Page 38 of Dirty Hearts

“We haven’t really planned… anything.” I didn’t think we would plan anything. We’d been together for a year and a half, and it was crazy wild. I just thought we’d continue from here, here where we were.

“So, you graduated from college last month, and you’ve been working at the restaurant. You’re with this guy you don’t know if you have a future with, and you’re contemplating passing on a chance of a lifetime opportunity when he’s made no promises to you?” She pushed out her full red lips and smirked.

It annoyed me that she was right. “We haven’t been together long. It’s been a year and a half. You don’t push these things.”

“Exactly, which is why you should definitely go. Ava, think big. Not just qualifying for Pa’s restaurant. Come on. It’s Europe. You’re going to be in all the major European cities. Paris, London, Milan, Barcelona. And you’ll be doing what you love. You love cooking. Fuck, have you ever thought of not cooking? Let’s take a walk down the road to the future. We both know that Pa can talk out of his ass and say whatever the hell he wants, but we both know he’ll be giving you the restaurant. It’s the best- and worst-case scenario. Best case, he’ll see you fit to have it. Worst case, he’ll get too old and can’t run it anymore, and he’d rather give it to you than sell the place. Simple.” She pulled in a breath, then continued. “So, that established you know you’re going to get the restaurant. I really doubt that you spent all these years working so hard just for that. There’s more. What if you owned your own chain? Took Delizioso to the top, and it’d be some kind of Michelin-starred hot spot? That’s you, Ava. That’s you.”

All I could do was stare at her, and the light from her eyes told me she meant it for me. She meant well for me.

She did that one-shoulder sassy shrug, her trademark move, and I moved to hug her. It was times like this when we were just sisters.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“You’re welcome. Trust me. One day, when you’re rich and successful, you’ll thank me. Ava, don’t give up your dreams for anyone, and not for someone who’s made you no promises that can rival what you truly want.”

I pulled back and looked at her. She was right, but I didn’t really want to think that way.

“If he loves me, he’ll wait, right?”

“Yes. He’ll understand and wait. Anyone who loves you would do that. That’s how you’ll know how he truly feels. If he can’t, then you’re just another piece of ass to him.”

“Another?”

She laughed. “Ava, you have so much to learn about men. And guys like Claudius. He’s one of the capos for the Rossi family. You think he’s betrothed to you? If he is, I absolutely fucking give him credit. Think of yourself for a change. Do what your heart tells you.”

My heart wanted both things, but I couldn’t deny that she was right.

If I gave up Europe, it would be something I would never forgive myself for.

So, I guess that meant I was going. I was going, and I’d hope that Claudius would wait for me.

Maybe it would be just like in the movies where the guy tells his girl he’ll go with her. He’d go anywhere in the world with her.

Maybe…

Chapter 9

Claudius

* * *

Present day…

“I think it’s fascinating that you have such a setup,” David stated with a curt nod.

He’d said something else before, but I wasn’t listening. He’d been talking about his company and the plans he had for his new brand.

I didn’t have many meetings like this, and I kind of hated anything of this nature where I’d need to know the ins and outs of the businesses that wanted to work with us.

It was important though. I was just miles away.

I had Dante on my left and Gio on my right. Alex and Jude were working the streets. I gave them the task of finding whatever they could on the Manellos. Check out all their old hangouts and speak to anyone who used to associate with them. That sort of stuff, but keep it on the down-low.

I didn’t want to start a fire and make a big issue. Not until I had to. Not until I knew what I was dealing with, if it was anything.

Looking for the Manellos wasn’t anything new to me, but people would start to talk if I suddenly started up my witch hunt again.

“Well, I’m glad you like it. It’s been established this way for years, and our clients are happy,” I replied.