News of the Fight

Ria

She went through dinner waiting for it to end even though the food was as delicious as it always was. The Don kept talking to Philippe and Schwartz during the dinner so Ria peeked around at him surreptitiously from beneath her lashes, taking in the strong, muscled physique of her only lover, the chiseled features, the strong jaw. It was only when she looked up and met her mother’s amused look that she realized that her siblings and her Mumma, had caught onto how she was ogling the Capo.

She hastily lifted the glass of water and drank from it swiftly, too fast, which resulted in a coughing bout. That made everyone turn to her and mortified, she felt her face turn pink as Piers said in a low voice, “Get a hold on yourself, sis.’

Her Pappa’s cold gaze rested on her and she looked away, unable to meet his shrewd, assessing regard.

*

Philippe was trying hard to respond correctly to the Boss but all he could think of was the girl with the shining mass of blonde hair on the other side of