I block her, caging her in with my arms again.
“You’re not going anywhere, pixie.”
She looks up at me with wide eyes and promptly knees me in the balls.
I double over, gasping. The pain runs up to my stomach, but I try to keep sight of her as she slips through the crowd in that gold dress.
I try to straighten up and the pain makes me nauseous, the Scotch I’ve had rolling in my stomach. She really got me good.
I pant, trying to relieve the nausea, and I see her slip toward the back door.
I turn, finally able to straighten up, then a hand falls on my shoulder.
I whirl around, ready to bark at whoever is trying to stop me.
Oscar glares at me, his blue eyes flashing with anger.
“Your asshole brother just stumbled in, if you’re curious. I’m not watching the fucking door anymore.”
“If he’s here you don’t have to watch the door,” I seethe through gritted teeth. I like Oscar well enough, but he’s really pissing me off right now. I need to get to Sophia, need to get her to admit there was something between us that night and that there still is.
“I’m not your fucking lackey, Rossi.” His chest puffs up, his shoulders drawn back like he’s ready for a fight.
I don’t have time for this.
“Oscar, we’ll talk about this later. I’m busy.”
Oscar blinks at me. “Busy? Busy doingwhat? You’ve been at the bar all night while I’ve been stuck being a goddamnbouncer. I don’t know why I ever agreed to it in the first place. You Rossis are...”
He trails off.
My eyes narrow and I take a couple of steps forward. “We Rossis arewhat, Oscar?”
My voice is calm, quiet.
Oscar clenches his jaw, not backing down.
Fuck.I’m going to have to fight him. Right here in the warehouse, in front of everyone. People will see dissent among the big three families and…
Well, it’ll be a mess.
I take in a deep breath. I can’t act like Nico right now. I can’t do this and find Sophia.
I put my hand on Oscar’s shoulder and he startles.
“Look, man, I’m sorry,” I say quietly, under the music, not wanting anyone to hear.
Bosses don’t say they’re sorry.
Oscar stares at me like I’ve suddenly grown a second head.
“You know how it is with Nico. He’s…”
“An asshole?”
I bark out a surprised laugh at Oscar’s words.
“Yeah. I was going to say ‘struggling’ but…you’re right. Nico has his issues. But he’s my brother, and I’ll deal with him. Okay?”
