Page 14 of Sins of the Orchid

His gaze dropped down to my outfit, eyeing it clinically like a doctor studied his patient.

“You and Adriano going out? To that college party?”

My eyes darted instinctively around us, and a triumphant smile played on his lips.

“Shhh,” I scolded him, scrunching my eyebrows. I understood the irony of shushing a killer, but he let me get away with it. He probably let me get away with a lot.

“You are going to get yourself in trouble,” he warned. I loved my big brothers, but I wished Santino wouldn’t behave like them. The only one that didn’t treat me like a big brother was Adriano. Maybe it was the reason we always got into trouble together. I was just another friend to him, and I loved that about my best friend.

I rolled my eyes, annoyance flaring in my tone. “I wish everyone would stop saying that,” I muttered. “It is just a little hang out.”

“Don’t get in trouble, kiddo.”

“Damn it, Santi,” I hissed, anger clear in my voice. “Would you stop calling me kiddo?”

The dark gaze that usually remained unmovable shone with amusement. “I don’t think so, kiddo.”

Why couldn’t he see me as something more than just a kid? I was sixteen, a lot older than a kid! But if there was one thing I knew about Santi, it was that he’d always do what he thought best. After all, it was the reason he was already seen as the don.

I shrugged my shoulders and blew out an exasperated sigh. “Whatever.”

His lip tugged upwards. I hated that I seemed to amuse him, like an entertainment show.

“Give me your phone.” His request threw me off, and I narrowed my eyes on him.

“Why?”

“Don’t you trust me?” he mused.

Another sigh left me. I trusted this man more than was probably wise. I couldn’t fight it. He offered me the first comforting touch when he wiped my tears away three years ago. He even stood up to my own father to keep me shielded from Dad’s temper. And he was my best friend’s brother. So, on an exhale, I dug through my bag. Once I had my phone, I took it out, unlocked it and handed it to him.

I could tell I pleased him by giving him my phone without an argument, and for some reason, my chest warmed. It was probably a stupid feeling. I cared about the Russo men, they were my second (or maybe third) family, and it felt good to know that Santino cared about me too.

“I’m putting my phone number in it,” he said, never raising his eyes as he typed in his contact info. “If something happens, call me. I sent myself a message from your number, so I’ll know it’s you.”

Santino Russo, the don, gave me his number. Internally screaming. My cheeks flushed and giddiness overwhelmed me, but I hid it. He would not appreciate me jumping up and down at the idea of him giving me his number. In his mind, he gave a number to a kid. In mine, a drop-dead gorgeous boy gave me his phone number.

“Thanks. But like I just told Lorenzo, “I commented nonchalantly, “... everything will be fine.”

He nodded then left me standing there as I watched his strong, good looking back disappear down the hallway. He always wore three-piece suits and looked impeccable. Sometimes I wondered how the ruthless don killed other men wearing such expensive suits. Shaking my head at my stupid thoughts, I entered Dad’s office and found him looking over some documents, never hearing me enter.

“Hey, Dad,” I announced my presence.

His head snapped up, and instantly, his tensed posture relaxed. He stood up and came around the desk.

He opened his arms and I stepped into his embrace, finding comfort in them. It was funny how life turned out. When Dad first came and got me in Colombia, I was certain I could never care about this man. Yet, he had done so much for me, and sacrificed so much that I knew there was no other father that could compete with him. I was incredibly lucky to have two fathers that cared deeply for me and an amazing mother.

“I just wanted to let you know Adriano was taking me to Grandma’s.” He frowned but didn’t say anything. I knew his frown was for Grandma not Adriano. “Thank you for letting me go on this trip with her.”

He pressed a kiss onto my forehead. “Just stay close and never leave without one of her buffoon bodyguards. I guess they are better than nothing, although I’d rather send one of your brothers with you. DeAngelo is the best, so stick to him.”

I nodded. “I will be safe, promise.”

“Where is DeAngelo?” he questioned.

“He’s already at Grandma’s,” I told him. I might have given DeAngelo a little white lie, leading him to believe that Dad was bringing me. I couldn’t very well have him trailing us to the college party.

Guilt rushed through me, and for a second, I debated if I should tell Dad about the short detour that Adriano and I had planned but then decided against it. There was no need to worry him, he already had a lot on his plate.