“Because of her, Hunter was nearly killed.”
“If she hadn’t been there, they would have killed him just to send a message,” I growl. “Your real problem is that all three of us are dating her and it’s not normal by your rules. Don’t twist this.”
“This kind of relationship breeds jealousy. I don’t think your brother would hurt you, but if you all were to get in a fight, would you hold onto the girl, your brother, or Lief.”
I shake my head. That would never happen. It’s impossible. Valerie would never ask us to choose sides. If there was a real issue, we’d handle it the right way. My dad must read that on my face because he holds up his hand.
“In your position, you have to plan for the long run, son. As your father and the previous boss, I will tell you that we keep things simple for a reason. It makes things clean. Per American law, she can only marry one man. You will lose business partners and their generosity over this. Do whatever you will in private, but be smart.”
“I’m plenty smart. My personal life isn’t anyone’s business.”
“You and Hunter are bachelors with money. You are also mafia members. You don’t have a personal life. Everything you do outside of that house, anything that you do inside that carries into the public eye ... it’s news.”
I rub my forehead.
My father nods. “Every day, you’ll learn that being the boss isn’t a privilege. It’s a responsibility.”
He pulls out Vodka and pours a glass for each of us. I recognize the top-shelf bottle. I take a long drink as I try to chase the knowledge of what my father has thrown me into with something less bitter.
Better make it two shots just to make sure I can handle the rest of this conversation.
VALERIE
I’m still grumpy about last night as I go to class in the morning. It’s Friday, I should be excited, should be all kinds of ready to go and ready to have fun. But weekends don’t mean a thing when my men have their schedules.
Especially when that schedule takes Chase away while I’m in the shower. No warning or explanation. Lief just tried to distract me ... well. He and Hunter successfully distracted me with another round of sex, but eventually, that will wear off.
Like right now.
When a guy in class starts tapping his pen, I can feel my remaining nerves starting to fry. He leans over, showing his dark skin behind the hoodie and well-styled hair, and I nearly snap at him. My face may say to knock it the fuck off, but he only smiles.
“This is the most boring lecture I’ve ever heard. I think the T.A. could get me more excited about clinical psych.”
“Maybe if you actually paid attention, instead of playing Rock Star with your pen, you’d learn something.”
He chuckles, looks me over, then leans back in his chair. Oh well. If he falls, that’s on him, not me. I get through the rest of class without snapping, but it definitely takes some effort. I keep telling myself it’s practice for the next time I have to deal with Mr. Volkov or Vanya or anyone mafia related.
That works until I start heading to my car. The budding drummer from Clinical Psych steps in front of me. “So, you’re a cute thing. How did you manage to get into a senior course?”
I shove past him. “By working my way up to senior.”
“Really? I’ve never seen you cramming in the library or in half the classes I’ve taken.”
“The magic of a big campus.”
“But you look kinda familiar.” I pause at that, then shake my head and keep walking.
People are bound to notice a few tabloids and think they remember me. But it’s easy enough to say ‘oh no, I just look like that girl’ and keep going. Most haven’t thought about it twice.
Elaine rushes to me, looks at the guy, and blinks a few times. “Hi, Andre.”
“Hey, gorgeous. When’s the next party?”
“Maybe this weekend.”
“Think we can steal this sweet thing?” He looks me over again, licking his bottom lip and arching an eyebrow.
“Um.” Elaine looks at me. Of course,sheknows I’m taken, but her eyes are begging me. “Maybe.”