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“Um… I’m not sure how literally you mean that.”
“I’m very serious. Also, Lola might seem sweet and innocent, but try leaving without letting her feed you, and you’ll see a new side of her.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the image of her berating Lucien for skipping breakfast.
“After I lost my mom, she took over making sure Angelo and my father and I took care of ourselves, not that she has to worry too much about me, but my father has a heart condition now, and my idiot brother and cousin seem to think they can survive on coffee and alcohol.”
The heaviness of his sigh had me wanting to comfort him, but I wasn’t sure he’d accept that, so I tried teasing him instead. “So they’re the problem, and you’re a pure and good soul?”
The glare he gave me had my pulse speeding up. Had I gone too far?
I knew I hadn’t when he started to laugh. The sound echoed as we entered the large dining room. “Of course I am. You must know that after last night.”
“Is he trying to tell you he’s smarter than God?” The question had come from Devil, who was lounging back in a chair with his feet up on another one.
Lucien slapped him on the side of his head. “Put your fucking feet down and show some fucking manners.”
“He’s not all that, you know?” Devil continued. “Being the oldest doesn’t make him the smartest.”
Lucien glared at his cousin, and I was glad that chilling look wasn’t directed at me. “Don’t forget who’s in charge here. You take orders from me. Don’t make me regret giving you more responsibility.”
“Lay off him, Devil,” Angelo said, entering the dining room behind us. “He’s got his new man here. Let him enjoy it.”
Devil snorted and gave me a slow once-over. “How long do you think you’ll last here? I’m surprised Luce hasn’t chewed you up and spit you out already.”
Lucien grabbed Devil’s shirt and yanked him to his feet. I was shocked by how easily he manhandled his much larger cousin.
Devil didn’t look intimidated though, he just grinned. “Fuck. Angel was right. Now I owe the bastard.”
“You and Angelo stay out of my business, and if you insult Peter in any way, expect there to be consequences. You got that?”
“Yes, sir,” Devil said, his tone mocking.
“Watch it. Pop’s already threatened to kick you out. You push me too far and you’ll lose your place here.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Jesus, I was just teasing.”
“Stop.” Lucien pushed Devil away from him.
Devil just laughed and headed for the door.
“You haven’t eaten anything,” Lola scolded, entering the room with a pot of coffee in her hand.
Devil smiled at her. “You know I don’t like to eat first thing.”
She huffed. “That’s no good. You need some protein to start the day.”
“I do all right,” he protested.
“Don’t be late for our meeting this morning,” I called after him. “Vinnie says he’s got some news.”
“I’ll be there.”
“On time,” Lucien insisted.
Devil tossed a dismissive wave over his shoulder and left.
“You’re worried about him, aren’t you?” I asked after Lola had poured us coffee and we’d filled our plates from the offerings on the table. I noticed Lucien took two chocolate croissants and a cinnamon roll. Apparently, he really did love sweets.
Lucien sighed. “He’s unpredictable. I don’t like that.”
I wanted to ask more questions, but I doubted Lucien would say more. “His real name isn’t Devil, is it?”
Lucien grinned. “No, definitely not.”
“And you’re not going to tell me what it is.”
“Fuck no. It’s one of our most closely guarded family secrets.”
A few moments later, Lucien’s aunt Sabrina joined us. It was difficult to guess her age. She could easily pass for midforties, but if she were close to Lucien’s father’s age, she was more likely at least a decade older than that. She was tall with long, curly dark hair. She wore an elegant dark red dress, reminiscent of a 1940s film star. Lucien introduced us, and I noticed that her presence seemed to calm him. We chatted with her until Lucien rose, saying it was time to leave.
The next few weeks passed quickly. Lucien and I rose early, breakfasted together, and went into work. I visited my uncle a few times. He hadn’t seen Jimmy since the day Jimmy had told me about the job at Distinguished Properties, but I’d told him to let me know if he did. I’d tried to contact Jimmy several times, but he didn’t return any of my calls or texts. Was he ignoring me like I’d done to him, or had something happened to him? I wanted to figure out if the “better offer” he’d gotten was from one of the Marchesis’ enemies.
The days passed quickly. Carla kept me busy, and occasionally Lucien called me into his office because he needed my “help.” This help was usually given on my knees or bent over his desk. I was almost starting to get over my fear of someone walking in on us.
