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"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Ryan," I tell him.
"I don't remember asking…"
I close my mouth tight and move closer to my mother, who now puts her arm around my shoulders. I get the feeling that these are some pretty bad men, and whatever Dante is discussing with Bain can't be anything good. Bain only confirms it when he returns to the room and finds me looking at him. When his brown eyes meet mine, a cold chill races through me, and I know it isn't good.
All throughout the dinner, I've felt eyes on me. Every time I glance around, I find one of the D'Angelo brothers observing me. Luca outright ogles me from across the table, winking once we make eye contact. Bain notices as well and tries to keep me engaged in conversation. I'd say it's sweet of him, but Bain doesn't do sweet.
The other families who showed up, other than the Silvers and D'Angelos, all seem like nice people, so I haven't the slightest idea how our host got caught up with the likes of these monsters. From what I can tell, it's only my assumption, but I believe the D'Angelos are part of a mafia. It's the easiest way to describe them.
"So, Ryan." Dante is the one who grabs my attention. "I hear you have one more year of high school left. Tell me, why is that? You are of age, are you not?"
Before I can say anything, my mother says, "Her father and I started her late. Otherwise, she would have been one of the youngest in her class, and we felt she wasn't ready."
I notice how Bain places his hand over my mother's hand and gives it a little squeeze before my mother stops talking. When I look over at Dante, he's glaring at my mother.What the fuck is his problem? I get my answer a moment later when the scary dude opens his mouth again.
"I believe I was asking Ryan. Unless, of course, your name is also Ryan," Dante grinds out through clenched teeth.
I tell him before it gets out of hand, "My mother meant no harm. She just explains it better than I do."
Dante's eyes land back on me, smirking. "Is that so? How would you explain it?"
I shrug. "That I'm just stupid."
Apparently, that's the wrong answer because his eyes cloud over, and I see the anger grow. "You're right; she explained it so much better than you would have."
My blood turns cold from the look he gives me before turning his attention away. I'm relieved that I'm no longer his primary focus, but now the quiet brother, Sergio, smirks as he takes me in.What is with these three asshats? Haven't they ever heard of manners?
I make small talk the rest of our dinner with Mrs. Harris, a client of Bain's. She isn't much older than my mother and is a delight to talk to. It beats conversing with one of the monster brothers, and Bain is busy talking with Mom and Benji. Not that I want to be stuck talking to him either, but Bain is the lesser of two evils.
We are just getting ready to leave and return to the Manor when Bain's name is called. I know it's Dante because he's the only one who has called my stepfather by his last name all night. Bain stops and turns back around, but when my mother and I stop, he tells us to meet him in the car.
"Remember, six months, Huntley. That's all the time I will give you to prepare the package," I hear Dante say to my stepfather.
Dante's eyes burn into me with a heated look when I peek behind me. The only thing his look does to me is give me chills down my spine. I no longer want to linger, so I grab my mother's hand and hurry her along.
I've never seen a look that is heated yet stone-cold all at once, but Dante pegged it. I now have a dreadful feeling that Bain has gotten himself into something that he can't get out of, but I guess that's on him. I mean, who associates themselves with the likes of men like the D'Angelo brothers?
Bain isn't long, and my mother and I are only in the car for maybe a minute before Bain gets into the driver's seat. He says nothing as he starts the car and pulls out of the driveway. I notice my mother stealing glances at her husband, but she must not dare ask, so I do instead.
"What was that all about, Bain?"
"Hm?" He plays dumb.
"You know what I mean. What package is Dante talking about, and why are you in business with him? He's in the Mafia or something, isn't he?" I cross my arms, waiting for him to deny it.
"I can't say if he is. I've never asked him, and I don't plan to. As for the package, Dante placed an order that may be difficult to fill, so he's giving me some time. I hope he finds what he wants elsewhere, so I don't have to do business with him."
I think hard about what he's telling me, but something isn't adding up. "Why would he think you were hiding from him?"
Our eyes meet in the review mirror, and I can tell he's getting annoyed with me. "We did work together at one time, but our business finished up, and I stepped away, not wanting to work with them again. It seems they haveother plans, though."
"I'm sure you can get out of it somehow... Can't you?" I ask.
Bain scoffs, "The D'Angelo brothers are not men you can say no to unless you want to find yourself on the Missing Persons list."
I think about this momentarily. Dante seemed okay with me, so maybe I can help somehow. I lean forward and offer him my help. "I can talk to Dante. I think maybe I can talk him into backing off—"
"No!" Bain cuts me off. "Promise me that you will not go to them unless I tell you to. Promise me, Ryan!"
