Luca couldn't suppress a quiet chuckle.
"From where I'm standing, this feels less like a dinner and more like a well-organized assassination attempt." She finally dropped into the sofa with a dramatic sigh, running a hand through her hair. The anger that had fueled her outburst began to give way to genuine worry. Beneath her sharp tongue and fiery temperament was a fierce protectiveness for her sister, one that Luca understood all too well.
"Oh, Ricardo is so going to get it," Vee declared, leaning back against the cushions, her eyes narrowing with determination. "I promise you I am going to strangle him in ways he hasn't even begun to imagine yet," Vee said.
"Yes! Yes! Be mad at Ricardo! I had nothing to do with it!" Luca said quickly, seizing the opportunity, grasping at a life raft. His hands lifted in mock surrender, a hopeful grin spreading across his face.
"Oh, shut up!" Vee snapped, rolling her eyes so dramatically it was a wonder they didn't get stuck.
