AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nina, who is that, and where did you find him?” She’s whisper-screaming with excitement. The blue scrubs she is wearing fold as she leans toward me, trying to hear my response.
“Trust me, you don’t want to be involved with him.”
“Are you blind?”
“No, I’m just not stupid.” I laugh, looking over in his direction.
“You seem conflicted.” Her head tilts down, grinning.
“We need to do this more often. I feel like I hardly ever see you anymore.” I quickly change the subject. My eyes fall when I realize I don’t think I will be able to for much longer.
“Yeah, we really should. I miss you. Are you coming to the art exhibit with us?”
Giovanni walks over with coffee. He takes a seat right next to me, sitting too close. I scoot my chair away from him, but he grabs it and pulls it all the way over to his.
Brooke looks at us back and forth, trying to cover her smile with her coffee.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to.”
I look down at Giovanni and see his fists tighten. That tells me all too well that I was right, and I won’t be able to go.
Nina Romano, say goodbye to your precious freedom.
10NINA
“Nina.” The sound of my sister’s voice slowly wakes me up. “Nina.” She repeats herself.
I am exhausted after all the stores Mama made us go into today.
I can’t complain though; I came home with so many new things. The only thing Ana shopped for was lingerie. Mama shook her head the entire time, and I did too.
Should act like I’m still sleeping or not?I open one of my eyes and look at the alarm clock resting on the table next to my bed.
It’s midnight. What does my sister want at twelve in the freaking morning?
My curiosity gets the better of me as I turn toward her. “What is it, Ana?” I ask with a groggy voice. “Why are you even here right now?”
“Get up. Max told one of the guards to go and watch the warehouse tonight.”
I focus all my attention on her and notice she’s decked out from head to toe in an outfit made to impress.What the hell is she thinking?
“Ana. Whatever plans you have floating around in the beautifully idiotic mind of yours, forget them.”
“No. We used to do this all the time!” She stands on my bed, pulling on my arm and forcing me to sit up. “Now’s our chance!” She’s trying to whisper her excitement, which makes me giggle.
It’s true—we used to go out all the time once we looked old enough to pass for twenty-one. We’re still not of age, but most of the men at the clubs are familiar with Papa and they allow us in.
There’s only one specific bouncer who won’t accept a bribe not to tell Papa, and he only works at the club on Saturdays.
“It’s a Monday,” I say, rubbing my eyes, trying to wake myself up. “Well, technically, it’s a Tuesday.” I laugh.
My sister is up to something. She knows I can’t pass up a night of fun like that. The little devil is using my weakness as her strength to get what she wants.
“You can wear that black dress you bought today. Nina, come on!” She sits on the bed, pushing me off with her feet.
I spend nearly an hour getting ready. This is the first time I’ve been out in so long. Every dress I try on doesn’t seem worthy enough for the club Ana wants to go to. Eventually, I decide to go with the dress Ana told me to wear. The black dress I bought today fits me perfectly.
I walk over to my closet and pull out a designer bag I’ve had for years. In all honesty, I couldn’t care less about designer clothes and accessories, but Mama has preached over the years how important it is to look my best at all times.
