“You toldthem it was your yacht, and they believed you?” The skepticism in my brother’s voice adds to my irritation. My hangover isn’t helping, either.
“No, dumbass. I showed them pictures of me on the yacht and told them Dad was connected, which he is. If they falsely assumed I was a guest on the boat rather than cleaning it, that’s not my fault.”
Elio chuckles. “If by connected you mean a childhood friend who grew up to join the Mafia, then fair enough. Bet the girls were all over you after that.”
I finally crack a smile. “You should have seen it, man. Like I was a god or something. Best damn summer job ever—way better than your busboy gig.” Sure, I have to do some shitty jobs like carting around heavy restocking supplies and scrubbing the outboard, but it’s worth it to get access to the incredible boats. What I wouldn’t give to own one someday.
“Yeah, sorry I couldn’t make it. It took hours for that damn headache to fade.” Elio’s had a lot of headaches and otherexcuses lately for missing all kinds of activities. I don’t know what’s up, but something’s definitely not right. He claims I’m reading too much into things every time I bring up my concerns.
“You sure you don’t need to see a doctor?”
“Definitely. In fact, I feel a hell of a lot better than you look.”
I rub my eyes with a wry huff of laughter. “That’s because I’m hungover as shit. Work is going to suck ass today.” We’re only seventeen, but one of the benefits of being huge for our age is that no one ever questions our fake IDs. It’s too damn expensive to go out often, but when I do, I make sure to enjoy myself. I’m pretty sure my parents know what we get up to, but they’re pretty chill so long as we don’t get into any real trouble.
“I tell you what, to make up for skipping out on you last night, I’ll work for you today. It’s my day off, anyway.”
“No way, man. You serious?” I stare at my twin brother as if he had offered me his kidney. As bad as I feel, he might have to do that, too.
“Sure, gives me a chance to finally see these boats you’ve been obsessing over the past month, assuming you can walk me through everything.”
Elio and I are identical in every way. Most people can’t tell us apart, and we don’t exactly try to differentiate ourselves. It’s easy for us to switch places—we have seventeen years of practice.
But a niggling doubt pricks at my conscience.
Am I taking advantage of my brother? He shouldn’t have to do hard labor just because I threw a tantrum about him not going out. And what if my boss realizes something’s up? I don’t want to lose my job.
Mom’s voice plays in my head.
One of these days, you’re going to be sorry you tricked people like that.
She gets so irritated when we switch places, and she might be right, but surely, there’s no real harm in Elio working for metoday. It’s not like we’re sleeping with each other’s girlfriends, or something twisted like that.
I know we probably shouldn’t, but damn, it would be nice to sleep off this headache. And if he’s willing…
“I can absolutely walk you through what to do. I can even text one of the guys I work with—he’s trustworthy. I’ll let him know what’s up.”
Elio extends his hand, initiating our snap handshake that we’ve done since we were six. We grin mischievously at one another, both relieved to be back on the same team. We’re so close that even the slightest rift between us makes the world feel off-kilter. I don’t know how other people exist without a twin. We’re too much a part of one another to ever let anything serious come between us, and a life without him wouldn’t even be worth living.
CHAPTER 9
TERINA
Present
“My dad has started escortingme everywhere, though he said the threat is likely greater for your family. I can’t imagine how terrified you must be.” My good friend Isa chews on her lip, her brows drawn together.
I filled her in about my new bodyguard as soon as we sat down for coffee. Her father is Cosimo Costa, Renzo’s consigliere, so she understands my life better than most. I’m so grateful to have someone I can share with, even if I choose to keep some things private.
“It’s definitely unsettling, but we don’t have any concrete information from what I’m hearing. Though there’s always a chance Renzo’s keeping things from me—it wouldn’t be the first time,” I add under my breath.
“At least he’s got you well protected. DiAngelo takes his job very seriously.”
I scoff after sipping from my coffee. “So I’ve noticed. The man is a little deranged.”
She shrugs. “He wasn’t always that intense. Not sure if I ever told you, but our dads are friends. We sort of grew up together.”
“Really?” I’m stunned. “How have I never heard about that?” I’m reminded that Isa is several years older than I am, so she’s closer in age to DiAngelo than I am.
