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“Show Ava what you do at the hotel and casino. Make her feel more comfortable, part of the family.”
“No offense, Papa,” Angelo cut in, “but Dante’s not exactly welcoming. He’s more likely to kill her than get her talking.”
Stefan chuckled. “I got money on Dante losing his shit after one day with her.”
Dad pointed his finger at Stefan. “Shut your mouth, boy.”
Stefan raised his hands in defense. “Sorry, Papa.”
They called me a good boy.
A good dog.
But they were just as respectful to our father. Even when we talked back, and he put us in our places, we cowered to him. He was the boss of our family. We respected the shit out of him.
“It’s settled.” Dad rose from the armchair and drank from the glass in his hand. “Starting on Monday, Dante will work closely with Ava.” Then he looked at the twins and me. “I want all of you to make her life easier. No more games or bullshit. I’ll be with Cara until morning. Don’t disappoint me.”
He left the living room.
“I can’t wait to see what happens with Dante and Ava.” Angelo winked. “That girl is a firecracker. She’ll push Dante so far out of his comfort zone that he snaps.”
Dante shot up from the chair like it was on fire, his teeth clenched. “I’ll get the information none of you pussies could.”
He stormed out of the room, ending the conversation.
* * *
Later that night, I went down to my mother’s apartment. I needed to talk to someone about Ava and this fucking engagement hanging over my head.
Ma always knew what to do and had an answer in complicated situations like this one, especially matters of the heart.
I stopped in front of her door and knocked. A few seconds later, she opened the door, dressed in a black lace teddy paired with thigh-highs and an attached garter belt.
“Jesus, Ma.” I turned my head away from her. “Put some fucking clothes on.”
She stepped to the side to allow me inside the apartment. “Is this how you greet your mother?”
I glanced down at her, with her tits falling out of the top, and shook my head. “Clothes, Ma. Please.”
She groaned. “I dance in less than this.” My mother grabbed a short silk robe from the couch. “Stop being such a prude, Nico.”
“I’m not a prude. I don’t want to see you naked.”
Mom stood on her tippy toes to wrap her arms around my neck, and I hugged her back, lifting her feet off the floor. I kissed her cheek. “How are you doing, Ma?”
“You know me. I go with the flow.” She gripped my biceps and looked up at me with the same light blue eyes she’d given me. “I’m more concerned with how you’re doing.”
I sat on the couch beside her and shrugged. “I was hoping Dad wouldn’t make me go through with the engagement.”
“Ava is important to you.” So intuitive, she leaned into me, already reading the truth on my face. “You care for her.”
I nodded. “But it’s complicated. She’s the daughter of Giancarlo Vianello. Ava was supposed to be a mark, someone for me to use and throw away.”
“It doesn’t have to be the end,” she said softly. “Look at your father and me. He was married for more than half of our relationship.”
“How do you do it with Dad?”
She sighed. “Baby, I knew your father was married. I didn’t care. I fell hard for him and didn’t give a damn about the consequences.”
