Scorned Love: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Scorned Fate)
Scorned Love: Chapter 22

“I think you need to check on Xander,” Katie said behind me after I finished a livestream of the backstage bustle. For a show that would last ten minutes, the staging took hours. Fashion influencers, industry professionals from high-end department stores, not to mention our prestigious front-row A-listers, flooded the venue. Seven weeks ago, we’d been struggling to fill those seats.

I spun around to face Donateka’s business manager. “What do you mean? He was fine a few minutes ago.”

Katie gave me that I-have-no-idea shrug and grin, so I dove into the crowd of stage assistants, passing through the hectic makeup and wardrobe area in search of Xander. Bianca spotted me. Her hair was currently being coiffed up by one of the stylists who was clearly flustered by Aunt Carlotta’s and Ava’s hovering. Carlotta particularly. That was why the entire area that should accommodate fifty was bursting with seventy people in it.

“Ladies.” I came to their side and pried them away. “I think it’s time to take your seats. Bianca is in excellent hands.” I looked around for Nico. The floor was teeming with Arrows and he’d been coordinating with the organizer’s event security. “Have you guys seen Xander?”

“He was around earlier,” Ava said. “He appeared a bit nervous.”

A bit might have morphed into full-blown panic.

“You need to get to hair and makeup.” Carlotta eyed my straight hair and unfinished makeup. I already had my foundation on, but I didn’t want to spoil my look before I took to the runway. “I’m easy.” I winked. “Enjoy the show!”

Ava took the hint and grinned at me conspiratorially before dragging Carlotta away. Now where was Xander?

I must have spoken out loud, because Tracy stepped in front of me and said, “Xander went to the staging area.”

Tracy was leading the collection along with twenty-five other models. She, our plus-size model Serena, and the CENs had two wardrobe changes. Big hair was back and she looked magnificent with her deep mahogany waves and golden highlights. I squeezed her hand as I walked by. “You look stunning.”

“Hurry back,” the head stylist called after me. “You’re next and we’re running behind.”

I waved him off. I wasn’t as important as Xander. Tonight was his night, and I was merely his sidekick. I wandered down a dimly lit hallway and found my cousin leaning against the racks used to transport the collection.

“Hey, cuz,” I said. “The party is over there.”

He was hunched over and seemed to be gasping for breath. Had he been crying? I approached him in cautious strides. “Are you okay?”

He swiped his eyes and cleared his throat. “You should go get ready.”

“Not without you out there. What. Is. Wrong?”

“Dad.” He exhaled a ragged breath. “He sent me a text.”

Oh, no. My stomach dropped at the same time fury heated my face because if I knew Uncle Jimmy, it was nothing good.

“He said no matter what I do, no matter how successful this show is going to be, he will never be proud of me.”

That fucking son of a bitch. That fucking piece of scum. I was so angry, my vision blurred. My chest rose and fell in an effort to form words. Words my cousin needed to hear, so I pushed through the tightness squeezing my lungs and strangling my throat, and untangled the words I was angling to say. “He’s pissed because Daniel blocked his takeover bid.” My brother flew in this morning and was sitting with the De Luccis. It could be awkward for him, but he didn’t want it more awkward by sitting somewhere else. “You know that, right? He’s lashing out where he thinks he still has power.” Finally, I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Don’t give him the power, Xander. I know you don’t want me speaking ill of Uncle Jimmy, but can we just agree that your father is a fucking piece of shit?” I didn’t even attempt to disguise the venom in my tone. “And honestly, Xander? You deserve a better father.”

“I have you.” He hugged me and I hugged him back.

“Always.”

I didn’t know how long we stood there. I evacuated all the anxiety rattling inside me and focused on giving Xander that lifeline he needed. He didn’t have an older brother like I had in Daniel, or a best friend he could depend on like Sera. That was why I loved how supportive the De Luccis were to us. Welcoming Xander and me into their family. And then there was Nico…

“Guys.” It was Katie. “I hate to intrude but I’ll be having a breakdown in the prep area if both of you don’t show your faces on the floor. The models need your pep talk, Xander, and, you…” She pointed at me. “Makeup and hair now.”

