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“Hey, Lena,” I greet, walking over to her.
“Hey, how was your day?”
We head into the living room and take a seat on the couch. I tell her about going to the art gallery and a new deal I might be getting with a company looking to purchase some pottery pieces. I don’t tell her about the strange man who approached me. Lena and I have known each other for a long time, since we were kids. But she’s my brother’s fiancée, and while I trust her, there’s a possibility she could tell him.
“So, where’s everyone?” I ask, pinching Cassie’s cheeks.
She giggles and my heart melts. I love her so freaking much. Seeing Cassie makes me wish for kids of my own. But not yet.
“Roman and the guys are out doing whatever it is they usually do. I texted him a few minutes ago and he told me they’llbe home soon. Oh, and I talked to Maria and my dad. They’ll be back in time for Cassie’s birthday.”
“That’s nice,” I say.
My mom went on a trip to Milan a couple of weeks ago, and I kind of miss her. When she’s here, she tries to dictate every aspect of my life from what I wear to the way I speak. But mothers do that, I guess. And while our relationship has some bumps, she’s also my rock. Plus, she’s the only parent I have left.
Elena’s telling me about the party that she’s planning for Cassie’s birthday. It took a lot of convincing to get Roman to have a party in the first place. His major problem was that it’s a security risk, Then there’s the fact that we’re planning their wedding as well.
My eyes trail down to the diamond on her finger. It’s simple, yet elegant. And honestly it’s so perfect. It took a lot for her and Roman to get to the point where he was getting down on one knee and asking for her hand in marriage. But they got there. And they’re amazing together.
“We should have a theme for the party,” Elena states. “Cassie loves playing with her pink doll. I was thinking we have a pink party. Everyone wears pink, the decorations are pink.”
That makes me grin. Elena and her crazy ideas.
“I’m not saying I hate it, Lena. But can you imagine my brother wearing a pink suit? How would you even get him into it?”
“I’ll convince him,” she says, waving a hand nonchalantly.
“You won’t,” Roman retorts, tone resolute as he walks into the room.
He drops onto the couch beside Elena. Tony appears at my side next, wrapping an arm around my neck and cutting off some of my air circulation.
“Ow, dude!” I say, slapping his arm away.
He chuckles, reaching for the baby in my lap, and grabs her before I can protest. I glare at him and let out a huff of irritation. Tony might be Elena’s older brother, but it’s almost like he’s mine as well. I grew up with three insufferable ones. I’m sure the last one came home with them, but Michael’s so anti-social and quiet, he doesn’t like spending time with people unless he has to.
“I kind of like the idea of a pink party,” Tony muses, letting Cassie squeeze a finger in her fist. He looks up at us and grins. “Chicks dig guys in pink, right?”
I make a face. “Ugh, you’re disgusting.”
“You mean amazing, Rosy. Amazing.”
“Why does a party even have to have a theme?” Roman asks, sounding exasperated.
We both turn to the couple arguing quietly. Elena’s sitting next to him with one leg on his thigh, and her eyes have that stubborn look in them. Unfortunately, that look is also mirrored in my brother’s eyes.
“Because it does. Don’t argue with me, babe.”
“I already agreed to this party,lupacchiotta. A pink theme sounds excessive. And I have a feeling you’ll decide on something that’ll drive me crazy. Like a masquerade.”
Elena makes a face like that’s not a bad idea and Roman groans, head falling back. I laugh. He can make all the complaints he wants, but I know he’ll do whatever she asks.
“What were you up to, anyway?” Elena asks him. “You said you’d be back early.”
For a minute, I think he’ll evade the question. Especially if it has something to do with death or illegal activities. I’m used to him being vague about what his business entails. But to my surprise, he answers.
“We were preparing for a meeting with someone. It’s in a week.”
“Who?” I immediately ask.
