Under Pressure [IAD Agency] (Siren Publishing Classic)

explained, misunderstanding Slade’s question. “She sings opera and covers of other songs that appeal to her, all with a classical twist. She does have an awesome voice.” Turning to Bella, Tara asked, “Have you talked to her recently?”
    “I just got an e-mail from her a few days ago.”
    “You know her?” Slade asked nonchalantly as he now sidled up to Tara’s side. He asked it so casually that no one else noticed, but Bella had witnessed his initial reaction, so he didn’t fool her. Ah, Bella thought, holding back a smile. This could be very interesting.
    “Yep. This is Angel.”
    Sal’s head came up in surprise. “Jesus, this is little Angel? Gio’s Angel? Wow does she have some pipes.”
    Bella saw Slade’s eyes narrow at the mention of Giovanni’s name and struggled to hold back a giggle. Bella noticed Jason watching her and shot him a sparkling smile full of mischief that had his brow raising.
    Tony agreed, smiling. “We saw her a few months ago. When was that, Bells?”
    “Right before I moved back here. She was performing in New York.”
    Tara waved a fork in the air. “I saw her last month when I was stopped over in Paris. I just stopped in to say hi, and she insisted I come see her perform that night. Boy, is she something live. She almost had me in tears. We had dinner after. Gio was there, too. I’m surprised he didn’t mention it to you.”
    Jason had been watching the exchange silently, determined to understand what had put the sparkle of amusement in Bella’s eyes. It wasn’t until he put it together that had his eyes widening in shock. “This is Angelina Cossi? Gio’s sister is the Angelina Cossi?”
    Tony nodded. “You have to admit they do have some talent in that family.”
    Sal leaned on the counter and chuckled. “Man, I think it’s been like ten years since I’ve seen her. She was a pretty little thing, but I remember she was a brat.”
    Bella threw a towel at him. “She’s twenty-three now, and you thought all my friends were brats.”
    “That’s because they were, especially Tara and Liz,” Sal said, playfully pulling on Tara’s hair, earning him an elbow in the stomach. His breath whooshed out.
    Damn woman had put some weight behind it.
    Tony snickered. “You earned that. But trust me, you wouldn’t recognize her now. She sure has grown up and is a freakin’ knockout.”
    “Gio would kill you. You don’t mess with his baby sister. Plus she’s a sweetheart, too good for either of you,” Tara joked.
    “We all have to die sometime.”
    “You’ll get to see her again soon,” Bella said innocently. “After all, she’s singing at our wedding.”
    Slade’s slow smile had Bella turning around to hide her own. She was going to have to remember to introduce them at the wedding, but on the other hand Slade would probably take care of that himself. She cleared her throat. “Would someone set the table please?” And was pleased when they all jumped up to help.
    Getting back to business, she laid the large golden-brown cutlets onto the serving platter, drizzling a light wine sauce over the top, and added a garnish. She pulled the pans of lasagna out of the oven and placed them on the counter to cool. Moving to the side, she quickly poured thick, white, creamy, fragrant sauce over perfectly cooked pasta in another large bowl and mixed it with two large spoons. After cutting the fresh bread she had made earlier, she placed the pieces into a bowl, drizzled garlic-infused olive oil over the top, and stepped back to survey the spread.
    A knock sounded on the door. As if summoned by some silent dinner bell, in walked the twins, both of them trying to look surprised but failing miserably as Jason frowned at them.
    “We’re sorry. We didn’t mean to interrupt dinner,” Adrian offered with a sheepish smile. Neither of them was sorry in the least.
    “Come in, come in. I made enough. Please join us.” Bella laughed at their wide grins. Tara had already warned her that the twins had called earlier trying to beg for an invitation. Bella had learned to cook in mass quantities already and wasn’t bothered at all by the addition to their dinner party.
    The men happily carried the platters of food over to the large wooden table that sat in the dining room. The table was a huge old piece, one of the only things that Jason had kept from his family’s home.
    Bella cracked her neck and stretched.
    Jason came up behind her and rubbed her shoulders after passing her a