Who would’ve thought guys like feisty girls? I thoughtCinderellatypes were the ones snatched first, but it looks like not only gays are interested in me. “I still don’t.”
He elbows me playfully. “If what I heard is true, you no longer need to worry about idiots like me. Your boyfriend will snap their necks before they get anywhere near you.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Did Mr. Capone tell you to talk to me about Dante? I hope you’re not here to chastise Frank for my choices.”
“Mr. Capone?” Julij asks with a chuckle. “I guess you’re right. Nikolaj does look a bit like Al.”
Not unlike me, Julij doesn’t refer to his father asDad. He uses his name. That’s how they wanted it to be. I only useDadif I want to annoy Frank.
“And don’t worry. Nikolaj didn’t come all the way here to talk about your boyfriend. I can’t say he didn’t find it interesting, but it doesn’t matter. I won’t try to change your mind.” He finishes his champagne, takes my glass, and disappears to find the waitress.
He shakes hands with Adam, making me realize that not only has his behavior changed but his posture too. He’s no longer a frail, skinny boy. He stands straight, taking advantage of his height, and keeps his shoulders back, showing off his muscular chest. The blond hair is no longer a medium-length mess, trimmed on the sides and styled back in line with current trends. Allie would approve. She’d most likely eye his high cheekbones with a dreamy face, but she’s not here yet.
A moment later, Julij returns with alcohol and a plate of salmon canapés.
“I don’t want to sound rude—”
“Yes, you do.”
I elbow him a bit harder than he did me. “What do you have to say on the matter? Frank tries to make Dante look like an Egyptian plague, but his arguments hit a wall, and it’s not like your father can do more than voice his opinion. You can’t even do that while Mr. Capone is the boss, right?”
“Right.” He takes a packet of Marlboro out. “Shit, this is...” he motions to the cigarette. “One day, it’ll kill me, just like it’s killing Nikolaj. Mr. Capone has cancer, Layla.”
I rest my hand on his arm. “I had no idea.”
“He doesn’t have long left. That’s why we’re here. to inform Frankie that New York will soon be under my control.”
I don’t know what to say. My affiliation with Julij is, in ninety-nine percent, awful. I only got a glimpse of his real personality tonight, and even though he seems okay, I don’t know how to comfort him.
That’s if he needs comforting.
He snaps me out of my thoughts when he steps closer, minimizing the distance to less than a foot. “Don’t worry, sugar.” He touches my cheek, his thumb grazing the skin softly. “We’re all heading there.”
The air around us thickens as the atmosphere changes to an intimate one. Before I understand what he’s about to do, Julij wraps his hands around me, hiding his face in the crook of my neck. Relief washes over me like a cleansing waterfall. I half expected him to kiss me, and it’d be a shame to ruin my immaculate behavior tonight by shoving my elbow in his face. Frank wouldn’t approve.
I move my hands to his back, not to discourage the closeness. In our world, parents aren’t affectionate, but they are our parents. I can only guess how difficult it must be for Julij to wait for his father’s death. If it turned out Frank had a few months left, I’d be devastated.
“I’m sorry,” I say truthfully.
Our fathers are close, and even though they’re business partners first, there’s a mutual respect there. The real kind. Mr. Capone has been a guest at our house for years now. Besides his hands sliding too low down my back, he’s a pleasant man. He’s never hurt or offended me, but I refused to see it until now, hating all of Frank’s acquaintances on principle.
Julij moves away with a heavy sigh, taking a drag of his cigarette. “Frank and Dante’s conflict only brings trouble to the table. It’d be much more lucrative if they buried the hatchet. Maybe you’re the key.”
“Hell will freeze over before they make up.”
“You’re probably right. Neither of them is amicable but never say never. There are hundreds of examples in history where women saved the day.” He grabs my hand, pulling me toward the door. “Come on. It’s time to make a good impression.”
“It’s going to be a long night.”
“Well, good thing you have me to keep you company. You’d die of boredom otherwise.”
Explaining the connection that just formed between us in the short amount of time is impossible. A thread of understanding, like a spider’s web, weaves between us. Deep in my heart, I know it’ll stay there for years. When not acting like a jerk, Julij radiates positivity. He’s real, and even though I shouldn’t be this careless, I trust him.
Nikolaj whisks him away a moment later. I’m left with an army of pillars and three women too excited about the pink table setting... Allie finally joined the herd.
Admiring Tamara’s nails, I down another glass of champagne. Before she tells me which shop on Fifth Avenue she bought the varnish from, Allie drags me to the side to ask a million questions about Julij. As I expected, the dreamy eyes make an appearance. There’s no denying she loves Adam, but she likes to look.
At nine o’clock, the door to our house opens as the rest of the guests arrive. An abundance of well-dressed women and handsome men fill the space. There’s the bank director, the chief of police, and even the mayor. Not to mention all the criminals. An explosive mixture, yet everyone gets along well. As always.