“Hell no, I don’t wanna live with you, bro. Been there, done that. But my house doesn’t have a Rosa, and that’s why I’m here.” He plants a dramatic kiss on her cheek before dropping into the chair across from Cyan.
“You’re a damn parasite.” Cyan points at him.
Rosa places a loaded plate in front of Collin, and then she hits Cyan with her kitchen towel. “Be nice to your brother,” Rosa chides before turning to Johnny. “Come sit and, son. I’m sure there’s room for more.”
Johnny takes a seat beside Cyan. “Ma, if I eat any more, I’ll burst. You left breakfast for me at home.”
Cyan taps the back of Johnny’s head. “Respect your mother. She says Eat, so you eat.” I freeze mid-sip. Wait... what? That’s why Rosa looked familiar. She’s Johnny’s mother.
“Thanks, Cyan,” Rosa sighs. “You are such a good boy.” I’m staring now, but I can’t stop. It feels wrong–this warmth wrapped around men who kill for a living.
“You’re not dreaming,” Collin leans in. He smirks, flashing one of his fake smiles. “So, Aria, how’s life at Le Château Cyan? Was my big brother a suitable host?”
“Obviously not,” Rosa interjects. “They didn’t even touch the Irish beef stew I made for their dinner yesterday.”
I’m biding my time, but that doesn’t mean I have to be nice to any of them. I clear my throat. “Being locked in a room against my will kill an appetite. But I’ll take some for lunch.”
Rosa’s smile fades. “Sometimes walls keep danger out as much as they keep you in, Aria.” Her gaze drifts toward Cyan, fondness flickering across her face before she looks back at me. “He’s stubborn, but he does what he thinks is best, even if it feels like a cage. Still, lunch sounds good. We’ll eat together.”
I open my mouth to refuse, but Cyan leans in, his breath brushing my ear, voice low and steady. “Don’t you dare. Give me all your anger; I can take it. But don’t take it out on Rosa.” My jaw tightens. I swallow the retort burning on my tongue. Fine. I’ll play along. Better to keep my eyes open, my ears sharper. Once I know where they’re keeping my Nonna, all bets are off.
“Nice, Aria,” Johnny says between bites of fruit. “You just made Ma’s day. Feeding people is her love language.” I grip my fork tighter. Great. Now I’m responsible for making his mother happy. I bite down on my bagel with more force than necessary, reminding myself: play along, for now, forcing myself to chew. The front door opens again. Troy and another man walk in. The guy looks familiar, maybe because he resembles Troy—they both have the same build.
Troy steals a piece of bacon off Collin’s plate. Collin glares. “You’re lucky I like you, bastard.” Collin leans back in his chair, slapping at Troy’s hand as he tries to take another.
“Aria, you remember my little brother, Thomas?” Troy asks. Thomas is shorter, leaner, with skin tone closer to my own warm brown tone and no bright orange mohawk.
Thomas barely looks up from his phone. “Hey.”
“Hey, Thomas. Good morning.” I mutter before glancing at Troy, my tone turning sharp. “Yeah, I remember Troy. He was with you the night you shot at me.”
“You shot at her?” Rosa’s voice is deadly as she slaps Troy’s hand away from Collin’s plate. “You guys forgot to tell me about that detail.”
Troy sighs, unbothered. “Didn’t know that one over there was interested,” he jerks his chin toward Cyan.
Rosa shakes her head. “No wonder the poor girl’s jumpy around you lot.”
I take a slow sip of tea, I need to keep them talking. Every answer might be a clue, masking the rush of adrenaline beneath a calm voice. “So,” I ask casually, “you all live in the compound?”
“Yeah, we all do. Well, the ten fingers at least,” Collin answers.
I feel Cyan’s observant gaze before he cuts in. “The ten fingers? Are the ten that make up the Irish Fists, you’ll meet them all next Friday.”
Rosa turns to Thomas. “Make sure your wife is... well, I’m sure you know what I mean.”
Thomas looks up. “Yeah, Rosa. Lucilla will be at her best.” Another woman lives here. Another piece in Cyan’s world I don’t understand yet? Maybe she might help me.
Collin leans toward me, pulling me from my thoughts. “Our weekly family dinner. Rosa makes it an unmissable event.”
“This dinner is to welcome Aria.” Rosa levels a look at them. “We can’t have her thinking you boys weren’t raised right.” I nearly choke.
Cyan pushes his empty plate away. “We need to go. Aria has work.”
My head snaps up. Wait... what? I thought he told my boss I wasn’t coming in. Cyan, reading my thoughts speaks up.
“I found a compromise. You’ll work on your project from the Crescent Bay office… remember you must behave, Dove, or you’ll be saying bye-bye to J&G accounting.”A compromise? Please. It’s a different cage with fluorescent lighting. I give Cyan an excited nod, and he continues. “Johnny will be with you. No more giving him the slip.” I press my lips together and smile. Let Cyan think his leash is tight.
“Sorry, Rosa. I have to cancel our lunch.”
