“Ut-oh,” Frankie mutters, his mouth full of bread roll. “What’s going on?” Nico sits up straight to, his focus singularly on Christian now. I find myself doing the same. Christian takes a deep breath and looks around at us before focusing on me. “You’re coming to the house tomorrow,” he says, hi
I’ve always been an emotional eater, after all. And if I eat when I’m anxious? Then this morning, I’m probably going to eat the rest of this whole damn cake. “Cake for breakfast?” a voice asks, and I almost jump out of my skin, spinning towards Christian with the knife in my hands. “Don’t scar
Christian sighs, lifting his eyes again to mine and answering me honestly, I think. “They’re…women I date. Women who understand who I am, and what their role is in my life. And who are…compensated. In the form of very nice dates, and even nicer gifts.” “Oh,” I say, honestly kind of impressed. “Wow
“You do?” I ask, turning to him, my eyes sweeping over his very simple sweatshirt and pajama pants. Nico turns to me with a smirk, lowering the garment bag a little. “I mean, if you want we can let Frankie pick –“ “Nope!” I say, grabbing my coffee and hurrying to his side. “Which shoes am I brin
But Christian just laughs, turning to glance at me over his shoulder as Nico pulls out of the garage. “Don’t listen to him,” he murmurs, “I put the cash in a bank account for you, Iris, obviously. It will all be waiting for you, with interest, whenever you’re ready to spend it.” “Oh,” I say, my ey
“Can I please have a little more specific advice?” I beg, anxious now as I feel Nico start to slow the car. Christian nods, understanding. “Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to, and if you do, always tell the truth. But don’t tell too much truth – just as much as you need to satisfy the questions.
My breath starts to come fast as we walk up the stone steps to the mafia mansion. And not because I’m winded – I’m pretty fit, actually, what with all of the dancing. But the tension that builds in me – god, who the hell lives in a place like this? What control of wealth do they have, to be able
I step forward, not saying anything else to her, and Giana turns to watch me go. To my surprise, though, before we can make it very far down the hall two kids come streaking out of a door, their clothes unkept and their attitudes worse. “Mooooom!” the little girl screeches, and I turn to watch her