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“What are you doing?” She whispers, glancing at my drink but not my eyes. Never my eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re looking at me like…” The food comes out, and I lean in to her, watching the vein in her neck plus faster.
With a satisfied grin, I whisper, “Like what?” She crinkles her nose, not looking at me as she takes a sip of her wine, so I repeat the question.
“Would you just be quiet?” She bites back, louder than she should have because her brothers eye us both, and I look to the ceiling, licking my bottom lip in annoyance as I straighten my back. Thankfully, my next sip of champagne-vodka is strong, and I finish the rest of the glass rather quickly, just in time for the entire dinner to be served.
Espie mostly whispers with her sister, who I’ve gathered from chatter is named Olive. I don’t try to talk to anyone, don’t have any interest in it. Just want this alcohol to enter my bloodstream and give me everything I need to get through the night.
“Shall we let the two of them walk around the gardens?” My father's voice brings me out of my daydream about being in bed by now, and I shift my eyes to Vince, who shakes his head stiffly.
“Vincenzo, let the children wander a little. After all, it’s good for them to get more acquainted.”
“That’s actually what I wanted to speak with you about, Nikolai.” My father cocks his head.
“We’ve heard of the rebellion you’re dealing with—“
Otetswaves his hand dismissively. “Vincenzo, that is being dealt with, I can assure you.”
“And while I’m certain that’s the case, Nikolai, I can’t help but wonder if that’s a good reason for us to put a pause on this entire arrangement.” Hope bubbles in my chest at the thought of this being true, but my father shakes his head and I grit my teeth.
“Vince, this isn’t something we’re unfamiliar with. We are well-equipped to deal with imbecilepredatelisuch as these.”
“Nikolai,” Vince is obviously forcing politeness. “I implore you to look at the contract that you signed, stating this union will provide safety for both families.”
“I know very well what the contract states. Or have you forgotten I wrote it? I’m telling this to you, it will not be a problem. They will be safe.”
“Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee of this and Espie’s safety is as important to me as peace and allegiance in your family is to you. Certainly, that’s reason enough to nullify this contract.” Vince narrows his eyes at my father who does the same and I feel as though I’m losing a fight. I never lose fights, and this won’t be an exception.
Vince getting off this easy means he’s planning something, and breaking the alliance with his family now, will only mean they get what they want. Just like they always do. Not a fucking chance.
Maybe that’s why I speak up, and I might be a fucking half-wit for doing it, but I proceed anyway.
“Actually, wecanguarantee absolute safety for both Esperanza and I, as well as give my father a chance to work out the current familial drama.” Espie stiffens next to me, and this only eggs me on. I’m definitely drunk, so that’s probably why I like that she’s finally paying attention to me. Everyone is waiting for me to continue, and I press my hand on the table, catching my father’s warning glare.
“The safe-house.” He lowers his brows, but I continue. “We have a safe-house, a mansion, in Sortavala, Russia.” My father presses his hand to his mouth, elbow resting on the table as all eyes pan to him, and then he claps with a grin.
“My boy, that is precisely what we will do. It is the safest, most remote location. I have men guarding the grounds, and we’ll even send some extra along as well. They’ll hide out there for a few months and be married by the time this small family strife is a distant memory.”
“I don’t—“ Espie begins, but Vince cuts her off.
“That seems like a reasonable solution.” This is clearly not the answer Espie wanted because she pushes herself away from the table.
“Esperanza.” Vince warns and she stops.
“May I be excused?” She quickly asks her father, and he pauses for a moment before nodding. Subsequently, she shifts her fury to Vince, eyes blazing with rebellion as she stands and storms out of the dining room. I’m turned on by that look in her eyes, the sheer “fuck you” of her dramatic exit. A little shocked by it, too because I didn’t peg her as being the type to storm off. Thought she always did the polite thing.
Olive asks the same, excusing herself to follow her, giving me a death-glare on her way out. I snark a laugh that thankfully my father doesn’t notice, and excuse myself to smoke outside.
It doesn’t hit me until the brisk evening air does, that I have just fucked myself over. Sure, I may have prevented a classic San Giovanni scheme from ever happening, but in return, I’ve sealed my fate with Espie. I’ve never won a fight while losing another before, and it’s a sick sort of feeling that I’ve gained because of it.
As I light up my cigarette and take my first drag, I close my eyes, holding it in a little longer than usual to get just enough of a buzz. It doesn’t stop that confusing fury twisting in my gut, though, and when I breathe out, I shake my head disparagingly.
“Fuck me.” I snarl bitterly, and before I can take another puff, a voice startles me from behind.
“Funny, I was about to say the same.”
