I don’t want to dwell on these things now, but when Dad pulls this kind of stunt, it makes me think about why he does this.He’s also not happy that we’re all getting on better, and how fucked up is that?
“Do you want to tell them about it, Zach?”Dad asks, as my gaze fixates on the tumbler in his hand.Single malt Scotch, neat.
“Should you be drinking that?”I ask.“Won’t it mess with your meds?”
“It’s fine.I’m not going to stop living.”He takes a defiant sip.“Tell them about your plans for Stella.”
I shuffle uneasily.“I didn’t realize you were going to bring it up.”
“Why not?Something to celebrate.Don’t you want to share this news with everyone?It’s a big move for you.”
“Okay, Dad.Sure.”I clear my throat.
“You bought the company?”Jett asks, glaring at me in disbelief.
“A majority stake, that’s all,” I clarify.
Dex stares at me like he doesn’t recognize me.“All for some puss—”
“Shut the hell up,” I snap, my voice deadly quiet.He freezes at my reaction.How dare he refer to Maya like that?
Rio slings his arm around Dex’s shoulders.“Don’t be vulgar.You should be proud your youngest brother is making such daring moves.”
I feel like I’m always in Jett and Dex’s shadow.Dad leads by example and shows us the ropes, but this is one of the first big business moves I’ve made without consulting anyone.Jett and Dex make decisions without running them by me all the time, but that’s because the two of them are as thick as thieves.Sometimes I feel like they indulge me.They still treat me as a kid, even though I’m soon turning thirty.
My gut twists.If I’d known Dad would expose me like this to my brothers, I wouldn’t have said a word to him.
“He was impressed by what he saw at the VIP event,” Dad offers.I loosen my collar, feeling heat creeping along my skin.I wish dinner was announced because I need to sit the hell down, eat, and get the hell out of here.
“Let me get this straight.”Jett puts on his serious tone.I swear, sometimes, I think Jett all too easily assumes the role of head boy in our family.He might be the oldest, but we’re not a feudal family, last time I looked.We’re not the mafia.“You bought a majority stake in Stella, the fashion house?Why?”
“Unbelievable.”Dex mutters under his breath.
Shut the fuck up,both of you,I want to yell, but I calmly manage to answer them.“The business could be doing better.It’s my area of expertise and I’m confident I can help turn things around.”
“Turn things around for whom?”Jett asks.
He’s not going to let up.Neither is Dex.For once I’m relieved that the Italian Knights are here, because my own brothers are being the biggest jackasses.
“Dinner’s ready,” Enzo announces, jerking his chin at the housekeeper who’s been hovering behind Dad for a while.“We should eat before Matteo passes out from starvation.”
“Let’s eat,” Dad suggests, and leads the way to the dining room, but I’ve lost my appetite, and I don’t want to eat a thing.I’m bracing myself for the interrogation that’s sure to follow once this is over.
Yet, once the food is served we, oddly and miraculously, manage to sit quietly and eat.
Even me.
***
The dinner went remarkably smoothly despite my brothers having digs at me.
We all rushed and left, but not long after I get back to my apartment, there’s a knock on the door.
My stomach sinks, because I know exactly who it is.
Those two aren’t going to let this rest.I wish my dad had kept his mouth shut.“What now?”I moan, opening the door and seeing Dex and Jett standing there.
“Are you seriously chasing your teenage crush?”Dex cries, walking in.
