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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Always do what you are afraid to do.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Em

I hadn’t seen Saros all day, but I understood. He had a family dinner—which, I guessed he did every week—that was actually not all blood related…it was a concept I couldn’t really wrap my head around. While I knew Ramsey had people over, I’d never been part of it, so I had no idea what all it entailed and how I should act. It seemed safe to simply keep to myself, say nothing unless someone asked me a question, and even then, to be vague in my response. It had kept me alive this long.

Paulo had checked on me and said it was okay that I was there tonight. He’d be there as well if I ran into a problem, but he told me to sit as much as possible and that if my ankle started to swell, I should come upstairs to elevate it for a while. That also seemed like a good excuse to cut out if I wanted to.

The outfit that Paulo promised would work looked business casual, but the fabric was soft and silky, and there was an elastic waist, which was the greatest invention ever.

At about five, there was a knock on my bedroom door. “Come in.”

Benny stepped in with a smile. “How you feelin’?”

I liked Benny; he was kind to me and genuinely appeared to care.

“Nervous. I don’t want to embarrass Saros.”

Benny blew a raspberry and approached me. He was in a tailored charcoal-gray triple breasted suit with a black tie. I felt a little underdressed, but I’d hate being in a suit like that.

“Saros doesn’t get embarrassed. Don’t you worry, be yourself.” He extended his elbow for me to take. “How about I escort you?”

Relief washed over me; I really didn’t want to go down there alone.

“I’d like that, thanks.”

It didn’t seem like anyone was here yet, judging by the sound of it. There were a few voices, one distinct. I’d likely be able to find Saros in the dark.

Benny and I entered the dining room, which had been changed up a bit. The table was gone, and buffet stations were lined along the walls. French doors were opened to the room beside it, and from what I remember Martha telling me, it was a ballroom. So people would get food and migrate into there. Jesus, he did this every week?

“There he is.” A woman I’d never met before approached me. “I’m Aunt Penelope. You have an expression as if a rabid squirrel just landed on your head.”

I chuckled. “Sorry, this is very overwhelming to me.”

“It can be, but don’t you worry, Em. You’ll do great and if not, tell me or Dafni.” She gestured to a woman who resembled Saros, only petite, and she waved. “You know Cosmo and Benny. Paulo is here somewhere, and this is my husband, Andrew, and of course you know Saros.”

Saros approached me. “You look good. How about we get you comfortable?”

“I’m okay right now.”

Saros glanced at Benny and Benny released me, and Saros took his place. “Let’s get a drink, then.”

Saros was sneaky. He did get us drinks but afterward moved us to an area with a couch and footrest. I laughed when he smiled triumphantly, but I let him have it. It was nice to have someone take care of me for a change.

“Hey, Boss.” I peeked up and a man with slicked back brown hair, wearing dark pants and a nice deep-blue button-up, entered the room.

“Mike.” Saros gestured to me. “Mike, this is Em.”

Mike held his hand out quickly, realizing I couldn’t shake with my broken finger and switched.

“Nice to meet you, Em.” He turned to Saros. “Think we can talk before everyone arrives?”

Saros was silent for a beat, his gaze calculating as he regarded Mike. I wondered what was going on but I’d never ask; it wasn’t my business.

“Sure, let’s go to my study.” His blue eyes met mine. “I won’t be long.”

“I’m fine, do your thing.”

He appeared hesitant but in the end, he got up, and he and Mike left. I was in what I believed was a sitting room. It was open, and from here I could see people milling about across the way in the dining room.

It was easy to see that Saros only opened up part of his home for these family dinners: the dining room, ballroom, and this sitting room.

I sipped the sweet tea; it was delicious. A moment later, a tiny little girl bounced in. Her brown hair was all ringlets, her eyes a light brown, and her smile made twin dimples pop. She wore a ruffled blush-colored dress.

“Hi,” she said to me.

I glanced around, and no one was with her. “Hello. What’s your name?”

“Maeve.” I estimated she was maybe three, possibly four.

I placed a hand on my chest. “My name is Em.”

“Em.” She giggled.

“Yeah, good job.”

She pointed to my hand and my ankle.

“Boo-boo?”

“Yeah, but I’ll be okay.”

And then she did the damndest thing. She gently kissed my ankle and moved over to my hand and did the same.

“Thank you. I’m feeling better already.” I wasn’t sure she understood me, but she beamed.

“Oh, there you are.” Cosmo walked in, fingers running through his hair. “Sorry, Em.”

“No, it’s fine. She’s sweet.”

“Thank you. This sweet girl is my daughter, Maeve.”

Oh, wow, Cosmo was a dad. “She’s magical too. She kissed my boo-boos better.”

Cosmo smiled and scooped his daughter up, making her erupt into a fit of giggles.

“Magic, huh?” He started tickling her, which had her snorting and cackling.

“Daddy!”

“Okay, demon, Mama is looking for you.” He put her down. “Go.” He pointed across the hall, where Dafni stood with a happy expression, waiting for her daughter.

Maeve bounced out of the room, and Cosmo sat beside me. “She’s a handful, that one.”

“She’s lovely, Cosmo.”

“Thanks, she’s my world. So is Tucker, my son, but he’s a newborn. He’s upstairs sleeping. Maybe you can meet him later.”

Cosmo stayed with me for a bit, and I did get up and walk. Paulo and Saros mostly kept me company.

At around six something, the house was full of people. A lot of laughter and I’d overheard a few stories. If I hadn’t known better, I’d think it was a regular family gathering and not the home of a mobster.

My ankle started hurting. Paulo had left to get a drink, and Saros was across the room talking to someone, so I made my way back to the sitting room. There was a wingback chair and footrest in the corner calling my name.

I sighed in relief as soon as I lifted my leg. There were a few people in the room, but no one was paying me any mind, so I rested my eyes for a second. Apparently it was for a second too long.

“You don’t belong here.”

I opened my eyes, and there was Brandi, hovering above me with an expression of pure disdain. Well, shit.