That’s my next order of business after I calm this storm. What the fuck is going on in my camp? Clearly, I need to step my shit up.
I park and look over at Oni. She’s perfect for the job. A little makeup and we’ll be able to play up her age. No one will suspect the young woman on my arm of anything I have coming.
“Come on. I have so much to teach you and a ton of money to make,” I say before I get out to open her door.
She gives me a bright smile. I have to fight not to lean in and finally taste those lips. I’m in so much trouble.
Oni
This house is so much biggerthan the one Rico took me to last night. Its size alone makes me feel like I’m in over my head. I haven’t missed the fact that Rico is keeping his distance from me.
I’m not sure what that’s about, but I roll with it and keep my head held high. I have a task to do. I’m going to do it so I can get to my bag.
“Ah, you’re here,” a man who looks like an older version of Rico says as we walk into the sitting room.
My uncle is already seated in the room and there’s another man who looks like Rico here as well. My uncle stands and pullsme into his arms. He hugs me tight and kisses the top of my head.
I give him a tight squeeze as if to apologize for all the trouble I’ve caused. He releases me, and the man who greeted us places his hands on my shoulders. I look up into his eyes and they’re almost identical to Rico’s, the same hazel-gray color.
“How you doing, sweetheart? I’m Federico Gallo Sr. It is nice to meet you, Oni. You have left quite the impression,” the man says as he pulls me in to kiss both my cheeks.
The other man snorts and folds his arms across his chest. He hasn’t moved from his seat to greet us. Instead, he sits while looking me up and down as if he smells something funky.
I don’t know what his problem is or who the fuck he is, but I already don’t like him. Rico moves to greet him, and for the first time, the man pulls his gaze from me as he stands and pulls Rico into a hug by the back of his head as he whispers into Rico’s ear. Rico stiffens.
I swear I can see anger rolling off him, but he only steps back from the man and turns to me, lifting his hand to beckon me over with his fingers. There’s no tenderness in the gesture, as I have come to know. I step over to him and lift my head.
“This is Oni Raven. Jack Raven’s daughter. Oni, this is Emilio Gallo, my uncle.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” I say politely.
Emilio looks me over once again. Something crosses his eyes so fast I barely catch it. He tilts his head as if in thought.
“You’re such a little thing to cause so much trouble,” Emilio finally says to me.
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention for any of the trouble I caused to happen. I only want to pay what I owe and be out of your hair.”
“Quiet, Oni,” Uncle Claude bites out and gives me a pointed look.
“If she’s old enough to be a thief, she’s old enough to negotiate for herself,” Emilio says slyly.
“I think we are all getting ahead of ourselves. Come have a seat, Oni. Rico, sit next to me,myson.”
I don’t miss the emphasis Federico Sr. places on the word “my.” Emilio pulls a sour face and watches us as we go to take our seats. I make sure to sit across from Federico Sr., away from Rico, but with a clear view of him, his uncle, and mine.
My gut tells me to observe. My dad used to tell me to be aware of the situations I find myself in. Know how to read a room to know what cards to play.
I definitely have a hand to play here. My uncle wants me safe. Rico wants my loyalty and a driver.
I’m not going to analyze what else is in this for him. For now, I believe Federico Sr. has an agenda too, but I’m not sure yet what it is. That leaves Emilio, who I’m not sure wants me around at all.
“Oni, you took something that didn’t belong to you. As a result, it cost my family a considerable loss,” Rico’s dad starts.
“Considerable?” Emilio murmurs and shrugs. “I would have written it off. Which is why I’m questioning my nephew. Why bring this little thief into your circle? Which head are you thinking with,nipote?”
“Brother, I think you should watch the video. She’s more than a thief. The girl is smart. I backed his decision to hire her.
“If you think the boy isn’t thinking straight, she can come and stay with me for the summer. A pretty thing like her probably shouldn’t be back at the house with the boys anyway. I hadn’t known she was a looker. Rico couldn’t have known that either. This was a business decision,” Federico says.
