I raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh? Is he bored again or has something actually important come up?”
He shrugged, then muttered, “Like he has nothing better to do.”
I wasn’t sure what was the point of that comment, but I just focused back on my food. When we were close to finishing, there was a knock on his door.
Dominic called, “Come in.”
Marco opened the door and peeked in. A smile came across his face when he saw me, then looked at the table, and frowned.
“Why didn’t you invite me for lunch? Or is this some secret business date?”
I stiffened the moment he said the word date. My gut churned at the thought of a date with Dominic, but I tried to ignore it.
“We haven’t eaten yet so it made sense to eat now.” Dominic sounded slightly irritated, as I noticed Marco raise an eyebrow at him.
“Uh huh.”
I didn’t know what that response meant either, but I felt I was better off not knowing.
I smiled at Marco. “So what brings you here today? Got something juicy to share?”
Marco and I had begun to engage more and more since the kidnapping. I really enjoyed his company. He was funny when he wasn’t being hardcore and serious. I was glad to be able to see both sides of him. And now that I knew he was Dominic’s Second in Command, I knew he would keep me safe. Well, for as long as Dominic needed me for. I would just have to take what I could get.
Marco walked in, smirking at Dominic, then turned to me as he dramatically flopped on the couch.
“Did you hear the latest news on Nico Cattaneo?”
I giggled. “You mean that he’s trying to persuade my father into an alliance through my sister? They would be a perfect match. Ugly with ugly.”
He had a glint in his eye. “Word is, even though your sister slept with him, she’s pushing back on it. Said she still plans to marry Dominic when he “dumps her ass.’” He used his fingers in air quotes.
I felt a punch to my gut, but forced a smile through it. “Well, she is a winner. Couldn’t go wrong with that hot mess.”
Dominic sneered, making me whip my head to him. He looked angry, staring at me with intensity.
“No way in hell will Ieverend up with that whore.”
I wanted to laugh, but instead I faked a pout. In a whiny voice I said, “But Dominic, she’s such a catch.” Then I giggled, and Marco threw his head back and laughed. He was laughing so hard, my giggles turned into its own fit of laughter. By the time we started to settle down, my stomach hurt, and I had tears in my eyes. I looked at Dominic. He looked both serious and slightly amused.
I cleared my throat and straightened in my seat.
Dominic responded first. “Serena and Nico would be a horrible match.”
I felt my body go rigid. Is he about to defend her?
“If those two got together, they would burn the world down in a completely different way than Aria and Maximo could. And no one would be left standing. Including the two of them.”
That was an interesting take on that pair up. We sat with that in silence for a few minutes.
“Any other good rumors going around?”
Marco narrowed his eyes on me. “What juicy tidbits haveyouheard, miss gossip collector?”
Well,” I drawled. “I did hear that Don Valentino’s middle daughter, Eliana, is trying to make a match with Nico. Something about deserving better than her older, sister Carina.” I rolled my eyes. The competition was extreme among Don Valentino’s three daughters. “And the youngest, Serafina, is following in my lovely sister’s footsteps of just sleeping with any of the mafia men who will take her. Apparently she thinks that will be her way in with a goodfamilia.”
The room grew quiet after I spoke. I looked between Dominic and Marco. Marco looked stunned, and Dominic had an amused smile on his face.
“What? What did I say?” I kept looking between them.
