The Beauty and the Brawler by Nikki Winter Page A

never fail to mention that he’s your brother also. I like how much respect you have for your parents and how you turn into a little boy around your mother. I like that you have a charity you regularly involve yourself with. I like that two of your best friends are gay and you don’t bat a lash, yet I’m sure you make inappropriate jokes as much as possible.”
              “That’s debatable. Sansone makes inappropriate jokes...I just laugh.”
              “I like that you’ve such an easy relationship with my sister but seem to be terrified to be left in a room alone with her. I like that when you look at me, you see me and not a ticket to keep your brand going. I like that you like me. I like that you seem to know so much about me but listen to everything I say without question. In simple words, I like you, Luciano Antonelli, and if you ever tell anyone we had this conversation I’ll tie you down and rub liverwurst on your balls before leaving Manfred alone with you.”
              “You’re right...you do have a strange relationship with your cat... ow with the pinching!” He snatched his hand away. “These are my moneymakers, woman!”
              Samara snorted. “You could retire tomorrow and have enough cash to buy and sell a small island.”
              “Nothing like being rich and good looking.”
              “You’re certainly rich...”
              “Hurting my feelings here, bella.”
              “Stop with the Italian!”
              Luciano waggled his brows while grinning. “Does it make you horny, baby?”
              “You are to never use a British accent again.”
              “Yes, ma’am.”
              “And I need more tea!”
              “I’ll get you more if you promise to tell everyone I’m your boyfriend.”
              “You’re really determined to get that title, aren’t you?”
              “ Con ogni mezzo necessario.”
              “All right, dammit! I’ll tell everyone you’re my boyfriend.”
              He picked up her free hand and kissed the palm. “Sammie’s got a boyfriend,” Luciano sung.
              “Shaddup,” Samara grumbled. But her heart wasn’t in it. She was too busy trying not to smile.
    ***
    “So… you’re the one.”
    Luciano looked at Trip, who stood before him, arms folded, tapping one foot. “We trusted you, Luc.”
    His brows rose. “You trusted me with what exactly?”
    “Our Sammie!”
    “ Okay…”
    “And this is what you do?”
    “Ignore him.” Paz spoke from a chair in the small studio space where Samara had left him while she went to talk to her star-host. Not many had questioned his showing up with her. A few in the station had asked for an autograph or talked to him briefly about his next bout but other than that, nothing. It was like they already knew.
    Now he was regretting his decision to stay behind while she left the room. He’d only met Trip and Paz a few times. The first had been at Nyssa’s birthday party. Seemed that out of the two men, Trip was the one with a flair for the dramatic.
    At first it was a question as to whether or not he had feelings for Samara but after a few minutes of seeing them interact, he realized Trip felt nothing more than a sibling-like bond.
    “Don’t tell him to ignore me!” Trip snapped. He turned to Luciano and poked him the chest. “Let me tell you something.”
    “He can kill you with one hand,” Paz stated, staring down at his phone.
    “Either be supportive of my threatening a man three times my size or shut up!”
    Paz waved a hand. “Have at it.”
    Trip turned back to him. “You hurt her, and it’s me and you, man. Me. And. You.”
    Luciano blinked. He had to admire the balls on this guy. From what Samara had told him, the other man had been a pretty good friend over the last few years, even when he was being