“Paolo or—”
“Both.”
I bite my lip and wonder how stupid a move it was coming out here. Would he tell Paolo about myrecreational activities? Would it matter? DoIeven give a shit?
Yes, I do. As much as I want the man to trip off a ledge at the Grand Canyon, I’m afraid of him.
“So, are you… friends?”
“With Paolo?”
“Either one.”
“No.”
I nod, but I realize I’m holding my breath. I exhale and draw a long breath as discreetly as I can. “Do you talk to him?”
He snickers. “I’m not going to say anything to him about your weed, sweetheart.”
My jaw tenses at the pet name, but I’m too relieved to give it too much thought. “Thanks.”
“I have to ask, though, why aren’t you wearing the ring?”
I swallow and shrug. “It’s getting resized.”
“Ah.”
“Yeah.”
“You know what it kind of seems like to me?”
I suck in another breath and release it. “What’s that?”
“Kinda seems like you’re getting cold feet.”
I start to laugh at that. First a small giggle, but it builds to a real, belly-aching laugh. I bend over and press a hand to my stomach. Tears spring to my eyes. I don’t even know why I find it so funny. It wasn’t a joke. There isn’t a punchline. I think I’m laughing more manically than anything else.
When I come down from it, I look at Settimo and wipe my eyes. His brow is raised and there’s no trace of his charming smile.
“My feet aren’t cold. They’re frozen. And shackled. And there are guards at every exit.”
Settimo pauses for a few seconds, and then his eyes light up. “Oh,” he says. “It’s one ofthoseengagements.”
I make a gun shape with my index finger and thumb and flick it at him with a click of my tongue. “Bingo.”
“So how much did Daddy owe?”
Whatever amount of manic amusement I have in me dies with that question. My face hardens, and I don’t answer.
“Sorry, touchy subject?”
“Obviously.”
Settimo holds up his hands in mock surrender.
I tuck my hair behind my ears and hop to the ground. I glance at the joint but don’t bother picking it up. It has to be getting close to time, and I’d rather not have to explain it to my father or Paolo.
“Thanks for the conversation, but I should probably get back.”