Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 59304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Have you heard the news?” Eddy says darkly. “That girl from Evermore is running the entire show now. Her boss is sick, from what I understand. Let’s hope she doesn’t mess it up.”
“You worry too much,” Rocco replies. They’re the same age, but Rocco has a full head of hair and clear, bronze skin, a mouth full of straight, white teeth. Eddy looks at least ten years older.
“You should worry more. It’s your job,” Eddy fires back.
“We’re here to have fun.”
“Incorrect. We’re here so that Vittorio and Marcela can show a unified front to the Family. This is a political event as much as a personal one.”
“She’ll do fine,” I say.
Eddy looks at me sideways. “What are you basing this analysis on?”
“Instinct.”
Eddy laughs grimly. “I prefer data.”
“Just give her a chance.”
My godfather claps me on the arm. “I trust Dario’s instincts.”
The boat tour takes us around the island, the sunlight glittering down over the blue waves, making the sand seem to glow yellow. We go ashore on the other side of the island, where Evermore Events has set up shaded marquees with refreshments and a small buffet.
“Isn’t this wonderful?” Mother says, approaching me with a coconut in her hand, a straw sticking out of it.
I wrap my arm around her and give her a squeeze. “It’s great–it looked like you were having fun.”
“That girl is delightful,” Mother says. “So funny.”
“I agree.”
“You’ve met her?”
“Briefly, when I was snorkeling this morning.”
“How lovely.”
I look across the marquees–past the Family, past their wives, around forty people in total–to where Siena talks with one of the catering staff. She’s wearing a dress that emphasizes the shape of her breasts and her ass. It’s probably not designed to do that, but that’s where my gaze goes.
“It’s just so nice to get away,” Mother goes on. “To forget about the city.”
“I agree. I’m glad you’re having fun. Forty years of marriage–you and father deserve it. How is he? Managing to forget about work?”
“As much as he can. You know how he is.”
I do, because it’s how I’m forced to be a lot of the time. As the prince of the Bianchi family, I’ve got a heavy weight on my shoulders. I give my mother another squeeze. “You’re right–it’s good to get away.”
I approach the buffet table, getting close enough to Siena that I can hear her voice. “…doing a fantastic job, but I think we need to circulate with some nibbles so that people who don’t want to queue for the buffet don’t have to. I’m happy to pitch in with that.”
I walk up behind her. “Excuse me, Siena? I’d like to make a complaint.”
She turns with a scowl… then, when she sees it’s me, her face lights up. A moment later, the scowl returns, but it’s forced. She seems determined not to smile at me.
“It’s the merman,” she says with an air of irony. “Did you really want to make a complaint?”
“Yes–you haven’t eaten anything.”
“I’m too busy.”
“You should take a few minutes for yourself.”
“Are you my babysitter?”
“It seems like you need one. I don’t want you starving yourself.”
She needs to feed her perfect body, her wide hips, the mouthwatering thickness of her thighs.
“I’ve got things to do, sir.”
“Sir,” I repeat. “Ah–I get it. Now that you know I’m with the wedding party, you’re going to show me some respect.”
She shrugs. “I’m just doing my job.”
“What if I said I was Vittorio Bianchi’s son? Would you eat something for me then?”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “You’re his son?”
I nod, trying to maintain my good mood. Honestly, I don’t like being defined as the Bianchi Prince. But she was going to find out eventually.
“Yes, I am, and my father tends to listen to me. So–eat something. You’ve earned it.”
She sighs. “Maybe I can take a minute or two.”
“I’ll make you up a plate.”
I stack two plates with food, then look around for her. She’s gone to the very edge of the marquee, sitting alone.
“Why’d you run away?” I set her plate down.
“It’s not my place to be at the party. I should be invisible, making sure everything goes without a hitch. That’s my only concern.”
“You’re not invisible.”
Her lip twitches at my comment. “Thanks, I guess.”
“I heard you’re taking the reins for Evermore.”
“My boss is sick, so yeah, the weight is on my shoulders now. I won’t lie, I’m nerv—” She catches herself. “I’m going to make this the best event your parents could hope for.”
“Relax, I’m not going to report anything you say.”
“Seriously, I’m going to do my best.”
“I’m sure you’ll do great, Siena, but you need a work-life balance too. I hope you find time to enjoy yourself.”
“I’m not here to enjoy myself.”
“If you were, what would you do?”
“Huh?”
“What do you do for fun?”
“Fun,” she repeats like the concept is foreign to her.
I chuckle. “It’s this thing where you don’t walk around looking like you’re searching for someone to punch.”