Page 9

Mouth wide, he stares at me like I’ve just slapped him across the face.
I swallow the bubble of laughter which threatens to move up my throat, and I step forward, opening up another box beside him.
Since Dario doesn’t know how to respond, he goes for another approach, one which makes me blush furiously.
“Since you’re bringing absolutely everything here, it’s only fair that I ask if you’re also planning to get married, pop out two babies, and move your new family in this place, Chiara?”
I turn on my heel, this timemymouth dropping open.
He. Did. Not.
Dario leans against the kitchen counter, a grin stretched along his lips as he folds his arms over his broad chest.
“You’re so annoying, Dario!”
I shout, smacking his arm as I feel my face beginning to turn red.
Dario’s laughter booms around the kitchen as I shake my head, bringing my hair forward to cover my face.
I turn back around so my brother won’t see my flushed face as I start tidying up.
Even though Papa was the underboss back when we were in Italy, he drifted away from that part of his life after we moved to England. There are still the occasional phone calls here and there, but for the most part, Papa is no longer heavily involved.
Though, there are some duties both Dario and I are expected to uphold.
In my case, there are two main ones; to remain a virgin until I am married, and to marry a Made man.
It’s tradition.
Though Papa has never outright said anything, Dario has to me, and he’s always teased me with it ever since.
Just the thought of being back in that life makes my stomach feel weird—not with butterflies or even with dread—but with something in between.
It’s an odd feeling, that’s for sure.
“Come on, let’s finish up.”
Side by side, Dario and I continue tidying up, putting things in their places before we open some more boxes, repeating the entire process again.
It does take us some time to finish it all, but we do manage, and once we’re done in the kitchen, Dario slumps over, groaning when he spots a box that was hiding beneath the dining table all this time.
I stifle a laugh.
Papa steps into the kitchen from the hallway, his eyebrows furrowing as he looks at the kitchen.
“Good. I like that it is clean here.” He says as he surveys the space. “What about the hallway? There are many boxes left there.”
Again, Dario groans, almost ready to accept defeat.
Papa shakes his head, and I put both my hands on my hips.
“Hey! You were the ones who told me to buyallof this.”
I point out, my eyes darting between my father and my brother.
“They told you to buy everythingbuta mover.”
Tamana chimes in, stepping into the kitchen with a grin on her face.