“Yes, ma’am,” we both answered in unison.

What happened next was a tornado of last-minute preps. While two stylists gave me a blowout, the master makeup artist applied the final touches to my look. One assistant handed him brushes and implements like he was a surgeon in an operating theater, while another blotted any imperfections that might have ensued in the rush.

The rush must have overwhelmed me because when it was time to walk the runway, I froze.

I was up after Tracy’s final wardrobe change. She strutted off, and I was stuck. The bright lights hit my face, and my heels felt like they were submerged in quicksand. The outfit that I’d worn and strutted around in countless times tightened around me like a straightjacket. Techno-pop music faded in and out and all I could hear was my breathing, or was it my pulse? Tracy, the model I was to follow, was like a lifesaving buoy that seemed too far away.

“Move,” Xander yelled. “You can do it, Ivy.”

The U-shaped runway was surrounded by a series of Roman columns and arches. Crimson, white, and gold flowers wound around those arches and hung from the top. A figure was leaning against the column closest to me.

It was Nico. He had his arms and ankles crossed. He looked relaxed, and he had a huge smile on his face. His eyes were at the same time heated and proud. He mouthed, You can do it.

It might have been microseconds, but it was an eternity in my head. I took a deep breath, lifted one foot forward and then the other, and just like a habit, I picked up pace, and strutted forward, just like the times when Sera and I used to play models and be our silly selves. I glided on the runway, eyes straight ahead. My outfit was as regal as a fairy queen, so Xander advised me to keep my face neutral. Not sullen like other models do it, but sometimes it was what the designer wanted to project for the collection. I never understood that until I worked closely with Xander.

I was at the last exit. And the whole group of models started making the final walk.

When I got back behind the stage, three assistants fluffed me up for the group walk.

Tracy, Serena, and I brought up the rear. Uproarious applause escalated to thundering levels when Xander joined us. He picked up my hand and together we split from the group and made the few steps to the center of the U runway to make the final bow. This time, I allowed a smile to grace my lips.

No disaster, no broken heels, no stumbles.

The night was a roaring success, and I couldn’t wait to celebrate the rest of the evening with my man.

Nico

My princess was stunning.

She was also frozen.

I prepared for that. My girl was tough, but she had her insecurities. And I was ashamed that in my goal of getting past my hang-ups and protecting my sister, I’d become one of her bullies. As I’d gotten to know her better in the past few weeks, I was proud of what she had accomplished. I would do everything in my power to support her.

So here I was, giving her an encouraging smile. She looked at me and I felt rather than saw that moment she regained her confidence.

When she took that step forward, I had taken my own.

I had fallen in love with her.

Deeply.

Irrevocably.

Even as I encouraged her to sweep through the runway, I wanted to rip out the eyes of every man in here who saw her the way I did. I wanted to hide her away, especially from Edward Sinclair’s covetous eyes. He was sitting beside the editors of his magazine. He was in prime seating, and although it pissed me off that he was here, all I could do was grit my teeth. The night belonged to Xander and Ivy.

I made my way back to my seat and dropped beside Sera. Ivy had made it to the opposite side of the U where a couple of Arrows stood guard. No way was I risking her security.

“Aw, that is so sweet,” Sera whispered it in my ear. “I posted it on Ivy’s Pixygram.”

I gave her a long look.

“What? She gave me access. I’ve always had access. You two should open your own blended-name account since you’re appearing so much on her feed now.”

My mouth twitched. My eyes watched her exit the runway. In the four weeks leading up to fashion week, Ivy took so many videos and pictures of us. The Nicovy fandom exploded and everyone kept asking about our daily existence. I had an onslaught of follower requests. I accepted none. My sole purpose on social media was Ivy.

“No need. I only follow two people.” Bianca and Ivy.

“You know that’s creepy.”

Carlotta leaned forward and shushed Sera.

I breathed a silent laugh.

My phone buzzed.

Dammit, Bianca.

But Sandro Rossi was Switzerland between the Rossis and De Luccis, or he appeared to be. As someone who’d been accused of being responsible for the death of his half brother and his family’s former boss, he had many enemies within his organization. Problem was, he also had loyal supporters inside and out of it. He was in a dicey position, and that was why we didn’t want him around Bianca.

