“But it’s more than the way he looks,” I add, turning away from the window. “He is such a great guy. Smart, funny, charming, and honorable. He treats me with respect, and he trusts me to make good decisions. He doesn’t smother me, like Mateo.”
I love my only sibling. Mateo is an amazing big brother, and he regularly goes to bat for me. But he loves the criminal underworld we live in and supports the old-school traditions and rules. He refuses to see any issue with the fate lying in store for me.
It’s true he’s not a fan of Carlo—and he would lose it if he knew Carlo had threatened to take my virginity before marriage—but he tells me time and time again this is just the way of the Cosa Nostra. As the only daughter of the most powerful don in New York, this has always been my destiny. Written in ink while I was still a fetus growing in my mama’s womb.
“Mateo would take a bullet for you,” Frankie says, trailing me as I move toward my bedroom door.
“I know he would, but he babies me too much at times, and his blind support of the archaic sexist rules irritates me to no end.” I open my door, and we walk side by side along the long hallway. “Especially when he’s the biggest manwhore roaming the streets of New York. It’s so hypocritical.”
Frankie giggles. “Your brother is fucking gorgeous. It’s no wonder women fall at his feet.”
I pin her with narrowed eyes. “Yet you want to join them.”
“Archer isn’t bad in the sack, but he’s only a boy,” she says, referring to her boyfriend of six months. “Mateo is all man, and I heard he gave Bianca Gambino four orgasms in one night.”
I poke her in the ribs with my elbow, scowling. “Oh my God. I did not need to know that. Seriously. Keep that intel to yourself.”
“I just want one night.” A dreamy expression ghosts over her face as we reach the top of the grand staircase. “One night to experience a real man. I’m so ready for multiple orgasms. I’m lucky if Archer gives me one.”
“Be grateful you get any,” I whisper as we descend the stairs, heading toward the living room.
Frankie comes from an Italian American family too. Father would not endorse our friendship if she didn’t. Her father and her older brother are Mazzonesoldati, in my father’s employment. While the role of soldier is a lower-ranking position, they are well respected and expected to follow traditions.
Except Frankie is the youngest of four daughters, and there is no arranged marriage in her future. She will have to marry an Italian American, but it will be her choice. Her parents permit her to date, but they don’t know she’s having sex. She’s supposed to remain a virgin until her wedding night too.
I’m envious at the freedom she has, even if I love her like a sister. It’s hard not to feel jealous when I hear everything she is permitted to do that is denied to me.
She loops her arm through mine. “This is exactly why you should date Vaughan. I know you can’t have sex with him, but there are plenty of other things you can do. You deserve to have some pleasurable experiences before you’re tied to thatbastardo.”
“Stay quiet,” I whisper, creeping toward the double doors to the living room. They are slightly ajar, enough to allow us to eavesdrop on the guys’ conversation. “I want to hear what they’re talking about.”
We situate ourselves on either side of the doors and listen.
“I’m telling you, you should all tap Nicole. She let me stick it in her ass,” Mateo says. “Hottest fucking sex ever.”
Ew. That is seriously disgusting. I’ll need to scrub my ears out later.
“She’s a high-school senior,” Leo says, his deep sexy voice doing weird things to my stomach.
“She’s eighteen and legal. What the fuck does her age have to do with anything?” Mateo replies.
“She goes to school with your sister,” Leo adds.
All the blood drains from my face. There is only one Nicole at the private all-girls academy I attend in the city. Nicole Chastain is stunning but a bona fide bitch. She hates my guts, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she fucked my brother purely to get one over on me. I dig my fingernails into my palm while gritting my teeth. Frankie and I exchange a look, and I can tell her thoughts are similar to mine.
“Nicole isn’t friends with Nat,” Mateo clarifies. “And I think you should fuck her. You’re way too uptight. You need to get laid before your blue balls strangle you.”
“I got laid Saturday night. Trust me, my balls are the furthest from blue,” Leo retorts, as phones ping around the room.
Pain slices across my chest at his admission. It’s stupid, because he’s single and free to fuck whomever he wants. I know he’s no saint. He’s not a walking STD like my brother, but he’s had his fair share of women over the years, I’m sure. I hate thinking how some lucky women know him intimately. That they got to put their hands on him. Touch him in places I long to touch him.
“Sweet,” one of the guys says. “Thanks for her number.”
“Nicole is game for anything,” Mateo adds. “And she didn’t hesitate when I told her I was going to share her number with my friends.”
“Puttana,” Frankie mouths at me.
“She mentioned you by name, Messina. You should give her a call. Stick your grumpy dick in her ass.” A round of laughter breaks out, and I have heard enough.
