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That’s when Tony finally saw me next to him. Surprised, he had to blink several times before his eyes shifted between us ladies. “This world is too small.”
His words were quiet as he stretched his gaze to the ceiling. Astrid hooked her thumb toward him. “We’re cousins. Well, kind of. I’m his uncle’s bastard child, so I’m not looked at as family. He was on a trip on the East coast when he met my mom and knocked her up. If you ask him if I exist, he’ll deny it until he dies, so I live my life in peace and pretend he doesn’t exist too.”
“Besides the family fund afforded you an easier life with your mom,” he reminded her.
“Right. Money is what every little girl dreams of when her father never comes around.” Placing my book in the bag, I decided it would be best if I left them to it.
“Thank you for the book, Astrid. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” Turning my head to Tony, I smiled lightly. “Please be kind to my friend. I only have a few, so I’d like them happy.”
“No worries, Emilia. I’ve been trying to find her to make sure she’s okay. I just wish she would’ve said something to ease my mind.”
“Only you worried, Tony.” Astrid let out a heavy exhale as her shoulders sank before she turned to me. “Leave it to you to find the one family member of mine that actually has a heart. Is he who you’ve been talking to?”
“One of them. Tony and I have only bumped into each other twice—this being the third time.”
Her nostrils flared slightly, but she locked her jaw. Before she could say anything, the door to her store opened again, minutes to closing. To my surprise, I found Kasey. She wore a wrap dress over her work attire like she was on her way there.
“Kasey?” I blinked to make sure she really stood there. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“One of the pipes burst.” She batted her hand my way. “They’re closed for the night to get the repairs done, so I’m free, and Astrid is closing soon. I figured we ladies could use a night out.”
“I’m in!” Astrid knew she’d need more than one drink after running into her cousin again. Her cousin that I had coffee and shared confident moments with. “Tony, it was not great to see you, so can you come back tomorrow to talk about it?”
“Of course, Astrid.” Dipping his chin, he swiveled his body to leave. “Emilia, this wasn’t how I expected to see you again, but it was a pleasure nonetheless.”
Grabbing my hand, he kissed the top of it before exiting the building. The three of us watched him go just as Astrid pulled out a bottle of vodka from below her register desk. Taking a heavy swig, she winced. “I’m up for forgetting as long as no questions are asked. I hate talking about my family drama.”
“More drinking and less talking? Say less. It’s like you know my love language.” Kasey took the bottle and chugged too. Watching them drink, I knew I’d be their designated driver for the night to make sure they were okay. They’d want our standard place with pizza and drinks as we sat in the corner to bullshit. Knowing I just spent my extra income on the book for Draven, I wouldn’t be ordering drinks for myself. Heck, I wouldn’t be eating more than a slice of pizza.
Texting Tim, I told him I made last minute plans with Kasey. He never responded, and I knew he didn’t care enough to look at my text during his gaming. Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I nudged my head toward the door. “Come on, I’ll drive while you wallow in your shots.”
“She completes us,” Kasey whispered loudly, knowing I had never been one to drink too much.
eighteen
Tony
18
TonyShe was already in route to the counter, so I walked right up to her and joined. She read while waiting her turn in the long line, so I just studied her for a minute. This woman had festered her way right into my soul, and her complexity left me breathless in her absence. Often clutching my chest, my heart proclaimed it was more than willing to allow another in for my love to reach. Love might be too strong right now, but I knew this woman had the potential of captivating me completely. Draven knew this because he had already fallen for her. He knew I would too.
We rarely liked the same female, but he knew this woman wasn't the same as the others we tried. Emilia had this glow about her where we knew sharing wouldn't become a competition. It brewed within the softness of her nature. She radiated how big her heart was and the infinite capacity she'd have for loving multiple people. In our eyes, she'd be the unicorn for the menage we wanted to embrace.
Clearing my throat, I announced I stood beside her. She looked up like she feared she forgot to move with the line and blocked people. When she saw me, her worry turned into elation. Her emotions were always visible on her face, and I relished being able to read them all. Nothing compared to her orgasming to my name, but I'd see that for myself soon enough.
"Antonio!" Lurching her arms forward, she embraced me. My arms felt awkward when moving around her slim frame, but I delighted in the feel of her body heat against mine.
"I hope I'm not bothering you, but I came this way for a meeting I have soon. I hoped to say hi before heading over there. And I promise to leave you enough time to read."
"Oh, you're never a bother. Seeing you just made my whole day!" She beamed as we followed the flow of the line toward the front. "I was actually hoping to see you again, so I started reading as soon as I came in. I figured I'd either get to enjoy my book longer or your company."
"I'm glad because I couldn't wait to have your company again too."
"As long as you didn't come to ask me questions about Astrid, I consider that a good thing."
Ah, my estranged cousin, Emilia had no idea existed in my dark world as a shadow. Astrid never understood she was lucky to evade the family business. She'd never know the crippling heartache, being forced into a life of bullets and blood like I had to grow used to. She got to open a fucking bookstore and live in a city where no one gawked at her presence on the street.
"Astrid and I have our things to work out, but that's our business. I do hope she'll speak to me more now that she knows I'm near, but I won't force her to. I'll settle with you telling me if she's doing good."
