page22 (2/2)

“All four of us have treated the world and the woround for years, true,” Rocco said, cutting straight to the point, “but I always thought there was still a bit of honor left in all of us First Christian with Lessie, and now you and Clio Dio, didn’t you find anyone else to play with other than our oldest friend, Stefan?”

Stefan had had every intention of telling his friends the utter truth But now, his friend’s well- interference locked the words in his throat Even as the short clip eeping the internet like wildfire for all the world to see, to actually dissect their kiss with Rocco, to reveal Clio’s confidence and their deal, felt too private

Too intimate to be shared

Which in itself should have rung all his internal alar

He ran the heel of his pal for a casual tone One kiss and it was like Mount Etna had erupted

“I’ with her”

“No? In a decade, I have not seen you ful connection with another person,for her Damn it, you cannot play with and then discard Clio like you—”

“Enough, Rocco,” he said through gritted teeth

Leashing his temper by the skin of his teeth, because no way did he want to betray how much that kiss had affected him, Stefan smiled at Rocco “Just because you have settled into marital bliss with Olivia doesn’t e colors already, fratello Clioshe is safe from me”

Grinning, Rocco clapped hiain, Stefan wondered at hoell love and Olivia suited Rocco

He had never seen his friend so happy and at peace

“You know I had to—”

“Not needed, Rocco,” Stefan said

Rocco looked at hi oodbye

Pouring himself a drink, Stefan went to the balcony

Olivia and Clio were seated at the outdoor café on the ground floor

Instantly Stefan shifted to see Clio better She wasn’t laughing like Olivia but a s loosened in his chest

He was glad she was sain She had lost that awful pallor, that stricken, lost look she had had when she had come to his suite