Gina’s face turned sour. “At least you’re not marrying her. You could spring a million engagements on me and I’d forgive you, as long as it wasn’t Caprice.”

“She never recovered after I wounded her pride and ended it two years ago,” Leo said. “I think landing me again is still on her agenda.”

His mother frowned. “Over my dead body.”

“I thought you’d feel that way. Try to make friends with Faith. I don’t want her to feel like she doesn’t have an ally here. This is a bit overwhelming for her. We both know how Caprice can be, and I can’t run interference all the time.” It hadn’t occurred to Leo how out of her element Faith would be, even if their engagement were real. With no family and few friends, she wasn’t used to so many people. Add to that all the days she’d been isolated in his house, and flinging forty people at her at once was sounding less than brilliant.

“Leave it to me. That bitch doesn’t have a prayer. She’s way too aggressive for you. When I saw the way Faith clung to you, I knew she was the right one. You always were drawn to the softer types. Not the tough-talking Brooklyn girls like Caprice.”

“Thanks, Ma. I knew you’d understand.” He kissed her on the cheek and went back to get Faith, promising himself he wouldn’t leave her alone to deal with his family again.

* * *

As soon as Faith excused herself from Vinny and Caprice, she made her way to the smaller kitchen. It sat tucked away to one side of the house, far from everyone else. She poured a glass of tea from the refrigerator. The cool liquid was soothing as it went down. She tried to breathe and stared out the window at the setting sun and the herb garden.

It was too many people. Her fears had gone from Leo killing her or hurting her for messing up, to the blind terror of being surrounded by so many people—most of them criminals. A throat cleared behind her and she jumped and dropped the glass in the sink, causing it to shatter.

Faith spun around, at first thinking it was Leo, but the man’s eyes were dead, and he didn’t have a scar. Angelo. It was impossible to explain how Angelo could look more frightening when he was so perfect, and Leo could seem safer with the wicked scar slicing down his cheek. She gripped one of the larger glass shards, ignoring the pain as the jagged edge bit into her palm. She’d give Angelo a scar to match his brother’s if he forced her hand.

His arms were crossed over his chest as he leaned against the door frame. “Tell me why you aren’t being an obedient whore for my brother. If it’s lack of instruction, I know guys in prison who could teach you a thing or two about sucking cock.” His voice was lethal, and she was reminded of how scary Angelo could be. In the time she’d been with Leo, she’d been scared and uncertain, which had caused her to forget how much her situation had improved. Now the reminder was large and looming in front of her.