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He scrunches his nose up. “Sounds boring.”
“What are you two muttering about?” Luca asks.
“Boring fucking books,” Leo says, making me dislike him even more.
Luca smirks. “He’s only saying they’re boring because he can’t read.”
“Bullshit,” Leo says, but there’s some weight behind his retort, suggesting Luca is on to something.
“You’ve got to be pretty smart to write a book,” Luca says, giving me the kindest smile yet. “And I love thrillers, so if you need anyone to read it, count me in.”
I smile as it’s kind of him to offer, although my book is nowhere near ready to be seen by anyone’s eyes but my own. “Thanks, it’s not finished yet. But I might take you up on that,” I say, not wanting to reject him immediately.
He nods, and a silence falls between us.
Leo clears his throat. “You will get on with Camilla and Mia, I’m sure.”
I swallow hard, assuming those are my two stepsisters. “Where are they tonight?”
“They couldn’t make it. Camilla lives in Maine, and Mia is out of town with her husband and son for the weekend.”
I nod in response. “I see.”
Luca’s eyes shift toward my cleavage. “So, little sister, do you have a boyfriend?”
My stomach churns as it’s gross how he looks at me. He’s my stepbrother, but it’s clear both of these guys don’t give a shit.
Remy clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention to him. “Enough polite chit-chat, and let’s cut to the chase, shall we?”
I swallow hard as my eyes meet Remy’s, and it feels like my whole world is on fire. “The chase?” I question.
He nods. “Yes, you’re a Morrone now, so you’ll act like one.” His eyes narrow. “Women in the Morrone famiglia don’t write books. They aspire to be a good wife to their future husband, and that’s all.” He sounds just like her.
Mom beams. “Indeed, a very rich husband, of course.”
I feel like murdering her, as she has lost the plot. The last thing that matters to me in this world is money. I want happiness and a partner who cares about me, not some rich businessman who couldn’t give two shits.
“That’s chauvinistic and old-fashioned. I intend to marry a man who loves me, and I don’t care how much money he has.”
Luca chuckles. “Clearly, you have no idea what world your mom has married into.”
My brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
Leo snorts. “You can’t be serious? Are you saying you have no idea who we are?”
I swallow hard as everyone looks at me like I’m an airhead. “I don’t know who you are.”
Remy glances at Mom. “You didn’t tell her?”
She shrugs. “It’s a difficult thing to bring up.”
“We’re mobsters, Ella,” Remy says so casually it takes me a while to register what he said. When it finally does, it feels like my entire world tilts on its axis.
“Mobsters?” I repeat. The same kind of people that killed Dad. Rage coils through my gut, directed entirely at my pathetic excuse of a mother. She makes me sick.
“How could you?” I ask, glaring at her. “Especially after what happened to Dad.”
“Quiet, Ella. I don’t want to hear a word about it.” Her eyes narrow. “You’ll be a good girl and fit into this family, which will probably involve an arranged marriage.”