Cheering and clapping started when the models reentered the runway for their final walk.

Bianca came into view, and yeah, I was proud of my sister. Our group stood up. Mom and Aunt Carlotta cheered while she swept by and the rest of us followed suit. I didn’t want to think of my baby sister as the object of affection of a legendary assassin, but here we were. I also wondered if Bianca joined the fashion show to prove a point.

But whatever.

I glanced over at Mom and Dad. They were so proud and all smiles, and that was all that mattered.

For now.

Ivy brought up the rear with Tracy and Serena. The roar of the crowd became deafening. A celebration of race and size diversity.

I was fucking proud of her and I understood why she needed to get the attention of the Glamourique team.

After Xander and Ivy did their bow, I led the charge of the De Luccis who were going into the backstage. We may not be in prime seating position at the center, but we had the fastest access to the area. I waved at the Arrow checking who to let in.

“Nico!”

Ivy crashed into me. I scooped her up and gave her a thorough kiss. When I let her go, I handed her the bouquet I had for her.

We had more than our share of family backstage for sure, but who would argue when the De Luccis practically adopted Xander, Ivy was my girlfriend, and Sera was her best friend. But especially since Bianca was in the show too.

“Mei,” Daniel said behind me. “Am I not your favorite person anymore?”

I reluctantly relinquished the woman in my arms. Ivy dove into Daniel. Her brother was surprised by the hug. And his arms were suspended, hands hovering over her shoulders, not sure what to do. They were not touchy-feely, but he eventually hugged her back.

We Italians must be rubbing off on them.

Congratulations, backslaps, and handshakes were exchanged with Xander and the crew. When there was a semblance of order in the chaos, I ended up with my best girls in my arms. Ivy on my right, and Bianca on my left.

Sera took a picture of us. She probably posted it on Ivy’s socials. Bianca untangled herself from me to chat with Sera and Matteo.

Ivy’s face was flushed, her eyes bright with triumph. She was breathtaking, utterly stunning in a way that made my chest clench with emotion. In a way, I wished I could bottle up all these feelings and get drunk on them repeatedly.

“Oh my God, that was so crazy!” she gushed.

“You nailed it, baby. You and Xander.”

“Are you kidding? The work is only beginning. Well, if we have buyers.”

“You’ll have plenty.” I saw many attendees taking notes.

I spotted the Glamourique editor and her entourage enter the area. Edward followed them and while Marie Pierre went directly to Xander, Edward headed toward us.

He and I locked eyes. We hadn’t had a face-to-face since he heard me and Ivy have sex. It pissed me off when his cold eyes warmed up right before he enveloped Ivy in a familiar embrace.

“You were magnificent out there, sweetheart.” He kissed her on the side of her mouth. Actually, if Ivy hadn’t averted her face, it would have caught her on the lips.

My fists clenched. Forget about just ripping his arms out of their sockets. I wanted to rip his head off, too.

“She is magnificent.” I eased Ivy back into my arms. Edward and I had another silent cockfight over her head.

“Thanks for your support,” Ivy said.

“I’m always here for you.”

Her body had stiffened against mine. I knew she was trying to keep the peace, but I wasn’t self-centered or egotistical enough to ruin her night, even if my default reaction to Edward was to mangle his face.

“I’m hosting an after-party at my apartment.” He enunciated an address on Fifth Avenue. “It’s right in front of the MET.” As if I didn’t know, I had a file on him and his ninety-million-dollar apartment.

“Xander and I had a couple of invitations…” Ivy started to say.

“You don’t want to miss this.” He leaned in as if in confidence. “I have it on good authority that the fashion buyers of three major luxury department stores will be there. Think about it, sweetheart. Now let me go congratulate the man of the hour.”

He and Marie Pierre switched places and the usually stoic fashion editor had a warm smile for Ivy. “Amazing show.” She squeezed Ivy’s hand. “You’ll have to come to Edward’s soiree. Everyone will be there.” She glanced at me briefly and I struggled to decipher what the look in her eyes was communicating. Like I was the barrier to Ivy going.

