I pull the phone from my ear and hang up. I want Oni to meet my cousins. Eduardo and Aldo are more like brothers to me.
None of this shit has ever come between us. I hope that it never does. Our other cousin, now that’s another story.
Time will tell there. Moving to the French doors that lead out to the pool from this room, I stop and stare out. Oni is sitting out by the pool with my younger cousin, Emilia.
I should have known Uncle Emilio would have her come to stay to have eyes on Oni. My pop probably agreed to make Oni feel more comfortable. Emilia just turned seventeen.
She’s your typical Mafia princess. She can do no wrong in our family’s eyes. Emilia doesn’t take any shit, but she’s a sweetheart under it all.
She’ll make a great companion for Oni. They already seem to be hitting it off.
“How did I know you would return with her?” my pop says as he comes to my side.
“What, you don’t want your only son under your roof? Come on, Pop. You know you miss me,” I say and turn to him with a wide smile.
He slaps my cheek and grunts. “This face. If I didn’t love you, I’d punch you right in it. What were you thinking?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know Emilio. You don’t show him your hand. You never show a weakness.” He points toward Oni. “She is a weakness.”
“Pop—”
He holds a hand up and shakes his head. “Come, take a walk with me. We need to talk.”
I sigh and follow him from the room. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I stroll beside him quietly. I knew this was coming.
“She’s pretty. I lot prettier than I thought she would be. Your plan needs to be adjusted. There’s no way you’re walking into a room and she doesn’t pull more attention than necessary,” Pop starts.
I thought about this myself. I had planned to have Oni on my arm, but after my uncle’s reaction, I’m second-guessing myself. Oni doesn’t need to pull unwanted attention if she’s going to disappear mid-engagement.
“What if she doesn’t come in on my arm? Listen, I can arrive and give the signal when our targets are all in the room. Then she can get the list, load up, and arrive after.
“By the time anyone realizes their shit is missing, she’ll be at the party with me, and no one will suspect her.”
“That’s a great idea, but there’s one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve never been a fool. I know you’ve either claimed the girl or intend to. Anyone looking to push your buttons will see they can use her. I think it might be better if I’m the escort. I’ve been known to have a pretty young face on my arm,” he says.
“Not this young,” I bite out.
“Relax, I’m old enough to be her father. This is business.”
He waves me off. “You see what I mean? Rico, either change the plan and involve me or find another hustle. You’re the one looking to impress my brother. I have other jobs I can set in motion.”
“Fine, I like the idea, but I don’t think we should run the same game as many times as we planned. There needs to be one or two where neither of you shows your faces,” I reply.
“Now you’re thinking. I’ll have Estell come by to fit the girl for a few gowns. Meanwhile, I promised her uncle she would be safe. I’m going to have her work as my assistant. I don’t need you making me a grandfather and starting a war.”
“Pop, really?”
“Like I said, she’s pretty, gorgeous in fact. I bet you don’t make it to the end of the summer without falling into her bed. I was young once too.”
“It’s not like that. She’s sixteen. I’m nineteen. That ain’t gonna happen.”
He roars with laughter. “Whatever you say, son. Whatever you say.”
