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“Rule number one, Giovanni. Do not ever contact another member directly. This will put me at risk since there are a number of men trying to overtake our family.”
He doesn’t have to worry about that. I only make conversation with them when they are already present in the room.
“Rule number two, never touch another man’s wife.” I hear him take a gulp of a drink I assume is alcohol—rum, to be exact.
“Let’s just get on with this, yeah?” I want to hurry up this conversation. I’ve been staring at my computer screen for so long, trying to solve a problem that has been on my back for years. I stayed up all night attempting to piece together this puzzle of a shit show. Some of it makes sense, and the rest may as well have me thrown into oblivion.
“Giovanni.” My father sighs into the phone. “You need to come here as soon as you can. Do I need to continue to remind you about rule number four?”
“Tu non.”I cut him off before he can speak any further. The rule is about respect and showing up on time. I would have if it weren’t for Carlo’s demands.
Not to mention, I’m kind of having fun with Nina. Her father is involved in more than I ever would have thought. I just need his fucking phone to find out more. If Nina is smart, she will give me his phonesoon.
“I will be there in a week. Does this suffice?”
The click of his tongue on his teeth runs through the speaker of my phone as he takes in a deep breath. “And if not—”
Tired of his empty threats, I hang up the phone.
I slam my computer shut and lean back in the dining room chair.
“Giovanni,” Miliana says, stumbling back and placing her hand over her heart.
“Didn’t mean to scare you, Mama.”
“Absurdité.”She throws her arms into the air dramatically.
Is every female in this house overly dramatic all the time?
“Plans for today?” she asks while coming over to the table I was working at. She has no clue what my plans are for today.
I hate that I’m doing all of this behind their backs, but my plans would be destroyed if anyone found out.
As of right now, I only have my suspicions.
I raise my eyebrows and glance at my laptop and phone.
“Mon Dieu, get your head out of work!” She reminds me all too much of my own mother.
Miliana has a heart made of gold. For the life of me I cannot understand how she and Rolando have made their marriage work. She walks around without a worry in her mind. Years and years of marriage haven’t tainted her heart. She’sjustlike my mother. They both carried on, ignoring any acts of violence the men in their lives created. It takes a strong heart to love the way my mother and Miliana love their husbands. Showing their affection and giving it to people who don’t deserve to see it. They’re able to ignore the coldness that surrounds their daily life.
The most admirable part is their raw honesty.
My mother held onto the best part of herself: her heart.
That’s the sickest irony the world could ever fight back with.
“Mama, have you seen my—?”
Nina walks into the room brighter than ever, but she freezes when she sees me. She must have expected me to go back to my daily professions, but I have other things to deal with. The last time I saw her this bright and bubbly was years ago, when she had no worries flooding her mind because of that damn deal.
Her dark brown hair matches her tanned olive skin perfectly. I told her not to wear outfits like that anymore—did she not understand me the first time? There are men all over who would take their chances with her no matter the consequences.
Does she have to learn the hard way?
She can’t just walk around with a sheer white, loose-fitting top that cups her breasts.
I clear my throat in an attempt to clear my mind. I don’t need another man’s blood on my hands trying to defend the girl’s honor.
