揝he抯 a Capo抯 daughter,?Luisa said almost shocked, then smiled awkwardly.
揟hanks for the heads up,?Santino drawled. He cast his eyes skywards, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath. 揌ow much longer will it take you to stalk these boys? I don抰 have the patience for awkward pre-teen crushes.?
He hadn抰 bothered lowering his voice. Clifford and the other guys slanted us looks and then the Asian boy nudged Clifford with a grin and they all began snickering.
I scowled at Santino. 揋reat, now he thinks I have a crush on him.?
I hopped off the barstool and headed toward the car, Luisa hot on my heels. Santino sauntered after us, almost bored. 揑sn抰 that the case??
I shoved my fists into my sides. 揘o, it抯 not. Mom and Dad are considering marrying me to Clifford Clark, the blond boy. He抯 a politician抯 son.?
Santino slanted me a look, his face reflecting boredom. 揑抦 sure they have their reasons,?he said in a manner that suggested he didn抰 care what they were, nor that I抎 marry at all.
I bit my lip and shut up. Santino had a way to make me feel stupid and like a little child without actually insulting me. His gaze said more than a thousand words.
The strange thing was, while Clifford抯 rudeness today made me want to stay away from him, Santino抯 abrasiveness only made me more eager to be around him.
When Mom came into my room that evening to talk about Clifford, I didn抰 tell her about my doubts. I could tell how important it would be for the Outfit and I wanted to do my part in helping.
揟his won抰 be public for a long time. And from what I gathered the Clarks won抰 tell Clifford now. They want to wait until he抯 older and can grasp the reasons for their decision.?
I nodded. For people outside of our mafia world, arranged marriages were rare. His parents probably worried he wouldn抰 be able to handle the situation or let something slip to others by accident. I had to admit I was glad he wouldn抰 know until later. That way I wouldn抰 have to talk to him again soon.
I was proud that my parents knew I was strong enough to handle my future like this. I wanted to keep making them proud, even if that meant putting up with Clifford.
Five years.
Five fucking years.
Today was the anniversary of my first day as Anna Cavallaro抯 bodyguard, and as if she抎 marked down the date, she did her very best to annoy the living shit out of me. Not that she didn抰 do this on any other day of the year, but today she went the extra mile.
I could see her smug face in the rearview mirror. Gritting my teeth, I focused on the long driveway that took us to the Cavallaro lake lodge.
I missed my Camaro, the subtle vibrations, the uncomfortable seat, the impatient hum of the engine. But on the job, I was forced to drive a Mercedes limousine so Anna and Leonas felt safe and comfortable. Wouldn抰 want their pampered asses to feel the bumpy road.
揇o you know if any of the guards have smokes??Leonas asked.
揑 think one of Sofia抯 guards smokes,?Anna said, casting a glance at me. Sometimes I wanted to grab the brat, throw her over my legs, and give her a thrashing.
揑f I catch either of you smoking, I抣l spank both your asses with my fucking belt.?
揔inky,?Anna said, and for a second, I wasn抰 sure I抎 heard her right. Had she really said that?
I rammed my foot down on the brakes with more force than necessary, jerking the car to a premature stop before the parking slots.
Anna and Leonas both jolted forward. The latter hitting his thick head against the passenger seat because he抎 ignored my order to put on his belt.
揊uck, what was that for??Leonas grumbled.
I got out without a word before I could do something Dante would make me regret. Samuel抯 car and that of his sister Sofia抯 personal bodyguard Carlo were already parked in front of the lodge. Samuel was Dante抯 nephew and the brooding type, so I wouldn抰 have to worry about him grating on my nerves too.
Anna got out as well, cocking an eyebrow at me as she smoothed that ridiculous checkered Chanel costume she wore. 揧ou seem on edge, Sonny.?
I gave her a sharp smile, swallowing a very harsh reply.
揋et inside.?I nodded toward the front door of the big timber lodge. 揂nd carry your own luggage.?
I headed inside, not waiting for them. In my wake, I could hear them bickering because of the luggage.
Low male voices came from the living room and I found Samuel and Carlo inside.
揝antino,?Samuel said with a curt nod. 揝tressful day??He scanned my face.
揧ou have no idea.?
Anna and Leonas came inside, the latter carrying his and Anna抯 suitcase. I抎 only packed a bag.
揌i Samuel,?Anna said with a bright smile and hugged her cousin. Then she gave Carlo a friendly smile and shook his hand. She could be charming, I had to give it to her, little miss perfect.