Chapter 3 #3
“Sorry, Papà, but Dominique better not have any boys all up in her face. She is too young, and if I find out some boy is trying to talk to my little sister, then he is going to have to deal with me. Nobody will ever be good enough for her.” I declare.
Dominique was the princess of our family, and I ‘ve become very protective of her, so yes, I was pulling the big brother card.
Dominique huffs. “Well, that’s not for you to decide, Davide.
If and when I decide to start dating, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Remember, you will be in Italy, and I will be here.
You may be the future head of our family, but as far as my love life is concerned, that will be a part of my life, you will have no say in. ”
She folds her arms over her chest as if she won this debate.
Oh, little sister, you just didn’t know.
Since being here and getting to know Momma Calista’s family, I have become good friends with some of my new cousins, and just because I will be back in Italy didn’t mean I couldn’t keep tabs on her.
“It doesn’t work that way, quello piccolo,” Papà says, making Dominique’s jaw drop.
“Anyone you bring into your life will have to be vetted. This person could be working for our enemies or maybe trying to use you with a hidden agenda. While I think Davide may be a little extreme, it does not change the fact that you can’t just bring anybody around our family. We have rules, and that’s one of them.”
Our waiter approaches the table. “Good evening, I’m Lafayette, your waiter for this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?” He glances around the table. I clear my throat when his eyes linger on Dominique too long.
“I’ll have an iced tea with lemon.” I roughly answer, staring him down.
Dominique orders the same while Papà and Momma Calista each order a glass of white wine. Lafayette jots down our orders before stating he’ll be back with our drinks while we look over the menu.
Just looking at everything listed on the menu had my stomach growling. I wanted to try every dish they had.
“Davide, do you know what you want?” Papà asks, scanning over his menu.
“Honestly, I can’t decide. Everything sounds so good.” I reply, still going over the menu.
“I know how you feel figlio. I was the same way when I first came here. How about we order one of everything so you can sample each of the dishes?” He offers.
“That would be great, papà. I’ve never had alligator before, and I’m dying to try it.” I reply, folding my menu.
“Well, it tastes like chicken, so you’re not missing much.” Dominique murmurs, still looking at the menu.
Momma Calista places her menu on the table. “Some say it tastes like chicken, but that’s for you to decide, Davide. It may taste differently to you.”
Lafayette returns with our drinks. Once he sets them on the table, he asks if we’re ready to order. Papà tells him we’ll have one of each appetizer’s as well as all the entrees. Lafayette’s eyes light up. Yeah, he knew if he did things right, he was in for one hell of a tip.
As we waited for Lafayette to return with the appetizers, we talked about me and Dominique’s training with Rikisi.
I would’ve thought Momma Calista might’ve been upset by today’s session, but she sat there taking every detail.
I know if it was my mother, she would’ve demanded that papa never let me go again.
That was one of the things I was going to miss about Momma Calista, she was so carefree and laid back.
As much as I loved my mother, I found myself loving her just as equally.
Lafayette and two more servers came back carrying trays with the appetizers. When he finished placing the last plate, the table was filled with the most delectable looking dishes, I didn’t know where to start.
“Davide, try the crab cakes!” Dominique suggests pointing to the item.
Using the serving utensil, I pick up one of the crab cakes and place it on my plate. Dominique offers me a ramequin with a weird looking sauce in it. “This is a remoulade sauce. You dip the cake in it.”
Taking my knife and fork, I cut a small piece of the cake and dip it into the sauce. There was an explosion of flavors in my mouth as I began to chew. I closed my eyes and hummed from the mouthwatering morsel. This shit was sinful. I open my eyes and see everyone staring at me with smiles.
“I told you they were good,” Dominique brags, taking a bite of her crab cake.
“Do you need anything else? Your entrées are cooking as we speak?” Lafayette asks from the side of the table. I was so engrossed in the crab cake that I forgot he was standing there.
