Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
I’m surprised we had as much time as we did in that club before my brother stormed in to take us home. I did not, however, expect CJ to be the one doing the storming and demanding. Although it’s a lot easier to ignore his threats and call him on his bluffs.
But the moment Aurelio said he was going to call Dad, I knew he wasn’t bluffing, which is why I’m following him out of the club, right alongside my sister.
“You know, if he had been a girl, our life would be so much easier,” Rosie moans.
“I agree.” I laugh. “Mom and Dad really screwed up on that conception.”
“I can hear you,” Aurelio says.
“Good,” Rosie counters. “Just once, I wish you could just have fun with us, Aurelio. You never have fun.”
Aurelio spins on her. We’ve just made it out to the casino floor. “Have fun? How the fuck am I supposed to do that, Rosie, when all you two do is find trouble? And it’s my job to take care of the both of you.”
“That’s a job you’ve assigned to yourself. You don’t need to take care of us,” Rosie says.
“You want to have fun, Rosie? Fine, let’s have fun.” Aurelio pulls his phone from his pocket.
“What are you doing?” she questions him.
“Booking us a table. I happen to know a much better club. Come on,” he says, leading the way to the front of the casino.
Rosie and I share a look. Neither of us utters a word, because we have no idea what our brother is up to.
It’s not until we get to the valet that everyone else in our little entourage catches up with us. “You booked a table at Seven Mile?” Alfie asks Aurelio.
“Yes, they want to have fun. We’re going to have fun.”
Alfie and Aurelio share a look.
“Wait, she needs to go home,” CJ says, pointing at me.
“She has a name, asshole.” I glare at him. “And a mind of her own and something called free will.”
“Oh, I’m more than aware of your free will, darling,” CJ replies, his tone dripping in sarcasm and a hint of hurt. It’s the darling part that sends shivers up my spine, though.
“Okay, are we going or are we standing around here all night doing the will they or won’t they thing?” Frankie looks between me and CJ.
“It’s a won’t. Definitely a won’t,” I tell her before getting into the back of the car while my brother holds the door open.
“I think you have a shot,” I hear Elias tell CJ before the door closes.
“Are you okay? You’re flushed,” Rosie whispers from the seat next to me.
“It’s the alcohol.” It’s a lie. It’s CJ. He has this effect on me. Which is why I need distance between us.
“Okay, well, we need more of that.” Rosie smirks.
“You have two hours. Both of you, and then we’re going home. You do not leave the club. You don’t sneak off to any darkened corners. You stay right within my line of sight the entire time. Do you understand?” Aurelio says from the driver’s seat.
Alfie laughs from where he’s positioned in the passenger seat.
“You know it’s your sister’s fault they’re even out,” Aurelio reminds him.
“My sister doesn’t do a thing wrong. It’s not her fault,” Alfie says with more seriousness than he should. Does he even know who his sister is?
“How’s Molly?” I ask.
Alfie has a thing for a new woman who’s in town trying to buy buildings while he’s doing everything in his power to prevent the sales from going through. She already got her hands on one. There’re two more she’s going after.
“Molly is a fucking genius.” Alfie smiles like a fool in love.
“Yeah, shitty taste in men, though,” I retort.
Alfie turns in his seat, sending me an icy glare that I’m sure scares most people. “Whatever it is you’re doing with my cousin, you need to stop.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I assure him.
“CJ, he was fucked up last time you left. Don’t fuck with him, Daniella,” Alfie warns.
“Don’t talk to her like that, asshole.” Aurelio shoves at Alfie’s shoulder, forcing him to turn back in his seat.
“You didn’t see the mess she left behind,” Alfie grumbles.
Guilt eats at me. I know I hurt him. But it’s not like I didn’t hurt myself too. I will the tears not to come. I am not crying right now. Rosie reaches over and grips my hand in hers, squeezing, letting me know she’s right here.
“If you know what’s good for you, Alfie Giuliani, you will not speak to my sister like that. I’ll cut your damn vocal cords from your throat,” Rosie hisses.
My eyes widen at her. I know my little sister looks the part of sweet and innocent, but she is far from it. “Rosie, it’s fine,” I tell her.
“You and what army, Little Rosie?” Alfie taunts.
“Oh, I don’t need an army, Alfie. I can do it all on my own. Wanna see how?” Rosie hums in that sugary-sweet voice of hers.
“You Australians are fucking insane,” Alfie grunts.
“You should keep that in mind next time you threaten my sister,” Rosie counters.
I catch Aurelio’s gaze in the rearview mirror. He’s doing his best not to smile at our sister’s alter ego popping her psycho little head out.
Finally, we pull into the Royal Flush. I was standing on the street in front of this building when CJ got shot. Because of me. Just another time he got hurt because of me. Again, I’m consumed by guilt.
Rosie tugs on my hand as she steps out of the car, dragging me out behind her. “I wonder how many hot guys I can find in here. The last place was severely lacking.”
“Oh, little sissy, you don’t have to worry about that. Because you’ve got the ultimate cock-block right here with you,” Aurelio says while pointing a finger at his chest.
Rosie rolls her eyes while linking her arm with mine. “We need to find a way to ditch the wet rag,” she whispers.
“Or we just enjoy the fact he’s bringing us out and not dragging us home,” I suggest. I have no interest in men anyway. I’m more than happy to dance the night away, drink, and hang out with my sister.
By the time we reach the doors to the club Aurelio chose, we’re surrounded by all of our friends.
Frankie, Alfie’s little sister and Emilio’s wife, comes up to my side. “I’m sorry my husband told them where we were.”
“I figured he would.” I laugh. “It was only a matter of time.”
Frankie’s husband is the definition of obsessive stalker vibes. I don’t think she can go anywhere without Emilio knowing where she is.
“It’s okay, honestly. I’m just happy to be finding a dance floor,” I tell her.
I love dancing. It’s freeing, and when I’m on the dance floor, I’m able to let the music take over and clear my mind of everything that haunts me. Namely him. The one person I’m doing my best to ignore right now.
But when I take a quick look at him, I see pain etched on his face. His hand rubs at his stomach. I reach into my clutch and grab the two Advil I was planning on taking before I left the club tonight. It’s my no hangover method. Take Advil and drink a bottle of water. It’s never failed me.
As soon as we reach the booth, I’m quick to take the seat next to CJ, which gains the looks of everyone around us. I hand him the Advil under the table. “Take these.”
“You trying to drug me, darling?” he asks in a low tone.
I roll my eyes at him. “It’s Advil. You need something for the pain you’re in.”
“No amount of drugs can mask the pain I’ve been in, Dani,” he says, taking the Advil from me and popping them into his mouth.
Well, shit, I deserve that, I guess.
“We’re not here to fuck spiders, assholes. Let’s drink already!” Aurelio yells out across the table, raising a bottle of Cinque whiskey.
Picking up an empty glass, I hold it out towards my brother for him to fill. Having your family own and run a distillery means I am no stranger to the drink. I bring the glass to my lips and let the liquid slide down my throat, enjoying the burn from within.