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I cock a brow. This would be the second event I’ve attended with him. My thoughts immediately go to Max and I wonder if this would make him start talking to me again.
“Why?”
“You’re in charge of the club girls and it’s important they start seeing you as a step above, otherwise they’ll never respect you. You’re my right-hand woman now, and that job entails you coming to functions with me.”
“When do we leave?” My chest blooms with pride. Dante is like the brother I never had. His words hit me in the middle of the heart. It might be the nicest compliment anyone has ever given me.
“Give me twenty,” he responds.
Thefightislikenothing I’ve ever experienced before. Men are locked in cages and fight until one of them has to be carried out for their family to nurse them back to health. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Savio looks so similar to Dante, the only exception being the scars he carries with pride. Another realization hits…the Mancini men are ruthless and respected among their peers. I can see it in the eyes of others as they watch them, like they wish they were them.
The club girls were sent to Dante’s house to prepare for the after party that Dante always holds after one of Savio’s fights. Normally, I’m the one who is making sure everything is ready for the brothers’ arrival, and I can’t stop thinking of all the things I should be double checking, but instead, I’m here.
I peek at my phone, sending off another quick text message to the girls. “You ever stop working and enjoy yourself?” Dante asks, but there is pride in his tone. I bump his shoulder, not responding.
Theclubgirlsseeme walk into the backyard and immediately turn their backs.I’m not here to make friends.I don’t care what they think, but deep down, it festers, no matter what I tell myself.This party isn’t about me.
I look up, seeing Dante on a large patio watching everyone below. I make my rounds, checking that everything was set up correctly.
People stand around on the brick patio and the lush green grass, mingling and drinking all the free booze like they are entitled to it. I’ve seen enough parties like this one to know how they go. I walk to the bucket of ice with all the different types of beer and grab some craft raspberry one with a grizzly on its can. The tab hisses as I crack it, before the cold liquid washes down my throat. Refreshing. Yet, I feel odd just standing here not doing anything, so I keep checking on the booze stock and everything else to keep busy.
“You’re not special, you know.” I turn to see one of the club girls. “You’re dispensable, while us girls? Dante owns us, we’re all investments, and here to stay.”
She’s glaring at me with hatred that I don’t deserve blazing in her eyes. But I get it. They’re all scared of what it means that I get to hang out with Dante, a privilege they all want and crave. I give her a large smile, showing my teeth, and her eyes flash with annoyance.
“Have you been liking your schedule?” She wanted to advance from waitress to dancer and I made that happen. She sucks in a breath, insulted I would hang something over her head. “I will take it away if you don’t get out of my face.”
This time it’s my eyes narrowing on her. She turns on her heels and walks in the other direction. That’s when my skin warms and I know Max is here. I search, looking for him on the edges of the party, but come up empty.
“Sienna…” Dante is standing behind me. “Come up, I want to introduce you to my family.”
I finish moving the ice around in the bucket and wipe my hands on my hips. Suddenly, I wonder if any of them will recognize me as the girl Max was supposed to kill.Would they finish the job for him?Entwined with my anxiety, fear slithers its way deep into my bones and my heart rate accelerates. I really like my job and Dante; I’m not ready for it all to disappear from me.
Dante leads me through the house and up toward the balcony, my feet wanting to refuse each step. The souls of my shoes feel like they’re cemented to the ground, every movement forced and needing more energy than the last.
“There’s no need to be nervous. They’ll love you.” Dante tries to calm my obvious nerves.
I nod reluctantly, my skin chilling with the unknown. We step onto the balcony, and I’m instantly drawn to Max, perched in the corner, his face rigid, stone like. He doesn’t smile like he normally does when he sees me.
“Congrats on your win tonight,” I turn to Savio, opening up the conversation, hoping it will lead everyone’s eyes away from me.
Savio nods his head, not saying a word. The silent type.
“This is Romeo,” Dante introduces.
I raise my hand to shake his. He’s staring at me, and my pulse speeds up. He knows. That’s why he’s staring and leaving my hand hanging. “Sienna. I’m the new bartender. Nice to meet you.” I lower my outstretched hand.
“Likewise.”
My hands fidget by running along my hips and back, looking for a pocket that doesn’t exist. “And this is Max.” I turn toward the direction Dante gestures. “He hates everyone, clearly the silent and brooding type.”
Max’s eyes flicker to his brother before they’re back on me. It feels like everyone is watching our exchange.
“Hi Max.” I hate the slow heat that rises from my chest and up my neck and force myself to turn, not wanting everyone to be able to read me like an open book.
“Once you get to know him, he’s not so scary.” Dante thinks I’m scared. My shoulders relax, knowing our secret is safe. I look up and find Romeo still assessing me.He’sthe scary one.
Cheers gather everyone’s attention below, and one of the girls has taken up residence on a table and is shaking her hips. It’s her signature move when she dances on stage.
