FIERCED 1: A Stepbrother Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

out with her assistant.”
    I could imagine Madam Moviestar going through assistants even faster than younger lovers. And suddenly another truth hit me in the gut.
    “Did Romeo Rocco or whatever his name is go to The Seychelles with you?” I was cringing inside not wanting to hear the response that I already knew in my heart was coming.
    “Someone had to give Monica away. You can hardly expect a woman to walk down the aisle alone.” He turned away and waved to someone across the room.
    I was pretty sure I was going to be a woman who walked down the aisle without a supporter taking her arm. Unless of course there was a photo op involved. That would be the only thing that would lure my dad to the event. And know who I blamed? For some reason Rocco got the majority of my flare of hatred. Perhaps it was because with my mom just recently passed, I couldn't direct my anger at my one remaining parent. What the fuck, the big bully could take it. And I had no doubt it wouldn’t give him a single moment of anxiety. I wasn't even on his radar.
    “Are you invited to the big shindig in Venice?” I'm like a sucker for pain. Now I have to hear that I'm not going along.
    “Obviously, as one of the most important men in Rome and with the most prominent wife. We're all going.”
    “I'm not going,” I announce.
    Done deal. I know I'm being childish but I can't help it. He has his new arm candy and I'm relinquishing my position as perfect press daughter.
    “Yes you are sweetheart. Of course you are. It's our first family appearance.”
    “You can appear with your new family without me because I'm not going anywhere with that bully biker.”
    “Biker? You mean Rocco? Don't be ridiculous.”
    “I'm surprised at you, daddy, wanting him on your docket. He's not exactly respectable.”
    My father's face turned cold in a way that terrified me. I'd never seen him so hard and vindictive.
    “Who are you to judge what or who is respectable?” he snarled. “You have no idea what Romeo is involved with.”
    “I'm not going.” I can feel the petulance trying to prod a reaction from my father and I know it's pointless and infantile but I cannot stop myself.
    “ Yes you are,” he grits through smiling clenched jaws. Oggi Magazine is doing a feature on Monica and I and we require you and your brother for the photo shoot.”
    Brother.
    Stop saying that hideous word. My father narrowed his eyes and raised his hand for silence when I opened my mouth to sass him again.
    “You may choose. Venice or grounded in the compound for a month, no shooting.”
    He got me. To not be able to take a photo for a day would be a disaster, a whole month would have me howling with nothing to live for.
    Then I remember Ryan, the cute blonde new diplomatic envoy. How could I have already forgotten my whispered promise that we'd get together in Venice in a week or so, no matter what? I meant to keep that promise. Perhaps I could make just one more public appearance. Now that daddy has a new companion, he might be too distracted to keep me under security lockdown 24/7.
    I go back to the party and find it's raving now. Bodies writhing and caressing to the music so that if I half-shutter my eyes, I could be attending a new century Roman orgy. I've scored another flute of  bubbly, all the time my eyes a pair of Ryan-seeking missiles.
    But he seems to have vanished. Perhaps another girl got in there first, he's that gorge. I'm standing beside a pillar made to look like a digital hub point or some shit, but at least it's offering camouflage from the fact that I'm alone at a crowded event. Then a solid form pressing his attention into my back makes me shiver. The hot breath on the back of my ear and neck reminds me briefly of someone else.
    “Fuck, I would really love to abduct you,” Ryan's voice is silky and thick with desire. “Although I hope you'd prefer to come willingly.”
    “I would,” I whisper. His chest is pressing hard into me, his thigh against my ass