Page 11 of Sins of the Orchid

“Good to know you don’t find us despicable and worthless like your grandmother,” Santino commented dryly.

My eyes flickered to him, and I knew my cheeks had turned deep red with blotches on my chest. I hated how easily my skin depicted my embarrassment. I didn’t find either one of them despicable or worthless, but I knew they were dangerous.

At twenty-four, Santi was already the don of the Russo family for all intents and purposes. His father couldn’t be prouder and trusted his son to run all the affairs of his underworld empire. He had become well-known in the underworld for his ruthlessness. His hands were drenched in blood.

There was a feud going on between the Russos and the Venezuelan Cartel that kept causing trouble in his and Dad’s territory. Santino had been killing them off, one by one, for a year now. Every morning, the newscaster spoke of another cartel member found dead.

Dad was of course on his side. So was I. The Venezuelan Cartel killed my mother, and I wanted them all extinguished. Besides, Santino would always be the savior who extended his hand when I needed it most.

I looked at him under my lashes and noticed his eyes hardened as his gaze flicked back in the direction of my grandmother’s voice. He didn’t like her either.

It bothered me that nobody from this world seemed to care for Grandma. I loved her very much, and I knew she loved me. She was my only connection left to Mom. She often told me stories about her when she was a kid, roaming this city just like I was. Except I had guards and the eyes of Cosa Nostra on me. Thankfully, I really liked my main guard, DeAngelo. It was the first topic my grandma and dad agreed on.

This distaste they all had for each other would eventually grow a wedge between my father’s family and Grandma. I’d inherit Regalè Enterprise, and she was right that I needed to understand the business. But somehow, I felt shifting to the princess tower and her business would pull me away from everyone else I loved.

I came to love my father and brothers, Adriano, and the rest of the Russo family. Adriano and I have become close, despite our age difference. If someone made fun of him for being nineteen and being best friends with a sixteen-year-old, he’d beat them up and move on. Not the most mature approach, but it was effective.

Either way, I didn’t want to give up any of my family once I took over Regalè Fashion. I wanted it all, a happy family with my grandmother in it and the empire she had built. Grandma had poured her soul into it, and I loved everything about it too. So did my mother. I owed it to all of them to follow their path.

“She doesn’t mean that,” I muttered in a low voice. “She’s just mad that Dad is putting restrictions on her time with me.”

Neither one of the men seemed surprised. I wished Adriano was here, but he was out of town taking care of some business for Santino. Usually, he was my listener. Despite our age difference, we always lent each other our strength. I did it for him and he for me, that’s how it worked between us.

“And what do you want, Amore?” Santino asked, surprising me.

Nobody had ever bothered asking me that. Not even Adriano. Santino’s tall frame towered over me like a dark, brooding cloud. I wasn’t done going through my growth spurt, but I knew I’d be much shorter than him. Adriano was shorter than his brother, too, by at least two inches.

I turned my head back in the direction of my grandmother and father, though I couldn’t see them. I could only hear muffled voices.

I finally shrugged. “I want it all.”

“Meaning what, kiddo?” I felt mild irritation crawl up my spine at being called kiddo. Nobody called me kiddo except for him. Of course, I was almost nine years younger than him, but the kiddo term wasn’t right for teenage girls and boys.

Santino always seemed to challenge me, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Frustration clawed at my chest because for some stupid reason he fascinated me too.It isn’t a crush, I told myself.

“I want to run Regalè Enterprise and stay around Dad, my brothers, and Adriano.”

“Ah, princess. Not us too?” Mr. Russo teased, though there was no venom in his voice.

“Of course, you too,” I muttered, keeping my eyes on Mr. Russo and blushing excessively. Truth was that I wanted to stay around Santino too. I really liked him, but it agitated me that he only saw me as a kid.

The door to Dad’s office flew open and he came out along with my grandmother. I rushed to both of them.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I apologized quickly. “We were working on a new design, and I lost track of time.”

Dad patted my arm. “That’s okay, Amore. Your grandmother should be watching the time, not you.” A frustrated breath left her, but she kept her mouth pressed in a thin line. Grandma might have been in her late seventies, but she was still a beautiful woman. Her silver white hair was always done in the latest fashion, and she dressed better than most twenty-year-olds. “You can go to Grandma’s next weekend. She’s taking you on a weekend trip to Italy.”

I squealed my delight and threw myself into Dad’s arms. “Thanks, Dad. I promise I’ll check in all day long and send you pictures.”

He squeezed me tight. “DeAngelo will go with you and a few other guards. I want you safe.”

Eagerly, I nodded my agreement. I knew it was hard for him to let me go, and I wasn’t about to make it harder.

Jumping up and down, I clapped my hands with enthusiasm. “Oh my gosh, Italy!” I couldn’t contain my grin.

“Bring your designs, Amore,” Grandma chimed in, heading towards the door. I noticed she never acknowledged Mr. Russo nor Santino. “Now I’m leaving before your dreadful father changes his mind.”

I shook my head. Why did she always have to go poking a bear with the stick?