“Not for you,” Rome counters, and I laugh.
“I did this,” I confirm.
I realize that Scarlett has gone quiet, and when I look over, I find her and Luke eyeing each other. The tension between them is palpable.
The attraction is absolutely not one-sided.
“Is it poisoned?” Mateo asks, eyeing the sauce.
“You’re the one who drugs people,” I counter, holding my chin up.
The others laugh, and Rome winks at me.
“Christ, I’m moving in here,” Carson says. “Leave him for me, pretty girl. I’m better in bed.”
“I will fuckingend you,” Rome growls, but Carson just laughs and pats Rome on the back.
Their dynamic is fascinating. They’re obviously all good friends, joking with each other. It’s nothing like what I saw in my father’s home.
But then again, my father doesn’t like anyone. He definitely doesn’t have any friends.
I notice that Julian and Mateo continue to watch me with cool, untrusting eyes, and I can’t say I’m surprised. Rome knew who Salvatore Rizzo was, which means these men do too. I’m an unknown commodity here, getting close to their friend, and they definitely think the worst of me. My father trusted no one, so I can imagine that’s a standard trait with men like these. Yet I have a deep sense of … relief. Despite my niggling doubts, Rome means a lot to me. I can see myself staying. Living here. With him. In this life, no matter the risks. And these men? They’ll protect Rome at all costs, and that’s more important than them liking me.
Hopefully, I’ll prove my loyalty … and maybe win them over through their stomachs too.
“I have brownies and ice cream,” I announce, getting up to pull everything out for dessert.
“We’re leaving,” Rome says. “No brownies for them.”
“I made a shit ton,” I counter. “Of course, you’re all going to eat it. You don’t tell an Italian woman no when it comes to food, Rome Alexander.”
The room goes dead quiet. No one lifts their forks to their mouths.
All eyes are on Rome while he stares at me.
No one speaks to him that way.
My stomach quivers a bit in apprehension. Did I take it too far? Should I be more submissive when his friends are around? I forget that he’s a boss, and his men and friends are here, and I just got sassy.
Shit, I don’t know what to do!
But Rome’s mouth twitches into a half smile, and he crosses to me and kisses my forehead.
“You heard my Italian woman. Eat her food.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, so only he can hear. “I didn’t mean to sass you in front of them.”
“You’re fine, firefly.” He smirks and reaches for a brownie of his own. After scooping some ice cream on top, he takes a big bite. “This is fucking good.”
When the men are done eating, they all smile and wave at me, but I know that no one would dare touch me.
And I’m okay with that.
“I’m Spider,” a big, bald man says. He has face tattoos and a piercing in his lip, but his smile is nothing but friendly. “Carson’s second. Thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome. Be careful tonight, guys.”
They shuffle out the front door, but Rome hangs back. When they’re all gone, he pulls me into his arms, with Scarlett our only audience, and kisses the hell out of me.
