When I glance at her, she shrugs. “Yours is better.”
“It always is,” I chuckle, allowing her to help herself to more from my plate.
I grab a piece of bread, tear it in half, and slide the rest toward my sister.
This is how things have always been between Raya and me. She’s four years younger. Since my first memories, I’ve taken care of her.
Right after our biological parents moved from Bulgaria to the US, a fire broke out in our apartment building. I don’t remember anything about that night, but I was told a fireman found me carrying Raya through thick smoke. Many people died that night, including our parents.
Raya was only a year and a half old when we landed in the orphanage. She has no memory of our time there. Even though the staff did their best to take care of us and we weren’t abused, I’m very protective of my sister. It’s just the way I’m wired.
We were lucky our adoptive parents found us. Every single day, I’m thankful for them. Renzo and Skylar Torrisi are the best parents any kid could ask for. They have never made us feel like we’re not blood, and the day Dad handed over the reins to his seat in the Cosa Nostra is the proudest of my life.
My eyes flick to Raya as she drinks some sparkling water.
“We need to talk,” I mention, leaning back in my chair.
Her gaze meets mine. “About the meeting with Atanas?” She narrows her eyes at me. “I swear if you tell me I have to stay at the hotel, I’m going to knee you.”
Santino lets out a snort before trying to mask it with a fake cough. I give him a look, silently telling him to give us privacy.
While he leaves the hotel suite, my attention returns to my sister.
I’m aware of how unhappy she is with my overprotective streak. Whenever a man catches her attention, I threaten him with the sure promise of death. I’m the reason she’s still unmarried at thirty-one.
Raya’s safety has always come first, and it makes it so fucking hard to ease the tight grip I have on her as I say, “That’s not what I want to talk about.”
My control freak nature tenses every muscle in my body because what I’m about to do will put Raya in more danger. Being a daughter of the Cosa Nostra already puts her at risk, hence my obsessive protectiveness toward her.
Even Dad sat me down before the trip and told me I need to ease up on Raya. She’s downright miserable, and it’s all because of me.
Fuck. What if I give her this power and freedom, and I lose her?
I love my baby sister more than life itself. I’d die for her in a heartbeat.
Christ.
My expression turns grave as I fight my instincts to protect Raya with every ounce of my being.
When I continue to stare at her, wondering if I’m making the biggest mistake of my fucking life, concern flashes over her features. “What’s wrong, Georgi?”
I let out a heavy sigh before forcing the words over my lips. “I’m making you my second-in-command.”
Raya’s jaw practically hits the table as shock ripples over her face. “You’re what?”
My expression grows grimmer as worry grips my heart in a brutal hold. “You’ve proven yourself over and over again. We both know I can’t run the business without you, and you deserve to be named my underboss.” Leaning forward, I keep her eyes imprisoned. “But, you go nowhere without your guards.”
It takes a moment for my sister to process her shock, then her eyes start to shine with tears, and she darts to her feet. I barely have enough time to get up before she throws her arms around my neck. Hugging me tightly, a sob sputters from her.
“God, Georgi.” Raya’s tone is strained. “I know this isn’t easy for you.” She pulls back, her hazel eyes locking with mine. “I promise I’ll always have the guards with me.” Swallowing hard, she regains some control over her emotions, and a serious look settles on her face. “I won’t let you down. Thank you for giving me this.”
My eyebrows pull together as I stare at my sister. “If anything happens to you because I made you my underboss…” I shake my head.
Raya rubs her palm up and down my bicep. “Nothing will happen.”
I tip my head at the table, and once we’ve taken our seats again, I lean back and stare at her for a long moment before I say, “Once we’re done here in Bulgaria and we return home, you’ll take over handling all the shipments for the other four families.”
A smile spreads over her face. “So I won’t be stuck in the office all day?”
