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Max and DeLuca who had been listening laugh, but I see disappointment in Emilia’s eyes. She hides it quickly, but I still catch a glimpse. I have the strangest feeling that I’ve hurt her feelings and I don’t like it.
I dismiss the thought and shake away the strange feeling of guilt that I’m having. Kids have the strangest effect on you. This is why I’ll never have any. A man like me can’t afford a weakness—too many people exploit it.
My gaze tracks a man entering the room quietly. He’s obviously part of the house staff. He walks straight to Maxwell and whispers something to him. I can see from the look on Maxwell’s face the news is not welcomed. He immediately talks with DeLuca. I’m close to them, but I can’t hear what they’re saying and there’s no way in fuck I’m going to make it apparent that I’m trying to eavesdrop. In this organization, it can get you killed—not promoted. Maxwell finally straightens and says, while clearly annoyed, “Let him in.”
Now it’s my turn to be confused. This was to be my meeting with DeLuca. I don’t like curve balls. As far as I know, no one within the family would show up at a meeting that the Boss arranged with others—at least not someone with a brain in their head.
My curiosity is appeased, although my temper is aroused a minute later when Dante Russo comes walking in the room. I know immediately he heard through the grapevine about my meeting tonight. His gaze goes to mine, bitter hate and cockiness blends in his eyes. Someday, I’m going to kill that motherfucker—and enjoy every minute of it.
CHAPTER4
Emilia
I breathe a sigh of relief as my door closes. The first thing I do is go to my closet and take off the dress. I put on some worn denim shorts and an old T-shirt, then flop down on my bed. I loathe nights like tonight. Luckily, my father does his best to keep me out of business crap. He just refuses to keep me hidden at formal functions. I don’t think he realizes that I would prefer it.
I glance over at the clock and realize it’s still really early. That means Zoe is probably still at work. She works at a local grocery store. I wish I could get a job and work like her. There’s no way my father would let me, though. Zoe had to get special permission from her dad to work, but it’s not even about that for me. My father will never want me to work. He will do everything in his power to make sure I’m taken care of for the rest of my life. It feels suffocating, to be honest.
I think back over dinner and the men there. I’ve known Antonio DeLuca for a long time. I know how powerful he is, and I try not to embarrass my father around him. I think Mr. DeLuca is just a little younger than my father—who is forty-two. That seems to be awfully young for a man who has that much power, but I have no idea really. The other guy, I’d never met.Niko.He’s kind of hot. His hair dark in spots but with hints of this sandy brown running through it. He’s got deep brown eyes that almost look black. His face is intense, even when he’s trying to smile. Zoe would love him. I grin because my best friend thinks most men are hot. Zoe and I are total opposites. Honestly, I’d hide from people and be happy—men included. Zoe is outgoing and full of energy.
I did kind of like Niko. At least until he made me feel foolish and everyone laughed. It was stupid to ask him if he had a best friend. He’s older and obviously works for Mr. DeLuca. He must think I’m the biggest baby around. As much as I dislike Dante, I was glad he showed up and Father ushered all the men into his office. I finished my dinner with only Vic as company and then came back upstairs. I could tell Vic wasn’t happy Dante showed up. It was nothing he said, but when Vic is upset, you know it.
I get the feeling Niko didn’t like Dante, either. I’d even say their feelings are completely mutual. There was so much animosity coming from both of them that it made the air in the room uncomfortable. When Dante came over to talk to me, Niko placed himself between us—even going so far as to get in front of my security guard—making it clear he was protecting me and no one else. I admit I liked that. It made butterflies flutter in my stomach.
I don’t like Dante. I never have. He leers at me and it’s uncomfortable. At first, I thought I was just imagining it. After all, he’s in his twenties and I’m just fourteen. The more he comes around, the more he worries me out. I haven’t said anything to my father. I don’t want to make waves with the family business. It’s getting harder to ignore, though.
I’ll have to tell Zoe all about what happened tonight. She hates Dante, too. When I tell her what Niko did, it will probably make her laugh her ass off. She’s constantly saying that Dante needs to be brought down a peg or two. It’s not like I disagree, either. I wish he would just leave me alone and I’d never have to see him again. Judging by the way my father, Vic, and Niko were looking at him tonight, it might happen. I don’t know how DeLuca feels, but I’m positive that the others did not want Dante here.
I find myself hoping that means he will be gone soon…
CHAPTER5
Niko
By the time Maxwell pulls us into his office, I’m fuming. I keep my anger hidden—it never pays to let your emotions show—but I’m sure the air around me vibrates. Maxwell seems just as upset, and he’s not bothering to hide it. We barely have the door closed before Dante speaks.
“I’m sorry to barge in unannounced tonight, Uncle Antonio, but I didn’t know where else to turn.”
I don’t miss the way Maxwell rolls his eyes. We both know this is bullshit. Dante is trying to fuck things up for me. It wouldn’t take me much to shoot the asshole now and be done with it. I’m not stupid. Somewhere down the road, the two of us are going to clash and when it’s done, only one of us will be standing.
“Explain,” DeLuca orders, not bothering with small talk. Perhaps his nephew annoys him as much as he does me.
“My mother is a mess since my father’s death, and no one is finding out what happened. I want revenge, Uncle. It’s my right. I need men working under me to find out who did this to my father.”
“I’m handling it,” he snaps, and it’s not my imagination this time. He’sclearlynot happy.
“Uncle, every minute that goes by and my father’s killer isn’t brought down, the family becomes weak in the eyes of our enemies.”
“The family is anything but weak,” I growl. “Ifanyone tries anything, they’ll know that immediately.”
Dante’s lips curl in distaste as he looks at me. I smile coldly.
Come on motherfucker. Say something. All I need is a reason.
“What would you know about it? You’re just a grunt.”
“Odd, I thought you and I were on an even playing field within the family,” I respond mildly.
“You were wrong. I’m actually blood. I was born with a place in this family.”