Papà wipes his mouth before answering. “We’re okay right now. With all these appetizers sitting here, I’m not sure if we’ll have room for the entrées.”
Lafayette dips his head. “Can I get you two another glass of wine?” He offers, looking at their almost empty glasses.
“Yes, please,” Papà responds.
“I’ll be back shortly.” Lafayette counters before leaving the table.
I had to have more of the crab cakes, so I placed another on my plate, as well as some of the bacon-wrapped scallops with Cajun cream sauce and two of the meat pies.
“I don’t know Davide, with the way you’re piling that plate, you might have to take the entrées to go.” Momma Calista teases, as she giggles. Papà and Dominique join her.
“I can’t help it. If everything else tastes as good as the crab cakes, I’ll be taking many to-go bags back to the house.” I state, biting into the meat pies. Damn, it was good too.
We dug into our food, enjoying the delicious samples. Yeah, I was definitely getting some doggie bags.
“Um, excuse me. I need to go to the washroom.” Dominique announces as she places her napkin on the table before standing. Papà and I rise then sit when she walks away.
Ten minutes later, Papà, Momma Calista and I were still feasting on the appetizers.
We’ve barely made a dent in the food. I kept looking in the direction Dominique went, wondering what was taking her so long to come back.
Then I thought about how that waiter was staring at her.
If he had my little sister hemmed up trying to make a play on her, I was going to beat his ass.
“Excuse me, the sweet tea,” I say, patting my belly.
“See what’s taking your sister so long, while you’re up,” Papà instructs.
I nod before making my way to the back of the restaurant.
I pass a few waiters and customers as I walk down the hall following the sign to the bathroom.
Passing the different stations that the staff prepped at, I had to take a step back when I saw Dominique quietly walking up behind Lafayette as he pours wine into a wine glass.
Before I could say a word, she strikes him with quick pressure point hits Rikisi taught us that had him locking up, rendering him speechless and immobile.
His eyes bulge as if he’s seen a ghost. She catches the wine bottle as it slips from his hand, then sets it on the counter.
When she drew her hand back about to hit with a lethal blow, I stepped in.
“Dominique, what the hell are you doing?” I ask, quickly approaching.
The look in her eyes when she turned to me was something I had never seen in my little sister before. Her expression held nothing but death. What did this mother fucker do to her for her to be like this?
“What happened, little sister? Talk to me! Did that asshole do something to you?”
Dominique blinks a couple times before saying, “Go get, Papà.”
“What?” I question with a frown
“Go get Papà now, Davide! I’ll stay here to make sure no one else comes in.” She replies.
“Lock this door!” I tell her, before I quickly retreat. Papà and Momma Calista were chatting when I returned to the table. They stop when they see me.
“Where’s your sister?” Momma Calista asks, before taking a sip of her water.
Thinking quick, I reply, “She’s talking to one of her friends she ran into.” I turn to papà. “Can I talk to you privately for a second?”
He raises his eyebrow, but I convey with my eyes that this was important. He leans over and whispers in Momma Calista’s ear before leaving his seat.
“What’s going on, figlio?” He queries once we’re in the hallway.
“Follow me, Papà. It’s Dominique.” I say in a rush.
His eyes widen. “Where is your sister?!”
I swallow hard as his expression changes from worried to anger as I tell him what I walked up on.
“Take me to her now!” He commands.
I lead him down the hall. When we get to the door where I left Dominique, I lightly tap on it twice. “It’s me and Papà, Dominique.”
She unlocks the door then opens it. Papà pushes past me, taking her in his arms. “Are you okay, quello piccolo? Why are you locked in here?” He asks as he stares down at her when he pulls back.
He looks around the room then notices Lafayette standing like a fucking zombie with tears rolling down his face.
Papà lets Dominique go as he walks over to Lafayette.
Although he is unable to speak, Lafayette’s eyes plead for Papà to help him.
“What did he do?” He hisses.