“I went to one of those parties last time I was there and spent most of my time in the cigar room. I was talking to a friend when I heard a group of men talking about how Adriano bragged about Nora’s. . .virginity.”
“Did they know who you were?” I asked.
“I doubt it. It was a masquerade type of thing.” He waved a hand around his face.
“What does Adriano gain from this marriage besides being able to say he married Giuseppe’s daughter?” I set my drink down carefully. If I didn’t, I’d break the glass.
“He gets a cut of whatever Dad uses his land for. Getting access to the ports will be huge for Dad and Adriano with his forty percent cut,” Gabe explained.
“Forty percent?” Dom nearly shouted, then lowered his voice. “The fuck? Dad agreed to that?”
“Why would Adriano need that money?” Isabel asked. “He’s a duke. I mean, we drove by his castle when we were there.”
“It’s a bullshit title,” Gio said. “Those guys don’t have money.”
Isabel still looked confused, as did Rosie and Emma.
“They only own whatever land was passed on, and every generation keeps getting rid of more and more of it to maintain those castles and that lifestyle,” I explained. “Adriano needs this.”
“Desperately, from what I heard,” Gabe said, pursing his lips. “So Nora’s stuck with the creepy, sick bastard.”
“The creepy bastard who thinks taking a younger woman’s virginity gives him bragging rights,” Rosie said, scowling.
“There you are,” Yari said loudly as she came up and hugged Rosie, Isabel, and Emma. She said hi to the rest of them before coming up to me. I looked at her expectantly to see what would come out of her mouth today. “You ready for me tonight, handsome?”
“Yari.” Rosie’s tone was a warning, but she couldn’t help her laugh. I had to laugh as well because this woman was relentless.
Yaritza was Rosie’s best friend. She also worked at Oui, the escort company Dominic owned. It had been a complete coincidence. Before Rosie and Dom found each other, Yari always flirted with him. Now that he was taken, she’d moved on to Russo and me. It was all in good fun, though. Not that I didn’t think she’d fuck either of us if we suggested it, but her flirting was all in good fun. The first few times, I considered hooking up with her, but I didn’t want things to get weird since she was Rosie’s friend. I nearly laughed at myself. I didn’t want to hook up with Rosie’s friend, but I was salivating over my friend’s sister, like that made any sense.
“I’m just offering my services.” Yari winked and stood next to me. She pulled my arm to say something in my ear. I was already expecting dirty words, but she asked, “Who’s that tall guy talking to that hot girl?”
Heat shot through me instantly because, in my opinion, Lenora was the only hot girl on the other side of the pool. I straightened and looked over at the man in question. Nico was talking to Lenora, who was looking straight at me. I frowned and looked at Yari. “That’s Lenora and Nico. You haven’t met Nico?”
“Damn.That’sLenora? She’s gorgeous,” she said, looking at Dominic and Rosie and back at Lenora. I couldn’t verbally agree, so I said nothing. Yari slapped my arm with the back of her hand. This was her favorite way to get our attention. “Wait, that’s Nico, the driver guy?”
“Sure.” I laughed, wondering what Nico would think about that job description.
“When did he get hot?” she mused, linking her arm through mine.
“You’re probably confusing him with Marco,” Isabel said.
While they talked about our soldiers and drivers and who they thought was hot and not, I focused on Lenora. Even across the pool, I could see the fire in her eyes as they narrowed. Yari yanked my arm again and pulled me down, but my attention remained on Lenora’s face. She scowled a little, and my cock twitched in response.
“Who isthat?” Yari asked, pointing at the other side of the yard. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Man, I really hope I never have a daughter,” Dom said, “Especially one like you, Yari.”
“Fuck off.” Yari’s eyes lasered on Jimmy. “But really, who is that?”
“He plays for the Jets,” I said.
“That’s the NFL player? The Jimmy guy?” She gasped and looked at Rosie. “That’s the one you were dating?”
“She never dated him,” Dominic snapped, looking at Yari like he wanted to strangle her.
“Yup. That’s Jimmy.” Rosie smiled. “See? This is what happens when you go MIA.”
“Damn.” Yari pulled my arm. “Introduce us.”
