Page 10

“This has been a weird fucking morning so far.” I grab her hand. It’s smooth like silk, and mine nearly goes numb at the touch.

“Excuse me, grump.” She pulls her hand away. “Usually when someone introduces themselves, they get a hi back.”

“Yeah, butwhy? I’m the ride along.” I spread my arms, looking at the three people surrounding me.

“Haven’t figured it out yet, huh?” Capri pushes her lips to one side and shakes her head. “He’s giving Jackie Junior vibes…” She looks to her dad, and I suddenly want to punch a hole through her nice pool chair. “No one? Really.”

“He’s the dumbest character on the show,” I reply.

“Ding. Ding. Ding!” She smiles. “Okay, one point for knowing the Sopranos, at least.”

“Yeah well, you ain’t giving Meadow. More like… Adrianna, with black hair.”

She gasps. “Chris-toh-fa.”

I turn away abruptly, holding back a laugh, and my father catches it.

“See, these two are a match made in heaven.” He beams.

“So that’s what this visit was about… an introduction?” I say.The fuck is this? And why am I still standing here?One look at the old man keeps me rooted.Dying wish, huh? I don’t like where this play is headed.

My father shakes his finger. “A little more than that.”

“I’m going to be your wife, apparently. Then your dad is going to save my dad from the goddamn Lucrazis. And we’re all going to live happily ever after.”

“Get fucked.” I stomp away from them toward the pool.

“No thank you.” She scoffs, and that turns me on a little.

Yeah right, like she doesn’t want me. Every woman I walk past gives me the panty drop eyes.Fuck outta’ here.

“Those are my terms, Rocco, Trino. You both better make up your minds quickly.” My father looks at his watch. “It’s almost behead o’clock.”

“Excuse me again—”

I hear Capri’s footsteps as she stomps up between our fathers.

“—I believe this wasmydecision. I’m the catch. Not Jackie Junior over there.”

“You got a mouth on you, kid,” my father says.

I’m doing my best to ignore these idiots, arms folded as I stare at my reflection in the pool.

Dad wants me to get a wife before he dies.

I shake my head in disbelief.

Thought he wanted me to grow the family business enough to compete with my cousin, Castor.

Then again, he’s been throwing a lot of hints. ‘When am I going to get a grandson?’ ‘How come you never introduce me to your girlfriends?’ ‘Blah blah.’

I hear those same flopping footsteps get closer behind me, so I turn.

“Trino. This man is my only family, and I care for him more than anything else in my life. I’m not going to let anything happen to him.” She grabs my hand, and it immediately spikes my adrenaline, sending blood everywhere, including my cock. Her legs are so toned… the way her ass pops out her shorts, her slightly raspy voice…

“Are you even listening? Ugh, this is going to be harder than I thought.”

Damn right it is.