“Simmer down, firecracker. I’m sure you will have no trouble finding a dance partner. With that being said, remember that while you find me to be a cool cousin, your brother will still gut any man who touches you. So, keep it PG. Got it?”
What she doesn’t know is that we already have a couple of our men lined up to offer to dance with her, some of the newbies who have yet to be marked. A test for them, but Greer will be none the wiser.
“Bash is such a killjoy. Why can’t he just let me live my life? I’m nineteen. I’m a woman, not a child.”
I chuckle. This is the same argument she has every time you bring up her big brother. She resents his position in the family because of how it affects her. She can be a bit selfish at times.
“Stop laughing at me, Giovanni. It’s not funny. I’m being serious here. He ships me off to Italy and pretty much forgets I exist. Then when I do come back, he doesn’t let me out of his sight. It’s suffocating.” She crosses her arms, finishing the spoiled brat look.
“He sent you to Italy because you couldn’t stay out of trouble here. The all-girls school didn’t hurt. As for him not letting you out of his sight, well, I don’t see him around now. Unless you think he’s hiding in the back somewhere.” I peek over the back seat and chuckle.
“You’re a jerk, Giovanni Vito Catalini. I don’t know why I even bother talking to you.”
I tickle her side and chuckle at her giggles.
“You talk to me because I’m your favorite. You love me even when I pick on you. Now, are we going to keep whining like children or are we going to party?”
That changes her tune quickly.
“Party. Will you let me drink?” Her eyes look up at me hopefully. I know Bash will kill me later, but I would rather her drink with me than sneak it. As it is, she already drinks in Italy where the drinking age is lower. So, it’s nothing new to her.
“Only a couple. If you get too drunk, Bash might have my head.”
She hugs me tight as we pull up outside the club. “I wouldn’t let him. You’re my favorite, after all. I would protect you.”
I sigh as she jumps out of the car without warning. She might be the death of us all.
I jump out behind her and smirk as I listen to Enzo chastising her. The look on her face says she doesn’t care, but he still reads her the riot act about her dangerous behavior. He isn’t wrong, but I understand where she’s coming from. The suffocating lifestyle is what made me want to run away from this place.
Once in the family, your soul is no longer your own. You’ve sold it to the devil with no hopes of getting it back.
I take pity on Greer and stop the lecture. “Let’s go inside. It’s time to have us a party.”
Enzo gives me a dirty look, but I simply smirk at him. He doesn’t scare me. If it wasn’t for the fact that he’s guarded Greer most of her life, I would have punched his teeth out for daring to look at me that way. His deep concern for my cousin is the only thing that keeps me smiling. If he’s willing to take me on in order to keep my cousin safe, then he can toss all the dirty looks he wants my way.
I lead Greer deeper into the club and chuckle at how quick people move out of our way. The club has been open for hours now and its ladies’ night, so it’s packed. Most of the time, women are trying to plaster themselves to me while the men stay out of my way.
Tonight, they are giving us a wide berth.
“Drink first?” Greer yells up at me.
I point up. “VIP. You can get a drink up there.”
She looks longingly at the downstairs bar but allows me to lead her upstairs.
“Don’t look so sad. At least you’re in a club. You know Bash would never normally let you do this. Take the inch, Greer. Don’t push for the mile.”
She sighs and hugs my center. “You’re right. Plus, you did say I could have a drink.”
“That I did.” I hug her back then pull away. “What will you have?”
She bites her lip, contemplating. “I don’t know. I don’t really drink.”
I stare at her for a minute as she stares back. After a minute, I burst out laughing. “Who the fuck do you think you’re kidding, kid? We both know you drink more than you let on. What do you want to drink?”
She drops the innocent act and puts her hands on her hips. “Are you going to be cheap or get me the good stuff?”
“Who do you think you’re talking to? Only the best for you,bambina.”
