Chapter 11
Mia
This party is kind of like something I would have planned myself. Although instead of having the bar inside, I’d have kept the bar outside, since most people are enjoying the beautiful weather. The view is gorgeous and definitely creates a nice backdrop to this party. I’d probably have a live band instead of a DJ, but either way this is a lot of fun.
I could see myself enjoying a life like this.
A large family, enjoying wine, laughing and dancing. It makes me want to get up and get out on the makeshift dance floor.
Instead, I’ve been trying to get close to Sebastian all night, but he keeps getting pulled in a million different directions.
He told me earlier he had to speak with me. And since then, I’ve been trying to get a second alone with him, but have failed miserably.
Enzo leers at me, scooting closer as we sit on the couch in the living room. His dark hair hangs low over his eyes and his bright pink Polo shows off that he’s a man who can pull off pink.
I’m sure Sebastian wouldn’t think so. Sebastian isn’t Enzo’s biggest fan, and I know it’s because he’s looking out after me, but a part of me wonders if Sebastian is jealous.
Maybe it’s just me hoping he is.
My thoughts drift back to the kiss he planted on me before we were rudely interrupted by Lucia.
I wanted so much more.
I wanted him to keep kissing me slowly.
“Want to go outside?” Enzo says, bringing me back to reality.
I yawn. “I’m actually getting a little tired.” Lies. It’s funny but Italy is completely invigorating. I feel like I possess this new sense of self worth. Like for the first time in my whole life I’m finally living the life I’m meant to be living.
Is it Italy? Or the kiss?
“No, you can’t sleep now. We still have more wine.”
Oh, Enzo take a hint.
I smile politely. “I’ll have to take a rain check. I can’t possibly drink anymore.”
“Do you need me to walk you back to the house?”
I glance around, looking for Sebastian. “My father can walk me home.”
“Your father needs to loosen up.” Enzo scoots closer.
“Why do you say that?”
Enzo leans closer. “He hovers over you like you’re a piece of meat.”
I lean away from him. “He’s just a little protective of me.”
“A little? The man gives you no freedom whatsoever. I’d love to get to know you more, maybe take you out while you’re here.”
“I won’t be here much longer. Maybe another week at the most.”
Enzo runs his hand along the back of the couch, inching closer. “Does your father allow you to date?”
I smile. “Of course, he does. I’m old enough for that.”
“How I see it, you’re old enough to do everything and your father should sit the fuck back and let you live the life you want.”
“You don’t think he does?” I don’t like hearing Enzo speak this way about Sebastian, even if Sebastian has gone a little more overboard than any normal father would.
He’s obviously protective of me because someone is after us.
“I don’t think he does. I imagine your father doesn’t let you out of his sight. I bet he intimidates all your boyfriends.”
“I don’t really date much.”
“Exactly, it’s because of him, isn’t it?”
I think back to my real life. I’m telling the truth when I say I don’t really date that much. And I wonder why I don’t. It’s because of Sebastian Cain. He’s been in my life since I was nineteen, and I’ve had a crush on him since day one.
I’ve never acted on those feelings though.
I told myself I never would.
Sure, I’ve thought about it countless times over the years. It’s hard to date someone when you’re hung up on someone else.
“Maybe he cares a lot.” Because the thought of Sebastian caring for me turns me on in the worst of ways.
Enzo smiles, his dark eyes shining. “I think he cares too much. Maybe he needs to get laid so he won’t be all up in your life. See,” he points across the house where Lucia hangs all over Sebastian. “I think he’ll be getting some tonight. He looks ready to go. He looks drunk.”
I examine Sebastian more closely, wondering if he is indeed drunk. I stand from the couch, walking toward him.
I get angry when I see Lucia hold him up. He grabs onto her like he’s desperate. If you look closely enough I’m sure you can see the smoke coming out of my ears from how much the sight of this pisses me off.
He’s drunk.
That fact makes me more upset.
“Don, are you drunk?” I ask, when I get closer, parking a hand on my hip.
Lucia laughs, holding Sebastian up. “It’s ok, sweetheart. I’ve got him tonight.”
I don’t like the way she says that.
“My father would be mad if I let him do something while drunk. I can take him home so he can sleep this off.”
Lucia laughs again, and Sebastian laughs with her. “I’ve got Don here. He’s promised to be a good boy.”
My eyes narrow. “Dad,” I say, to remind him of why we’re here, “I think you should come home with me.”
“Gianna, my Gia,” he mumbles out. “Mia,” he slurs by accident.
I laugh, too high-pitched, and take Sebastian’s hand. “Someone is really drunk. I should get him home. He doesn’t like when he does things drunk and someone isn’t there to stop him.”
Lucia tries to take Sebastian’s hand away from me, and it’s turning dangerously close to a tug-of-war match between the two of us. “I’ll take good care of Don tonight.”
What if I can’t pry him away from her? Problem solved when Mario appears.
“Lucia, let Don’s daughter get him home so he can rest.” Mario’s voice is low and powerful and stops Lucia in her tracks.
“Yes, sir.” Lucia lets go of Sebastian and I take over.
“Gia,” he slurs again.
I’ve never seen anyone so drunk, and it makes me wonder exactly what he’s had tonight.
“Do you need help?” Enzo asks as I walk with Sebastian out of the house. He follows after us, and I stop.
“We’re fine. I’ll, uh, call you later,” I tell him to make him stop following after us.
I help Sebastian further away from the house. He leans against me like I’m a crutch he needs to walk. And then he let’s go once we’re halfway down the hill, and I try to hold onto him more.
“Lean on me. Let’s get you home in one piece,” I say to him.
