there. He looked casual, almost lazy, but he was coiled and ready to strike.
    "Have you seen him, Antonello, in your travels?" Vincente continued. "He sent word ahead that he would be arriving a couple of days past. We planned a hunt together. But there is no word from him, and that is