I take it.
His grip is firm, quick.
He looks at Nico again.
“This is the one Vito has been running his mouth about?” Luca asks.
My soul exits my body.
Nico’s hand tightens at my back.
“Vito talks too much,” Nico says.
A woman’s laugh comes from somewhere behind us.
“Fact,” she says.
I turn and see a woman move in behind Vito, who’s leaning in the doorway, arms crossed. She bumps him lightly with her shoulder.
She’s put together, confident, and she has that same family resemblance that makes it obvious who she is.
Her eyes land on me.
Then she grins like we’re already friends.
“Caterina,” she says, and she steps forward.
Her energy is a relief.
“Hi,” I say, my voice loosening. “Erica.”
“I’ve been dying to meet you,” Caterina says.
Nico makes a quiet sound in his throat.
“Caterina,” he warns.
She lifts both hands.
“I’m not being sarcastic,” she says. “I really have been. The first woman that Nico ever brings home? I mean, come on.”
My eyes widen slightly at that, and I look at Nico.
The first?
Vito looks amused. Like he’s been waiting for my discomfort to show up so he can poke it.
He catches my gaze and gives me the smallest wink.
I immediately want the floor to open up.
Caterina turns and shoots him a look.
“Don’t start,” she says.
“I didn’t start anything,” Vito says, throwing his hands out.
“You exist,” Caterina replies.
