If they had their suspicions about me, they wouldn’t be sharing their drinks with me.
That’s the good news.
But Rolando has no idea that I am digging into his past.
“I don’t want Kirill near my fucking daughter anymore,” Rolando says as I blink twice in shock. “I don’t trust the fucker.”
I slide back into my chair, forcing my smile back. This man is finally getting into the same mindset as me.
Give or take a few differences.
“Giovanni. Please come to our restaurant tomorrow. Bring whoever you’d like. We will all meet there at eight for dinner.”
“Nina!” Rolando shouts at his daughter, making me look back in her direction. She strides toward the office, trying to pull the sides of her bathing suit to cover her almost naked body.
I take a long blink, realizing no matter how much she crosses her arms to cover up her body, nothing gets covered.
Her nipples harden before her arms cross over her chest. That still doesn’t help—it only pushes her breasts up, leaving very little to my imagination.
“Wear your best tomorrow.” Rolando opens his laptop, excusing both me and Raymond.
Nina’s stance freezes as she stands there looking sweet and innocent. Whatever her father says, she will do.
My eyes narrow at her, and my fingers form a fist.
I know what I want, and I will get it one way or another.
15NINA
Expensive cars fill the parking lot of my papa’s restaurant. Dinners like this can go one of two ways.
One: Someone dies.
Two: It’s a nice family dinner.
I walk toward the entrance, focusing on my balance in the tall heels I decided to wear. Papa said to dress my best, and for whatever reason, I did.
Raymond opens the door for me. Sylvia pushes her way in front of me.
When I see her walk off, I pull my cousin aside. “Ray, what was all that about?” I ask, trying not to meddle. I just think it’s odd for him. Raymond is the kind of guy to have fun no matter the situation. He is careless, but in a fun and relaxed way. He normally has a new girl every time I see him, just like my brother.
That’s why I worry. I have seen him with Sylvia consistently over the past three months. I saw her with my brother a couple of weeks ago.
“Nina, just having fun,” he says.
“I worry about—”
“Don’t worry. I already know everything. That’s what makes itfun.”
The shake of my head turns into a nod as a low laugh falls from my lips.
“You need to stop believing in this romance shit you read about.”
My mouth drops open as I scoff, “Let a girl dream, Ray. What the hell?”
“Let’s go sit, yeah?”
I follow Raymond to the table. I take a seat immediately, trying to avoid doing what he’s doing—saying his “hellos” to many of our family members.