“Mia,” he whispers. “Thank you,” he says perfectly normal with no slur to his words.
“Wait, you’re not really drunk?”
He still plays the part, but he stands a little straighter the further we get away from the house. “I knew it was the only way to get us both out of there without trouble.”
“Trouble?” I ask, as we walk arm and arm to the guest house.
“You with Enzo and me with Lucia.”
I laugh a little. “Do you not think I couldn’t handle myself?”
He stops walking, the moon reflecting in his eyes as he stares at me. “I didn’t want to test it.”
“Sebastian,” I whisper. “What are you doing?”
He leans closer, but quickly steps away. “We’re heading to Rome on Monday. Oliver’s there.”
“What excuse did you give?”
“Distribution.” He laughs a little.
“Distribution? What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’ll explain it all, promise.”
I want him to kiss me again, and because I want that kiss, I continue walking as we play the charade of me taking my drunken father home.
When we make it inside the guest house, Sebastian heads toward the kitchen. “I’m not a fan of Enzo,” he finally says, after a few beats of silence.
I smile. “I kind of figured.”
“No, it’s something more than that. I was thinking at the party as I watched him with you. He kept checking his phone, like he was texting with someone.”
I shrug. “So?”
“So, I started thinking what if… just hear me out,” he holds up his hands like he’s about to explain something important, “what if Oliver needed help? To steal that type of money he couldn’t have done everything on his own.”
“You think Enzo might be helping him?”
“Well, whenever I mentioned Oliver at the party tonight, Enzo pulled his phone out immediately. Like he was talking to him.”
“Maybe I should go back to the party? Get his phone?”
Sebastian steps closer. “I don’t like the idea of you hanging around that asshole.”
“You need to learn to trust me.” I pat him on the shoulder as I walk away. “I’ll be back later.”
“Mia, don’t leave this house.”
I park a hand on my hip. “Or what? You’ll spank me?”
He steps closer. “Don’t test me, Mia.”
“We need information. Enzo probably has some. I’m going to get it.”
“Like hell you are.”
“Excuse me. Let’s get one thing straight. You’re not my real father.” I back up and am flush against the wall with Sebastian leaning into me.
“No, but he is my best friend, and I know he’d agree with me on this one.”
I cross my arms over my chest, angry.
“I don’t like the way he looks at you,” Sebastian says.
I laugh a little. “How does he look at me?”
Sebastian breathes heavily against my skin, and my heartbeat accelerates. “Like he wants to eat you.”
And then his lips crash against mine. His hands roam my body and move under my dress as the kiss deepens.
“You turn me on in the worst way,” he whispers against my mouth.
“Sebastian, we shouldn’t be doing this. What if someone sees us?”
“Fuck ‘em.” His tongue drags across my collarbone, and my insides turn to mush.
I run my fingers through his hair. “We should stop.” As soon as his wandering hands reach my panties, there’s a knock at the front door.
“Fuck, now who’s here?”
I rush to the door, peering through the peephole. “Go up to your room,” I whisper to Sebastian. “It’s Enzo.”
Sebastian crosses his arms. “Do not let him in here.”
I shoo him away. “We need info on Oliver. Go, now.” I twist the door handle and Sebastian makes his way up the stairs.
I run my hands through my hair to make sure I look presentable before opening the front door for Enzo. “Hi.”
His face lights up. “Hi.” He steps inside, not waiting for an invitation, and moves into the living room. “How’s your dad?”
I step away from him, keeping myself in a position where I can safely get upstairs if needs be. “He’s passed out.” Which he’s completely not. If I had to guess he’s at the top of the stairs listening to every word.
This thought makes me feel safe.
“You know my aunt would’ve taken care of him.” He laughs a little, but I don’t find it funny.
“Care to sit down.” I motion my hand toward the sofa.
He doesn’t take me up on my offer. Instead stands rooted to his spot, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s strange that you wouldn’t let your father go home with Lucia.”
“Really?” I cross my arms, mirroring his stance. “I think my father will appreciate it in the morning. He’s not here to get laid. He’s here on business.” I’m getting agitated that Enzo would even concern himself with this subject.
It’s silly. And why does he even care?
He makes me nervous as he steps closer, but I have to believe Sebastian isn’t far away, even though he should be because I don’t want him to get caught and our cover blown.
Enzo crosses his arms over his broad chest. “What type of business is that?”
My eyes widen. Why is he asking me this? “Business, business. I don’t know. He’s checking things out.”
Enzo stares at me for a minute. “Why are you here?”
Who is this guy? The police? I’m getting frustrated with his questions and I relax a bit so he doesn’t notice he’s affecting me.
“I like to travel around with him. I wanted to see Italy, too. And I guess I should check things out if I’m to take over the business one day.”
This makes Enzo laugh. “I can’t see you doing this for a living.”
I cross my arms over my chest to mirror his stance. “Oh, really? What is it you see me doing?”
He rubs at his chin. “Shopping.”
I open my mouth in shock. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“Is it true?”
“Are you calling me shallow? I’ll have you know I have dreams.” I know it shouldn’t bother me what some man from a mafia family on the other side of the world thinks about me, but for some reason I do. It pisses me off he has such a low opinion of me.
I think I’m more upset because I know Sebastian is listening.
He steps closer, and I take one step back. “Are you?”
“I think you should leave,” I tell him.
“I didn’t mean to make you…” his words fall away when he sees I’m not budging. “I’m sorry. I’ll see myself out.”
I walk to the door with him anyway and slam it shut when he leaves.
Shallow.
I have dreams. I just don’t wear them on my sleeve.