She raises her eyes to meet mine and releases a breath. "I just eat what I can." The words are spoken carelessly, but I can read the subtext—she's notgivenany food.
I don't reply, mostly because for the first time, I find myself speechless. Based on her last name, I'd immediately assumed the worst about her—that she was a spoiled rich girl looking for a good time.
I almost laugh to myself. Considering how awful Leonardo and Cristina Marchesi are, it doesn't surprise me that they'd abuse their own daughter to reach their goals. And certainly, Franzè will be a wonderful resource as a son-in-law. He'll provide the opening into Europe they so desperately want.
Leonardo was never supposed to become capo. The youngest of four sons, his pastimes included whoring, gambling, and more whoring. He dedicated his time solely to the pursuit of pleasure. When his father and brothers suddenly passed away in a plane crash, he'd been the only choice for the Marchesi line to continue. But Leonardo didn't have a clue about leading a business, and so the family's enterprises had slowly turned to dust. I'm guessing that's why he's been so keen on becoming in-laws with Franzè.
After she's had enough, Allegra gulps down a glass of water and leans back in her chair, a look of pure contentment on her face.
I take out a cigarette and light it. I take a drag and move my head a little so the smoke doesn't go in her direction.
"Is that good?" Her eyes are fixed on my cigarette.
"It's an acquired taste." I shrug.
"The guards are always smoking at home," she purses her lips, deep in thought. "Can I try it?"
My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
"You want to smoke?"
She nods enthusiastically and, rising, she quickly comes to stand next to me. Before I can say anything, she takes the cigarette out of my hand and brings it to her mouth, parting her small lips to accommodate the tip.
Fuck. Me.
She sucks in her cheeks in an attempt to inhale, but nothing happens. She has this look of pure concentration on her face that's just adorable.
"How do you do it?" she finally asks me.
"Just like that," I start, taking the cigarette in my hand. "You put it in your mouth," I pause as I do that, "and then you suck, inhaling at the same time." I demonstrate, and she watches attentively.
"OK. I can do that." She's impatient as she grabs the cigaretteand wraps her lips around it, inhaling. All too soon she starts coughing, just like I knew she would.
"How can you do that? It's vile." She sticks her tongue out and makes a disgusted face.
"Acquired taste." I struggle to keep a straight face; her expression is too funny. And just to rile her up further, I feel the need to add, "You realize we just shared an indirect kiss."
She stops, and her eyes go wide.
"Ew!" she bursts out, wiping at her lips with the back of her hand. "Gross."
I don't know how I expected her to react, but certainly not this vehemently.
"You're a pervert!" she screams at me, turning around and running back toward the living room, but not before palming some more bread and ham.
From open-mouthed outrage at her outburst to an amused smile, I don't know what it is about this girl, but she's damn endearing.
Shaking my head, I go to the control board and switch from autopilot to manual. A quick look at the map tells me it's another half an hour until we reach the port.
"Is this how you drive the boat?" Her voice takes me by surprise, and turning back, I see her gazing in awe at the view from the front of the boat. She still has a piece of bread safely ensconced in her arms, and she's slowly chewing some.
Still eating.
"You're done sulking?"
"I wasn't sulking." Her eyes move from the sea to me, and she frowns. "I was fuming," she corrects, and her eyes sparkle with mischief.
"Fuming?" I ask, curious to see what she's going to cook up next.
