Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Trust me, Dario. I’ve lived a long life and I have wisdom to share. When they look back on the Di Lorenzo legacy there will be no question that every Don chosen throughout our bloodline was one to be reckoned with. Not one weak head of the family ever.
“Be proud of the role you will play. I’ve designed it just for you, mio nipote.”
“So this has nothing to do with Gio’s lifestyle?”
“Gio’s lifestyle. What lifestyle?” Nonno shakes his pinched fingers at me, his face turning red with anger. “What’s this lifestyle everyone wants to tell me about? I don’t have eyes? Gio hasn’t live under my roof for years? What do you people think I don’t know about mio nipote? His lifestyle.” He snorts. “What do you know of his lifestyle? Do you understand this…this garbage you spread?
“Why does everyone speak of my Michelangelo as if they have some knowledge I don’t? Lives have been ruined by jaws that just move. No facts, no understanding, no truth, just bocche in movimento. You watch your brother and learn.”
I’m left standing feeling confused as Nonno storms off away from me. He has one thing right. I don’t fully understand my brother’s life. I’ve envied what I’ve suspected, but to be honest, I’ve never asked Gio about his dolls, his relationships, or what really happens at his parties.
He’s never allowed me or Dante next to one of them. Papa Esposito is the one who told me what he assumes Gio is into and what Gio does at his parties in his free time. I’ve met a doll or two but as I think of it, I don’t believe I would have assumed the nature of their relationship if not for the information already in my head.
“Well, fuck me,” I breathe.
I might need to start asking Gio some questions. My curiosity is now burning. Dante comes over and pats my shoulder. I look into my twin’s eyes with my brows furrowed.
“What was that about?” he asks.
“Man, I don’t know. I mentioned Gio’s lifestyle, and he blew up on me.” I knit my brows farther. “Dante, have you ever asked Gio about his dolls?”
Dante searches my eyes for a second before a grin comes to his lips. He shrugs. “I never had to. I found out firsthand about them years ago.”
“Fuck outta here. You…you cheated on Bethany?”
He roars with laughter. “You still don’t get it. I thought you would be the first to figure it out.”
He pats my cheek and walks away, leaving me more confused. I run a hand through my hair, loaded down with a hundred more questions than I had before.
Carleen
I smile down at my phone as Dario texts me. I’ll be happy to get out of here for lunch with Toni and Blake, but I’m looking forward to my date with Dario tonight more.
“Oh, I know that look. Ooh, you nasty. You finally let Lou hit it. Now that’s what I’m talking about. If you can’t have the Italian dick you want, find the next one willing to smash them walls. Good for you.”
“Girl, hush,” I say, looking around to make sure no one hears her. “I am not sleeping with Lou. I’m not even dating him anymore.”
“Wait, so who has that smile on your face? It says you’re not just getting dick. You’re getting some good good. That fight his mama, good shit.”
“Why are you like this?” I groan and burst into laughter.
She shrugs. “I blame summer camp.”
“This is true. You spent all your time with the camp counselors thinking you were so grown.”
“I’m not even going to touch that one. I learned a lot.” She has a sly smile on her lips.
“Yeah, like how to disappear with the male counselors for hours without getting caught.”
“It was only one male counselor and that was when I turned sixteen. Don’t try to make me sound like a bigger ho than I am. Besides, we’re not talking about me. Nice try though. Who you texting, Oopies?”
“Noneya and Notchyo.”
“Ha ha. I have your none of your business and not your business. Auntie Pat, Oopies has a boyfriend,” she calls out.
“Oh, my God, how old are you? It’s like you’ve never grown up. Are you like this at work?”
She rolls her eyes at me and sucks her teeth. “You know better than that. I stay with my heel on their balls. It’s why you guys get all of the real me on the weekends.”
“I don’t want it.” I pout.
She moves closer and wraps her arm around my shoulders as if to hug me. She holds me tight in her embrace and snatches my phone. I yelp and try to toss her off me to get my phone back.
It’s locked, but just my luck, Dario texts me right as she holds the phone in her hand. My face heats. The last thing I said to Dario alluded to sex, I can only imagine what he has texted back.