Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“What do you mean?” She’s angled toward me, listening intently, and a part of me doesn’t want to share this. It’s something I’ve been swallowing for a while now, but if I’m honest with myself, I can’t keep on hiding this feeling. I need to let it out or it’s going to poison my relationship with my family, and I don’t want that to happen.
“They visited, but soon the visits tapered off. I’d call and half the time nobody would pick up. They kept me involved in family business, but just barely. It felt like I was too much effort, and maybe that isn’t fair. A lot’s been going on out here and I can’t blame my siblings for being too busy. But I still feel like everyone left me behind, and maybe they were better off that way. Like now that I’m back, it’s more of an inconvenience than anything else.”
She’s shaking her head. “That can’t be true.”
“Maybe it’s not. Except I built Cage, right? I put that place together with my own hands, and my brother refused to let me run it. He kept Tommy at the top because Tommy earned good money. I went to prison, I did my time, I never once spoke about the Famiglia while behind bars, and I was rewarded with nothing.”
Frustration burns through me. I haven’t shared this with anyone else because I know how it sounds. It’s like I’m ungrateful, but that isn’t it. I owe a lot to my brother and my father for keeping me out of jail for the rest of my life, and I know Elena and Davide and Laura all tried to keep me in the loop. Even Simon did, in his own way and for his own reasons.
It’s still hard not to see how I’m on the outside. And that’s a product of going away for five years, I get that. It still pisses me off. It still fucking hurts.
“I’m sorry you’re going through that,” Claudia says and puts her other hand on top of mine. “But just so you know, I don’t think your family sees you that way. I think they’re just trying to find your place.”
“Just like I’m trying to find it too. I know, baby, I know, but my point is, I admire the way you’ve stuck by your sister no matter what. Not many siblings would do that. Mine sure as hell didn’t.”
She chews on her lip, clearly torn about something, and finally breaks out into a rueful smile. “I guess if I have any good qualities, it’s my stubbornness and my loyalty.”
“You have plenty more. Like that gorgeous ass of yours.”
She rolls her eyes and sits back. I grin at her, breaking the tension, and we start eating together. She seems better, and I feel better after getting all that off my chest. It’s not fair to hold that shit against my siblings, and from now on I’m going to do my best to leave the last five years behind and to earn my place in the Famiglia once again.
We do the dishes together. I’m not shy about squeezing her ass and kissing her neck, trying to distract her. It’s a little flirtation as a way to keep both our minds from the unpleasant shit going down. But once the meal’s been cleaned up, she turns and heads into her room again, and I start to wonder if she’s going to pull away from me again.
Instead, she emerges with a suitcase. “I made a decision.”
“We’re traveling to Italy?”
She gives me an annoyed look. “I’m moving in with you.”
My eyebrows raise. “You are?”
“I can’t keep waiting for Serena, right? I’ll keep going to Cage, but you’re right, I’ll be safer staying with you in the oasis.”
“Admit you just want to sleep in my bed.” I walk toward her and she tries to back away, but I grab her and pull her hips into mine.
“I like the amenities,” she says, her cheeks turning pink.
“I don’t love that you think of my dick as an amenity, but I’ll take it.”
“You’re a disgusting pig.”
I kiss her slow and hold her tight, forehead pressed to hers. “Damn right I am. Now let’s get out of here. If I’m getting you in my place, I’m going to take full advantage.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
I squeeze her ass tight and she laughs, wriggles away, and drags her suitcase into the hall.
Chapter 32
Claudia
It’s my first shift back at Cage after Serena’s warning. I figured I’d walk into the place and everything would feel different, but it’s a normal night. Rodrigo’s managing like always, Skinny’s manning the door, the girls are passing drinks and dancing, and I’m assigned bottle service. It’s an easy task and I don’t mind that the rich guys like to tip big. I feel uncomfortable for a little while, but quickly get lost in the familiar routine, and I start to forget all about why I was nervous to be here to begin with.