Chapter 9
Change the Plan
Rico
“Bro, why the fuck are we staying at Uncle Federico’s?” my cousin groans into the phone.
“Stop whining like a little pussy. He’s not worried about us. Nothing is going to change,” I laugh.
I jog down the stairs from my room after unpacking my things. Eduardo and Aldo’s plane just landed, and Aldo called to let me know they’ve arrived.
“I didn’t come to Miami to hang with my fucking uncle. Why can’t we stay at your place?”
“I’m having some work done,” I lie.
I’m not able to tell him I’m using that as an excuse so my uncle doesn’t get suspicious. If I allow him and his brother to stay at my place, it will look crazy. This is where I need to be, so everyone will be here with me.
“That shit couldn’t wait? Fuck it. What are we doing tonight?”
“I have plans. You’ll see when you get here. Now get off my phone. I have shit to do.”
I pull the phone from my ear and hang up. I want Oni to meet my cousins. Eduardo and Aldo are more like brothers to me.
None of this shit has ever come between us. I hope that it never does. Our other cousin, now that’s another story.
Time will tell there. Moving to the French doors that lead out to the pool from this room, I stop and stare out. Oni is sitting out by the pool with my younger cousin, Emilia.
I should have known Uncle Emilio would have her come to stay to have eyes on Oni. My pop probably agreed to make Oni feel more comfortable. Emilia just turned seventeen.
She’s your typical Mafia princess. She can do no wrong in our family’s eyes. Emilia doesn’t take any shit, but she’s a sweetheart under it all.
She’ll make a great companion for Oni. They already seem to be hitting it off.
“How did I know you would return with her?” my pop says as he comes to my side.
“What, you don’t want your only son under your roof? Come on, Pop. You know you miss me,” I say and turn to him with a wide smile.
He slaps my cheek and grunts. “This face. If I didn’t love you, I’d punch you right in it. What were you thinking?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know Emilio. You don’t show him your hand. You never show a weakness.” He points toward Oni. “She is a weakness.”
“Pop—”
He holds a hand up and shakes his head. “Come, take a walk with me. We need to talk.”
I sigh and follow him from the room. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I stroll beside him quietly. I knew this was coming.
“She’s pretty. I lot prettier than I thought she would be. Your plan needs to be adjusted. There’s no way you’re walking into a room and she doesn’t pull more attention than necessary,” Pop starts.
I thought about this myself. I had planned to have Oni on my arm, but after my uncle’s reaction, I’m second-guessing myself. Oni doesn’t need to pull unwanted attention if she’s going to disappear mid-engagement.
“What if she doesn’t come in on my arm? Listen, I can arrive and give the signal when our targets are all in the room. Then she can get the list, load up, and arrive after.
“By the time anyone realizes their shit is missing, she’ll be at the party with me, and no one will suspect her.”
“That’s a great idea, but there’s one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve never been a fool. I know you’ve either claimed the girl or intend to. Anyone looking to push your buttons will see they can use her. I think it might be better if I’m the escort. I’ve been known to have a pretty young face on my arm,” he says.
“Not this young,” I bite out.
“Relax, I’m old enough to be her father. This is business.”
He waves me off. “You see what I mean? Rico, either change the plan and involve me or find another hustle. You’re the one looking to impress my brother. I have other jobs I can set in motion.”
“Fine, I like the idea, but I don’t think we should run the same game as many times as we planned. There needs to be one or two where neither of you shows your faces,” I reply.
“Now you’re thinking. I’ll have Estell come by to fit the girl for a few gowns. Meanwhile, I promised her uncle she would be safe. I’m going to have her work as my assistant. I don’t need you making me a grandfather and starting a war.”
“Pop, really?”
“Like I said, she’s pretty, gorgeous in fact. I bet you don’t make it to the end of the summer without falling into her bed. I was young once too.”
“It’s not like that. She’s sixteen. I’m nineteen. That ain’t gonna happen.”
He roars with laughter. “Whatever you say, son. Whatever you say.”
He walks off, leaving me frowning after him as he continues to laugh like I told the world’s funniest joke. I roll my eyes and turn to head out to the pool, where Oni and Emilia should be.
I pull my phone to shoot Mario a text. Now that we’re changing the plan, we’ll need to discuss a few things. I need to see him.
When I step out of the back of the house, laughter causes me to lift my head. I stop dead in my tracks as I find Oni and Emilia now in swimsuits. My mouth falls open as my gaze locks on Oni.
The little bikini she has on is going to get someone killed. The beige two-piece is showing off that sexy body and all that silky-looking brown skin. When she crosses her legs and places her arms behind her back, I can’t help but wonder if she knows what she’s doing to me.
