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She huffs, shaking her head. “It would be nice to have my brother around once in a while.” I look at her. Studying her face for any sign of what could be wrong. Something is definitely off with her. She has never given me an attitude like this. It’s not in her nature. She is soft. Submissive. Like mamma. Then I see the sorrow in her eyes. The loneliness.Sadness. I frown at what could cause the look on her face. Does she know about the deal Papà set up with the Romanos? No. No matter how muchof a monster he is, Papà wouldn’t have told her yet. Not until everything is set in stone.
I shake the thought of her potential arranged marriage away because honestly, that shit is never going to happen anyway. Grabbing the glass carafe of coffee, I pour myself a mug full just as Mamma takes her seat.
“Juliana prepared breakfast. Your papà will be joining us shortly and then we can start.” She informs us before lifting her glass of orange juice to her mouth and taking a sip. Annoyance slithers through me. I don’t know why. It’s been this way since we were children and had family dinners. Even if it takes an hour, we will not start eating untilPapàhas arrived.
Turning to my sister, I frown when I find her eyes on Dante. My eyes narrow in on her face, then flicker to my best friend. Like they are in some staring contest, they just watch each other as if their lives depend on it. Like I watch… Ocean. I grit my teeth when the unbidden thought enters my mind. Wanting to break their stare off, I clear my throat and speak. “How’s school?”
Allegra’s head snaps up, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and embarrassment. Her cheeks turn a dark shade of red like she just got caught with her hand in a cookie jar she was not supposed to have it in. And she isdefinitelynot to have her hand anywhere on or even near Dante. “Good. I’m on track to be valedictorian.” She squeaks out.
Ignoring her weird behavior with my best friend, I smile, impressed at her achievement. Allegra goes to a private, all-girls, school around two miles from here. She always has two guards protecting her at any given time, and at her old school she was embarrassed by having men following her every move. But having bodyguards at The Weststone Saints Academy for Girls is normal. The daughters of the elite, of some of the richest and most powerful men and women in the world, attend the academy. Ninety-nine percent of the student body has securitywith them. In fact, it is perceived as weird if you don’t have guards. “Good. Let me know when your graduation is. I want to be there.”
She beams at me, a real smile and the first one I have seen from her since I sat down at the table. Her mouth opens to respond only to snap shut when Papà walks in. “Let us eat.” His loud voice booms around the room as he takes the seat at the head of the table. Juliana rushes over, loading the table with dishes of delicious food.
Papà digs in first, silently telling us to do the same. And just like that, the boss has spoken, all conversation stops, and we eat.
Chapter 6
Ocean
Pulling open the staff door to the club, I step inside only to come to a complete stop when I spot Nico and Leo standing in the hallway, deep in conversation. My heart rate kicks up, beating against my ribcage just at the sight of Nico. I swallow past the lump in my throat, hoping that they are so deep into their discussion, that I can slip past them and into the changing room unnoticed. But when the heat of both their gazes land on me I know I’m not that lucky.
The air turns thick in the small space of the hallway, almost choking me with the sudden tension. I shift on my feet, my stomach dipping with nerves. I keep my gaze trained on Nico, waiting, but for what I am unsure. I feel like prey, caught up in his predatory pale blue eyes. They rake over my body, burning every inch of my skin they touch and leaving goosebumps in their wake. When his gaze finally locks on mine, I feel warmth rush to my cheeks. His head cocks, and a flicker of confusion flashes in his eyes before he hides it. He watches me for a long intense beat, an expression I can’t quite decipher covering his handsome features. I stand like a statue, too scared to move in case he pounces. Satisfaction, followed by annoyance, flashes in his eyes, as if he likes what he sees but he isn’t happy about it.
“Hey,” I squeak out past the thickness in my throat, break the awkwardness.
Leo smiles but I can tell it's forced. “Ocean. How’re you doing?” he greets.
“Good. I was just getting here for my shift.” I blurt, then roll my eyes. I have no idea why I said that. Leo knows I work Saturdays. But for some unexplained reason, I have this sudden need to explain myself.
A smirk curves his lips, no doubt at my awkward behavior. “Go on ahead to the changing room, sweetheart.” He jerks his head in the direction of the room as if I don’t know where it is. Nodding, I exhale a shaky breath and as if of their own volition my gaze shifts to Nico. All the air leaves my lungs when I see the dark murderous look on his face. His jaw is clenched tightly, and his pale blue orbs have darkened to an almost black color. He looks…angry. Really angry. I want to ask him if I have done something wrong, but I don’t think I could speak right now, not with that penetrating stare laser focused on me.
Swallowing down my fear, I force a smile before rushing past the two men, not stopping until I make it to the end of the hall and into the changing room. It's only once I am inside that I release the breath I was holding.
Fuck. What was that all about and why does he set me on edge?
Questions swirl in my head, all wanting answers that I don’t have.
Was Nico’s anger directed at me or was it for Leo?
If it were aimed at me, then does he know that…that I lied?
No. Surely, I would have been fired by now if that were the case. I shake my head, knowing I don’t have time to delve into this right now. And do I even want to? Just from looking at Nico, I can tell that he is a man of power. A man not to be messed with. After all, I should know. I’ve been surrounded by men of powerand wealth my whole life. Men like Nico. My body shudders as if it is rejecting even the smallest thought of my past and I shove the thoughts aside, telling myself that no matter what, I need to stay away from Nico Marchetti. No good can come from getting caught up with someone like him.
Finished with my little pep talk, I move further into the room, to my designated chair and mirror. Dropping down, I grin when I spot Selena bounding toward me.
“Hey,” she chirps, eyes meeting mine in the mirror. I smile back at her, genuinely happy to see my friend.
“Hey. I haven’t seen you for a couple of days.” I say, because she has been MIA from both work and our current home.
She blushes, her hazel eyes lighting up with excitement. “You know I told you about Eric? Well, let’s just say things are heating up and I have been staying at his apartment the past couple of nights.”
“Well, it must be good if you are canceling work for him.” I tease, waggling my brows before my face sobers. “No, but seriously. I’m happy for you.”
She giggles. “Thank you. I have really gotten to know him over the last couple of days. He is amazing Ocean. He treats me like a queen…” A big smile curves her lips, and she leans in, covering her mouth and winking conspiratorially. “Well unless we are in the bedroom.”
With a smile twitching my lips, my face screws up in mock disgust. “Too much information, Selena.”
She giggles before it cuts off. Selena watches me and I literally see the cogs working in her head. “You know, Eric has some friends. Want me to set you up? We could double date.”
