“Water, Manuel,” I say. He arrives with a jug and a glass. Nikki downs it like she just spent a week in the desert.
“Too hot for you, Niks?” asks Raoul.
Niks?Where the fuck does he get off calling her Niks?
She nods and then grins sheepishly. “I’ve never been good with spicy stuff. It’s delicious, though.” She’s pushing her spoon around the bowl.
“Get her some of Dani’s chicken soup,” I tell Manuel. I’ve seen how this woman gets after too much alcohol. Already she’s reaching for her newly refilled wine glass and taking a sip that’s too big.
“So, we’re planning a party, Dani!” she says. I’m certain she already sounds a little giddy. “I’m excited. Who shall we invite?”
“I’ll be there,” Raoul says brightly, winking at Nikki.
“Sure you will; you’re the clown,” Mateo says drily.
“Fuck yo—!”
I give Raoul a sharp look.
“Pardon me.Screwyou!” he corrects himself, glancing at Dani and then Nikki. It’s not much better, but it will do. Somedays, I half wonder if the kid was raised by wolves and not the woman who’d been my father’s mistress.
“And Mateo too,” Dani says. “Plus Nonno and Nonna.” He’s ticking off names on his fingers, running through kids from his class. I inwardly groan at the thought of it. A bunch of prep schoolers with my family. Nonno Caraldi is not your conventional grandfather. But if he’s not invited, there’ll be hell to pay.
“And what about your mom?” Nikki blurts as she looks at Dani.
At the other end of the table, Raoul drops his spoon. Dani’s mouth drops open. He stares at her, then looks at me, as if seeking an answer.
“We don’t talk about her,” I mutter under my breath. Nikki gawps at me for a second. I’m pretty sure that without the wine, she’d never have asked the question. Though I suspect it’s been weighing on her. And I guess I haven’t helped by not giving her any information.
Tough. It’s none of her business.
“You all done, little man?” I ask my son, whose bowl is now empty. He gives a hesitant nod. Despite his youth, he’s pretty good at reading a room. “Bedtime, then,” I say. I push back my chair and rise, reaching for his hand. He slides off his seat and moves up next to me.
“Good night, Sister Lovie,” he says. His voice has lost its bright edge.
“See you in the morning, Dani,” she answers. She’s not meeting my eye. We make a turn around the table so Dani can bid the others farewell. At some point, he’d decided that hugs are for babies, so each is given a solemn handshake.
“I’ll be down in a bit,” I tell Mateo and Raoul. “Nikki, you’re free to turn in when you’re done,” I tell her. The look on her face tells me she’s read the room, too. As I walk out with my son, she knows she’s been dismissed.
Chapter 9
Dario Caraldi
“What the fuck is going on with you, man?” Mateo asks me two days later. We’ve been standing on the edge of a patio overlooking the lush green gardens of Alonzo Torrio’s home in Summerlin. It bites my ass that I still have to make these appearances on behalf of my father.
“A small sundowner party,”Torrio had said. Code for “come see how successful I am.” The man’s an idiot. It’s a beautiful place and leads me to suspect he’s skimming more than his cut of the laundering he’s been doing for my father. I don’t care. It’s not my business.
The fucker who’s standing too close to Nikki Loveismy business, however.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I respond. It’s clear I’m distracted; I don’t try to hide it. A server glides past with a tray of drinks, and I snag a glass of champagne. It’s the good stuff – Torrio’s definitely on the take.
“The girl,” Mateo presses. “Dario, why did you bring her here?”
Nikki’s in a pristine white sundress that sets off her golden tan. It clings to her lush curves in a way that should be forbidden. Her hair is in loose waves over her shoulders. She’s an angel among these animals. Maybe he’s right. Why did I bring her here? Dani’s at home with Manuel. I’ve brought her out without him. What the hell is that about?
“I figured she could do with some ‘adult’ time,” I answer. It’s not a complete fabrication. I haven’t been near her since our dinner. Not because of her question about Dani’s mother. Although it put me on edge, it was innocently asked. But I’ve been busy. And maybe I know I need to put some distance between us.
Like the asswipe standing next to her should be doing. Tall, well-built, with professionally streaked hair and a tennis court tan. He’s the kind of man I hate. Soft and spoiled. And he’s all over my woman.