“Fuck me. Come on,” I huff.
Oni
“Oh my God. You don’t have something else I can borrow? My ass is eating this thing,” I say to Emilia and reach to pull the bikini bottoms out of my butt.
Emilia bursts into laughter. “You look hot. If I know my cousin, there will be tons of hot guys around here before the night is over.”
That’s the last thing I want to hear. Rico’s head might explode if he sees me in this thing. He was pissed about a phone call.
He’s not going to like this bikini one bit. I wouldn’t even argue because I know it’s inappropriate.
“About that …” I say and trail off, biting my lip.
“Don’t tell me you already have a boyfriend back in New York. That’s going to make this summer suck. Not only will you be no fun at all the parties I want to take you to, but you’re probably going to spend all your time on the phone with him.”
I snicker at her. I can’t tell her about Rico. That would go against the rules he set back at his house.
Besides, Uncle Emilio is her dad. I’m not sure Rico would want her to know about us. Right as I get ready to tell her I don’t have a boyfriend, Rico steps from the house.
“Look, there’s Cousin Rico. Let’s see what he thinks. He’s always so focused on work. If you can get a reaction out of him, you might be right, and I’ll find you something else.”
“Or you could just give me something else now. I don’t want to spend the day pulling this crap out of my butt cheeks.”
Emilia bursts into laughter. “You’re so funny. I thought this was going to be such a lame summer, but now you’re here.”
“Yay,” I murmur and frown.
I like her, but this bathing suit has to go. My mom would kill me. This thing makes my boobs look huge and my ass is barely covered. I also look older in it.
Emilia laughs again as she throws her arms around my neck and hugs me. When she lets me go, I turn to look at Rico. He looks up from his phone and his eyes lock on me.
I know right away this bikini is a bad idea. Lust fills his eyes as he stands, taking me in from head to toe. I cross my thighs and reach to clasp my hands behind me as if that will cover my ass even though he can’t see behind me from where he stands.
“Rico, come here. Have you met Oni? Your dad said she’s his new assistant. She’ll be here for the summer.
“She’s so cool. She’s from New York too. I think you guys will get along.”
I bite my lip as Rico saunters over. His face becomes expressionless. I try my best to mirror him and have no reaction to his presence.
If he can sell this, so can I. However, when he stops before me, I’m not sure I can do it. He smells so good, and my body wants to lean into him.
“How much did he give you?” Rico says as he looks Emilia in the eyes.
“He promised five hundred a day and Demarco comes off the list,” Emilia says, dropping her smile and her voice.
Rico snorts and rocks his jaw. I watch as a dark cloud comes over his face. I’m not sure what they’re talking about, but he’s pissed.
He looks at me and rolls his gaze over me, nodding to himself. I feel like I’m missing something here, but I remain silent and frozen in my spot.
“I’ll give you fifteen hundred a day. If I have to, I’ll take Demarco off the board myself. Fucker is too old to be trying to secure a marriage between the two of you anyway,” Rico says.
“Deal.”
Rico turns to me and grasps me by the back of my neck. I’m taken by surprise when he tugs me to him and pecks me on the lips. I look at Emilia and then back at him.
“I thought—”
“Your secret is safe with me. My father sent me here to spy on you guys, but Rico just made me a better offer. Besides, I like you and I really do want to be friends.
“My father doesn’t allow me to hang out much. It will be good to have someone I can spend time with,” Emilia explains.
“Oh.”
This family is weird. I definitely need to keep my head on a swivel around them. I’m pulled from my thoughts as Rico glides his hand across my stomach, raising goose bumps.
I look up as he’s examining me. Looking over my front and then my back. I lift a brow at him. He bites down on his lip and shakes his head.
“Nah, I’m not cool with this. You need to change,” he says, looking me in the eyes.
“Oh, come on. She looks superhot. A body like that was made for that suit,” Emilia whines.
“Yeah, if it were in her size, maybe. And that’s a big maybe. My girl isn’t sitting around like this. Not in this lifetime.”
“Fine. I have a one-piece in my bag. What’s the plan for tonight? Are Ed and Al still coming in?”
“They’re already here. They should be pulling up soon. We’re all heading out at eight. Oni here is going to have her first experience at The Garden.”
“The Garden? What’s that?”
“It’s an underground club. I went for the first time last summer. It’s cool.” Emilia shrugs.
“I don’t have my fake ID. I left it back in New York,” I say.
Rico snorts. “You’ll be with me. You don’t need a fake ID.”
I nod and lick my lips. He’s been rubbing his thumb against my skin and it’s driving me crazy. Loud voices and laughter begin to float from the house.
Rico releases me and taps my butt. “Go change. Now,” he commands.