Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Luisa was as usual a bit shy when she greeted Santino. She was a good girl through and through, and I loved her for it. Since she’d found out about our forbidden kiss, she had even more trouble interacting with Santino, though he had always intimidated her. “I’m nervous. This is my first real party.”
I gave her an encouraging smile. “You’ll be fine. Just have fun.”
She nodded, clutching her purse as if it were her lifeline.
Santino headed to the Scuderi mansion next. It was where Riccardo and Rocco still lived with their mother after their father had died. They were already waiting in front of the door and raced down the stairs with huge grins. Of course, they didn’t have to sneak out of the house like Leonas had done. Their mother had enough to do getting past her marriage trauma to take care of them properly.
There wasn’t any room for them on the back seat, and Santino snarled at them when they tried to get into the passenger seat, so they had no choice but to sit in the legroom in front of us. Riccardo grinned and exchanged a look with his brother when he pressed up to my legs for lack of room.
“You better keep your excitement down,” Leonas muttered.
“Oh he will,” I said. “Or he’ll find out how sharp my heels are.”
Riccardo exchanged another look with Rocco but they didn’t get a chance to say anything because Santino hit the gas.
If he thought driving like a madman would ruin the party for me, then he was very wrong.
Luisa and I ditched the boys as soon as we arrived at Clark mansion, except for our shadow Santino of course.
We picked up drinks right away and headed toward the dance floor.
Luisa took a hesitant sip from the white wine bowl.
“Take it slow,” I told her. I didn’t want to be responsible for her passing out from too much alcohol. I’d never seen her drink before. I took out my phone. “Selfie time. I want to send a few photos to Sofia to cheer her up.”
Her marriage with Danilo was still a bit bumpy, and I was sad that she couldn’t be here with us. With her now living in Indianapolis , we’d hardly see each other often, especially now that she had wife duties. We made funny faces into the camera and I sent the five most ridiculous ones to Sofia.
I was glad I didn’t have to marry soon. I guess I had to thank Clifford for that. “I’m glad you aren’t married yet,” I told Luisa.
Luisa made a face and shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind getting married, but Mom is being super picky when it comes to possible husbands.”
No wonder considering her backstory with an abusive rapist of a first husband. I didn’t say it. Luisa never talked about her biological father.
“You’ll be married soon enough. And you could just pick a husband yourself. I doubt your mom would say no if you fell in love or in lust.”
Luisa flushed at the mentioning of lust. I laughed and nudged her. “You’re really going to be the blushing virgin in your wedding night. If I was gay, I’d marry you. You’re just the cutest.”
Luisa nudged me back, looking even more embarrassed. “Do you know anyone?”
I shook my head in response. I hardly knew anyone, but that wasn’t the worst thing. That way I could relax and not worry too much about every detail of tonight making the rounds in our circles and eventually finding its way to my parents. With Santino in my hands, my life had improved considerably. Even his increased grumpiness because of my little blackmailing scheme was worth it.
“Where’s Santino? Shouldn’t he be watching us?” Luisa asked worriedly as she looked around. Santino had agreed to watch us both tonight so we wouldn’t draw too much attention to us with a second bodyguard. It had only taken a little convincing on my part for Luisa’s mom to agree. Adults always thought I was the good girl so they gave me what I wanted, even the overprotective Bibiana.
I allowed my gaze to search the dance floor then drift to the bar on the patio. Most guests were outside, enjoying the warm summer night. I didn’t see Santino anywhere. Only Leonas and his two sidekicks were chatting to a couple of girls. Suspicion filled me. Luisa was right, Santino had agreed to watch. Though, I doubted anyone would attack a senator’s house to get to me. Where was he? Either he’d hidden away in the furthest corner for some peace and quiet, or… he wouldn’t dare… most of the guests were around my and Clifford’s age, only a few seemed to be a couple of years older. If Santino banged a girl around my age, I’d make his life hell.