“She’ll be there,” I said.

“Good.”

Then, as quickly as she swept in, she left with her entourage. Edward dawdled a while longer, casting Ivy surreptitious glances before exiting. And even if she had resumed chatting with Sera, with my arms around her, I noticed the change in her body language.

When Edward left, she turned in my arms and linked her own around my neck. “We don’t have to go to any after-parties.”

“What?” Sera exclaimed. “Are you kidding me? I’m soooo interested in Edward Sinclair’s apartment. Matteo said it was more expensive and grander than ours.” Sera and Matteo just bought a place on Fifth Avenue.

“What was that, baby?” My brother hooked his wife around the neck and turned her to face him.

“They don’t want to go to any after-parties.” She pouted.

Matteo raised a brow at me.

Ivy hadn’t opened up about Edward to anyone, even Sera.

I cupped Ivy’s cheek. “I’ll go wherever you want to go. This night is about you.”

“Aw, now that’s settled, let’s plan our stops.” Sera dragged Ivy away to go see Xander.

“It’s getting hard to juggle what my wife does and doesn’t know,” Matteo informed me.

“Ivy will tell her about Edward when she’s ready.”

My brother didn’t know the whole sordid story. Only that Edward and Ivy had a past.

“As far as she knows, I don’t know a thing,” he muttered. “I don’t want to be back in the doghouse again in less than a year.”

I gave him a bro hug. “Appreciate your silence.”

Ivy caught my eyes from across the room and mouthed Thank you.

Damn this woman. She made my chest full. It was her night, yet she was still concerned about how I felt. And that was why I had dated women who were self-absorbed, so I knew they didn’t give a shit about me, and I had no reason to develop deeper feelings.

Ivy had knocked down all my walls with all my vulnerabilities laid bare.

Did I give a fuck? No. Because I was vulnerable only for her.

It was ten when we arrived at Sinclair’s apartment. After the first after-party, my parents, Carlotta, and Paulie went home. Even Daniel begged off going to a second one, citing jet lag. I was glad he made it, though. I knew there was a lot on his plate with his uncle’s attempted takeover, but he would be devastated if he missed this monumental occasion for Donateka.

A picture of Xander flanked by Ivy and Daniel was already up on her personal and Donateka’s socials—a big fuck-you to Xander’s father. The socials were also buzzing with calls for Xander to be featured on the cover of Glamourique Hong Kong.

Sinclair’s apartment was packed with impeccably suited and well-heeled guests. The overflow of the crowd already reached the vestibule, where the walls bleached in a luxurious monotone matching the black-and-white tiled flooring, spoke of old money. A sweeping staircase led to the second floor. A man in a dark suit with comms in his ear stood near the elevator. I recognized him as one of Sinclair’s security. With several of them scattered around the apartment, one would think Sinclair was the president.

Xander and Katie already zeroed in on their targets for the evening. Buyers of luxury-brand department stores in New York City. Matteo and I stayed with Ivy as she mingled with other guests. I listened, I answered when asked a question, but I never called attention to myself.

I observed.

I massaged Ivy’s shoulders when she was feeling droopy and made sure she was hydrated when she sounded parched. I also dutifully told her if there was food stuck between her teeth. She laughed, cute as hell, when I mentioned it. After all, I didn’t want to be blamed for a social media faux pax. The livestreams she did made me gnash my teeth, but I loved her all the more for the confidence she inspired in people around her orbit. She had her own insecurities, but she uplifted others and Xander told me what Ivy did for him before the show.

She wasn’t only my fairy warrior princess, she was more like an angel.

She certainly made me less broody, made me believe I could love and trust someone again. I’d scorned love for the longest time, and now I was diving straight into it along with the admission that I was obsessed. Hell, if the number of times I’d been on Ivy’s Pixygram weren’t proof enough of how far gone I was for my girl, then nothing would. The guys wouldn’t stop giving me shit about it, especially Dom and Trevor. They said I was pussy-whipped. I did not deny it.

“Here, take a sip.” Bianca gave Ivy a drink.

“Is there alcohol in that?” I clipped.

