Carpathian 10 - Dark Symphony

things to me." Lifting her head, she pulled Antonietta's hand to her hip. "He hit me so hard I fell, and then he kicked me right here."
    Fury welled up out of nowhere. Antonietta shook with it. She didn't know if it was her own anger or if she was so deeply merged with Byron she was feeling his anger. The combination was deadly. "I'd sell the palazzo before I would ever let that horrible man near you. Nonno would feel the same way, as well Franco and Paul. I'd like to do a little violence to Christopher myself."
    She cupped the side of her cousin's face, concentrated on finding the power inside of her.
    Byron, help me. She knew he would help her, that his healing power was great, and combined, they would take away every ache. She felt him moving through her. Gathering strength, reaching for Tasha. Antonietta heard soft chanting, words in a language she didn't recognize, when she knew so many.
    Tasha drew back when the terrible throbbing in her face lessened and nearly vanished.
    She touched her face. "It feels better. Grazie, Toni." She paced across the room, pushing her hand through her hair in agitation. "Christopher can make trouble for us. For Nonno. He said he'd cause a scandal. Our family can't afford any more scandals."
    "Scarlettis were born to be embroiled in scandals. I think we should call your handsome captain and press charges against Christopher Demonesini. Maybe we can have the rat spend a few hours in jail."
    "I just want to forget I ever had anything to do with him."
    "It doesn't surprise me he was abusive. Christopher grew up thinking he was entitled to anything he wanted. I'm sorry he hurt you, Tasha, but truthfully, I'm grateful you broke it off with him."
    "I wish you'd break it off with Byron. I'm not comparing Christopher to Byron, Toni, really, I'm not. But he frightens me in a way Christopher never could. I want you to promise me you'll be careful. Something's not right about him. Why don't we know anything about him?"
    "His family is coming for dinner tonight. His sister, her husband, and their son. We can ask all sorts of questions."
    "Tonight?" Tasha's voice rose. She covered her face with her hands. "How could this happen now, Toni?" She wailed it. "I want to meet his family. I can't very well sit at a table with my face like this. Do you have to have them for dinner tonight? Have them wait a week or two."
    "Tasha, they're visiting the area. You know very well I can't ask them to wait. You always wanted to be in the middle of a drama. We should invite the captain for dinner, too. It's the perfect opportunity. And I need to get dressed. I want to look special tonight. I don't want to ask Justine to help me."
    Tasha caught Antonietta's hand. "Of course I'll help you. But don't invite Diego. I don't want him to see me like this."
    "I haven't told Paul about dinner yet, and I need to talk to Helena. I want to check that everything is perfect."
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    9/13/2007

    Dark Symphony
    Page 121 of 188
    "I'll ring Helena and have her meet us in your rooms. Paul's gone. He left right after Christopher arrived."
    A chill went down Antonietta's spine. Byron? She reached for him, needing the comfort of his presence.
    I am here, cara. I am always with you. Paul is often gone. It does not prove anything one way or the other.
    Antonietta listened to her heartbeat. The fear beating at her subsided. Grazie, Byron. You always manage to say the right thing.
    "We'll have to hurry." Tasha took another look at her face in the mirror. "It doesn't hurt very much anymore, but it sure looks awful. Come on before I change my mind. Let's go find you the perfect outfit."
    Antonietta hurried through the palazzo and up the stairs, Celt at her side and Tasha leading the way. Helena was waiting at her door, doing her best to hide her exasperation with Antonietta's interference.
    "I'm certain everything is fine, signorina."
    "Fine then," Tasha snapped. "She was just checking, Helena. Go do whatever it is you do."
    "That was rude," Antonietta said as the housekeeper hurried away.
    "She was rude. She should know you never fuss. This must be important to you, or you wouldn't be so concerned."
    "I am not fussing."
    Yes you are.
    Antonietta opened her door warily, allowing Celt to go ahead of her. When the borzoi didn't give the alarm, she entered