Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“You all good in here?”
I lift my gaze and find Rico standing in the doorway, looking sexy as sin in a pair of black shorts and a light-blue polo shirt. It’s the most relaxed I’ve seen him since I’ve met him.
All thoughts of turning back time fade away. I inhale deeply. What were the chances of my accepting a dare to take his car?
Maybe this was meant to be. My heart begins to race as he moves into the room and stands before me. He reaches to pull me up from my seat and wraps his arms around me. I look up at him shyly and get caught in his gaze.
“What?” he says as he searches my face.
“Nothing.”
He pinches my chin between his fingertips. “Come on. Let’s go. I want to get you to Pop’s so I can handle some calls and then I’m taking you out for our first date.”
“That’s not going to be against the rules?”
“No. We’re going somewhere my uncle won’t know anything about. I have some people I think you should meet.”
CHAPTER 9
Change the Plan
Rico
“Bro, why the fuck are we staying at Uncle Federico’s?” my cousin groans into the phone.
“Stop whining like a little pussy. He’s not worried about us. Nothing is going to change,” I laugh.
I jog down the stairs from my room after unpacking my things. Eduardo and Aldo’s plane just landed, and Aldo called to let me know they’ve arrived.
“I didn’t come to Miami to hang with my fucking uncle. Why can’t we stay at your place?”
“I’m having some work done,” I lie.
I’m not able to tell him I’m using that as an excuse so my uncle doesn’t get suspicious. If I allow him and his brother to stay at my place, it will look crazy. This is where I need to be, so everyone will be here with me.
“That shit couldn’t wait? Fuck it. What are we doing tonight?”
“I have plans. You’ll see when you get here. Now get off my phone. I have shit to do.”
I pull the phone from my ear and hang up. I want Oni to meet my cousins. Eduardo and Aldo are more like brothers to me.
None of this shit has ever come between us. I hope that it never does. Our other cousin, now that’s another story.
Time will tell there. Moving to the French doors that lead out to the pool from this room, I stop and stare out. Oni is sitting out by the pool with my younger cousin, Emilia.
I should have known Uncle Emilio would have her come to stay to have eyes on Oni. My pop probably agreed to make Oni feel more comfortable. Emilia just turned seventeen.
She’s your typical Mafia princess. She can do no wrong in our family’s eyes. Emilia doesn’t take any shit, but she’s a sweetheart under it all.
She’ll make a great companion for Oni. They already seem to be hitting it off.
“How did I know you would return with her?” my pop says as he comes to my side.
“What, you don’t want your only son under your roof? Come on, Pop. You know you miss me,” I say and turn to him with a wide smile.
He slaps my cheek and grunts. “This face. If I didn’t love you, I’d punch you right in it. What were you thinking?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know Emilio. You don’t show him your hand. You never show a weakness.” He points toward Oni. “She is a weakness.”
“Pop—”
He holds a hand up and shakes his head. “Come, take a walk with me. We need to talk.”
I sigh and follow him from the room. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I stroll beside him quietly. I knew this was coming.
“She’s pretty. I lot prettier than I thought she would be. Your plan needs to be adjusted. There’s no way you’re walking into a room and she doesn’t pull more attention than necessary,” Pop starts.
I thought about this myself. I had planned to have Oni on my arm, but after my uncle’s reaction, I’m second-guessing myself. Oni doesn’t need to pull unwanted attention if she’s going to disappear mid-engagement.
“What if she doesn’t come in on my arm? Listen, I can arrive and give the signal when our targets are all in the room. Then she can get the list, load up, and arrive after.
“By the time anyone realizes their shit is missing, she’ll be at the party with me, and no one will suspect her.”
“That’s a great idea, but there’s one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve never been a fool. I know you’ve either claimed the girl or intend to. Anyone looking to push your buttons will see they can use her. I think it might be better if I’m the escort. I’ve been known to have a pretty young face on my arm,” he says.
“Not this young,” I bite out.