My sister rolled her eyes. “Relax, it’s shandy.”

“That’s really good,” Ivy said. “I barely tasted the alcohol, just the passion fruit.” She glanced up at me. “Can you get me one?”

“It’s that bar over there.” Bianca pointed. “That’s where the fancy fruity stuff is at.”

“Got it.” I weaved through the crush of Manhattanites, moving easily, most of them giving way when they saw me coming. It was a reaction Matteo and I were used to and used to our advantage when mingling with high-powered echelons of society. It was easy to spot the social climbers and new money. They tend to favor brands with logos announcing their newfound wealth.

I reached the bar and turned to keep an eye on Ivy. Even when Matteo was with them, I couldn’t help but keep my guard up. But I needn’t have worried. The man I was trying to keep her walled from was heading my way.

“De Lucci.”

“Sinclair. Great party.”

He smiled tightly. “Looks like Ivy is having a good time.”

“She is. Thank you for helping her out.”

The bartender handed me Ivy’s drink, and as far as I was concerned, our conversation was over, but apparently, not for him. He grabbed my elbow.

I stared at where his fingers were gripping my arm. “Do you mind?”

“I’ll get to the point,” he gritted, getting into my face but dropping the vise on my arm.

I arched a brow. “Be my guest.”

“You are not what Ivy needs.” He enunciated each word and each syllable hammered against my skull.

“If you mean she doesn’t deserve to look happy, then you need to have your head examined.”

“She’s merely infatuated with you.”

“Maybe. But I’m the one she claimed in public.”

“Why is that, De Lucci? You don’t have any social media presence. Why attach yourself to someone like Ivy?”

“I don’t need to explain my feelings to you, and you know what? You think just because Ivy can’t tell me what happened between you two because of the NDA, I’m stupid and couldn’t infer the rest? I only have to dig into your divorce and find out.”

“Those were rumors.”

“When there’s smoke…Ivy couldn’t tell me. You can be sure any information I find out won’t be coming from her. But judging from the timeline of when she ran away to Hong Kong, it can only be because of you. You, a man twenty years older than her, manipulated her, abused her, probably brainwashed her to satisfy your sadistic tendencies.”

“I’ll sue you for slander,” he hissed.

“Really? You think Ivy won’t come to my defense? The law can throw out the NDA. She was nineteen, and you were thirty-nine. Tell me if a judge wouldn’t hang you by your nut sack if she details what’s in it. No matter how powerful your media company is, I’ll make sure that secret will come to light. I’m sure Daddy Sinclair would love that, huh?” I leaned in. “Don’t forget, we know people too, and the people we know are used to playing dirty.”

Sinclair’s jaw clenched hard, his nostrils flared, and his eyes had gone steely cold.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, my girlfriend’s waiting for her drink.”

Ivy and Matteo had their eyes on me, and I presumed they’d witness my confrontation with Sinclair. Meanwhile, Sera and Bianca were in an animated discussion and remained oblivious. When I reached their side, Ivy immediately pulled me aside. She tasted her drink and pretended to look around the room while saying, “What did Edward say to you?”

“That I’m not good for you.”

“The nerve.” She took another sip. “We shouldn’t have come.”

Instead of agreeing with her, I asked who Xander and Katie were talking to. “That’s the buyer from a Rodeo Drive store.”

“Fancy,” I drawled.

“Nico, I’m so sorry my past is affecting you,” she groaned. “You must be sick and tired of my drama.”

Ah, my dear princess, always worrying about someone else. I stroked an imaginary swath of hair from her face. I did this several times. It soothed me when I touched her face. Finally, I cupped her chin and tipped it up for a brief kiss. “You’re forgetting that you’re dealing with mine too.”

“The Rossis? I started it.”

“They’re just finding an excuse to stick it to me.”

“Then we’ll stick them back.” She drank more of the shandy as if it gave her fortitude. “This drink is yummy.”

“You should post about it.”

She giggled. “I’ll turn you into a social media sensation yet.”

“Heaven help us.”

She raised her phone and held up the martini glass and did the cute duck face I adored. I gave my broodiest look over her shoulder.

Snap.

She captioned and posted.

And her followers approved.