Izzy looks at Alessia with somber eyes, like she wants to help but isn’t sure how to.
I see a lot of myself in Alessia. She’s a hard worker, and I can tell just how much this helplessness is affecting her. If someone I loved was in a situation like Colton’s and I couldn’t do anything about it, I’d feel awful. It makes me want to help her.
“What if there’s something I can do?” I say to Alessia, which draws her and Izzy’s attention my way.
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“Yeah,” Izzy says, sitting taller in her seat. “Whatdoyou mean?”
I shrug. “What if I talk to Tomasso? See if there’s anything I can offer him in exchange for leaving Colton and his dad alone?”
Alessia shakes her head. “Oh, no, I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Yeah, I’m not surethat’sthe best idea, Liana,” Izzy says, her eyes narrowing on me. I might be a few months older than her, but she’s making me feel like an adolescent under her disapproving glare.
Ignoring her, I turn my attention back to Alessia. “You’re not asking, I’m offering. Let me help you. Iwantto help you.”
Alessia looks between me and Izzy, who does her best to give her an encouraging smile, even though I know inside she’s completely questioning what I’m doing.
“I don’t know, Liana,” Alessia says. “I don’t think there’s anything anyone could offer him at this point, and I don’t want you getting in the middle. My dad can be an ass sometimes.”
“I’ve dealt with plenty of asses in my life. Plus, I’m a fantastic negotiator. How do you think I get my clothes down to such an insanely low manufacturing cost?”
Alessia looks between Izzy and me again, and Izzy says, “It’s true. This woman has been a wizard on the phone with our contacts in Milan. It’s scary.”
Bringing her attention back to me, Alessia says, “Okay, I really appreciate it, you have no idea. But whatever the cost is, Colton and I will pay you back.”
“We’ll worry about the logistics after I speak with your dad.” Picking up my phone, I unlock it, then hand it to Alessia. “Put his number in, and I’ll make contact with him soon.”
I can sense the reluctancy in her, but she lets out a breath and types on my phone, then hands it back to me.
“Thank you so much, Liana. Ever since I lost my mom, things haven’t been the greatest at home. My dad can be decent sometimes, but there’s nothing like a maternal figure in your life. I know you’re not much older than me, but you’ve really become that person for me—more like a big sister—and I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”
Her words bring a smile to my face. Alessia might act like she has a hard exterior, but deep down, she’s nothing but a sweetheart who’s in love with a boy and stuck with a father who doesn’t care.
I know what I have to do. Alessia needs someone to stick up for her, and I’m going to be that person.
3
MASSIMO
“So, how’s it been taking on more of Dad’s responsibilities?” Guilherme asks.
I grab three bottles of water out of my fridge and toss one to each of my brothers. “Not bad. The capos have already started corresponding directly with me, so the transition will be smooth once he decides to fully retire.”
“And when is that going to be?” Giovanni asks, using his shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
The three of us just went a few rounds in my home gym, sparring with each other like we do a few times a week to make sure we’re staying in shape. But with me taking over for Dad, we haven’t been able to get together all week.
“I don’t have an exact date, but it’ll be soon.” I chug half my water then add, “There’s just one thing I have to do before he’ll let me fully take over.”
“And that is?” Gui asks.
“I’m surprised you both haven’t heard yet.”
“Who would we hear it from?You’rethe one who has the inside scoop with Dad,” Gui says.
“Yeah, you know you’ve always been his favorite. Him and Mom only had me and Gui so they would have two more options in case you fucked up,” Gio says. “And you know their asses were shocked when they went in for that ultrasound and found their one backup heir turned into two.”
