Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 59304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“The prom thing?”
She takes a step back. “The prom thing,” she repeats. “You said it like it’s some silly, pathetic little concern. Like it doesn’t matter. But I ruined my mom’s business.”
“That wasn’t your fault.”
“What about your parents’ vow renewal? When I ruin that, will it be my fault?” When I don’t reply, she turns away. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
I watch her go, wanting to call for her to come back, but there’s no point unless I can offer something more.
Instead, I go to find my uncle, asking around some of the other mafia men. When one of them tells me he said he was checking in with island security, I grit my teeth.
I catch him as he’s leaving the building, a dark look on his face.
“What business do you have questioning the security, Uncle?”
He stops, hands stuffed in his pockets, eyes narrowed at me. “I’m not discussing anything with you.”
“That sounds suspicious.”
He takes a step forward, glaring at me. “Are you playing games, nephew? Are you who I think you are?”
“You sound unhinged. And you’re projecting again.”
“I’ve known men to wear masks before. For years, they wear masks, until one day the mask falls, and the blood starts to flow. I’ve seen it countless times. Is that who you are, Dario?”
I grab the front of his shirt. “This sounds like some real amateur-hour reverse psychology to me.”
“Something is happening on this island, nephew, and I don’t fucking like it.”
“So, your tactic to avoid suspicion is to blame everyone else. Are you forgetting I know you’ve been vying for the Don spot?”
Eddy pushes my hand away and walks into me, knocking into my shoulder. I almost chase after him and smack him across the mouth, but that would mean starting a conflict we can’t come back from. That would risk bloodshed.
I can’t make that move until I’m certain he’s the one pulling the strings.
CHAPTER 21
SIENA
I’m eating lunch at the restaurant alone when Naaif approaches me again.
“I’ve got my own personal stalker,” I joke.
He smiles. “I promise this will be the last time.”
“I’m kidding,” I tell him. “What’s up?”
“I have an invitation for you.”
“An invitation?” I ask.
He frowns, probably wondering why I’ve made such a simple word sound so cold.
“To what?”
“I don’t know.” He hands me a small envelope. “Don’t shoo—”
“Shoot the messenger, I know. Sorry, Naaif.”
I open the envelope. It’s an invitation to a wine tasting, signed with Dario’s name. I leave my lunch where it is and exit the restaurant. I’m getting a headache, a tight band of tension squeezing my skull.
I find Marcela lounging on the beach, in a pale white dress, reading a novel underneath an umbrella.
“Excuse me, Marcela,” I say. “Have you seen Dario?”
A wicked smile touches her lips. “You seem very keen to find him.”
“He’s arranged a wine tasting, but it wasn’t on the schedule.”
She nods to the lounge chair next to hers. “Vittorio has disappeared to the spa. Would you sit with me for a moment?”
I don’t want to sit with her. I want to rant and rave at her son. But it’s not like I can say no.
“Sure.”
“How are you feeling?” she asks.
“You know—” Stressed. Suspicious. Conflicted. “Fine.”
“Take a breath. Look at the sea, the beauty, and appreciate where you are. I feel like you’ve been running around nonstop, not giving yourself time to enjoy it.”
“With all due respect, it’s not my job to enjoy it. My job is to make sure you enjoy it.”
“What if I said that, for me to enjoy it, I need you to enjoy it?” She laughs. “See, Siena, I’m not just a pretty face.”
I roll my eyes.
“Was that an eye roll, young lady?”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I didn’t mea—”
“You should try to relax around me. Am I really that intimidating?”
“No,” I admit. “But I don’t want to get too comfortable around my boss.”
“I’m not your boss. I’m your client–well, your client’s wife, since he made all the arrangements. And let’s not forget the fact that you saved me. Now, look at the horizon, appreciate it.”
I gaze across the glittering blue waves.
“Breathe, Siena.”
I take a slow breath, then let it out just as slowly.
“This place is beautiful, isn’t it?”
For the first time, I allow myself to sincerely sink into the moment, allow my mind to settle and stop skipping from task to task.
“Yes,” I tell her. “It’s heavenly.”
“It’s the sort of place a girl could fall in love…”
I aim a sour look at her, knowing it’s unprofessional, but I can’t help it.
She shrugs, not seeming to mind. “I know I’m pushing a little too hard.”
“I’m just not a love-at-first-sight sort of gal.”
“Oh, all that? Ignore me. I get a little sentimental. It’s in my nature. Forget love. Forget what comes after, even. All I know is that my son hasn’t behaved like this in years, perhaps ever.”
My heart picks up speed, a tingle shivering over my body. It’s like what Dario said about our chemistry.