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Thank God. I feel my body relax a little. The last thing I need in this scary new social scene is scandalous rumors or drama.
The waiters finally arrive at our table, setting down the delicate china, their movements synchronized like some beautiful dance.
I carefully balance a forkful of food into my mouth. I chose the lamb and I’m not disappointed. Dinner is delicious.
“How are you enjoying Millerton University?” Albert’s friend asks, filling the silence in between courses. “You’re a first year, is that correct?”
I pat my mouth with my napkin. That is a complicated question and I’m not sure how to answer it.
I decide to go with what I actually want. “I love learning,” I answer honestly, “And my goal is to eventually go on to law school,” I look over at my mother. “I hope.”
Albert’s friend smiles politely at me.
Just as fast as they appeared, the staff returns to clear our plates. Music begins to play in the background as people mingle and champagne is served.
I glance around. Now that people are moving about, maybe I can escape. Get some fresh air.
Clear my head.
I’m about to make my move when I notice a young woman draped in a gold silk dress approach Nico, two flutes of champagne in her slender hands.
Her narrow hips sashay easily through the crowd of people. God, she looks gorgeous.
The way the material flows across her silhouette is stunning.
I look down at my dress and compare myself to her. She matches Nico and Enzo’s beauty far better than I do. She’s otherworldly.
Doubt seeps into my brain, poisoning the cautious happiness I had allowed to bloom.
How could someone like me keep the attention of two Mafia men?
The golden goddess smiles and then carefully drapes herself over Nico, gracefully perching herself on his lap like she’s been there a million times before. He grunts in surprise but doesn’t throw her off. My anxiety hits the roof. She takes a sip of her champagne and hands the other glass to Nico.
“It’s been too long, Nico.” She croons.
My hands clench into fists in my lap when she glances over at me dismissively.
“Antonia, what do you want?” Nico says, with a sigh. She’s still sitting on his lap and it’s making me crazy.
The weight in my stomach doubles in size.
I don’t know whether I am going to faint or cry. Or maybe lash out.
“Christina, Angel,” Nico turns to me and hands me the champagne flute. “This is Antonia.
Daughter of Lorenzo Cossi.”
His eyebrows raise and he nods his head towards her slightly. I think he’s trying to give me a signal, but I don’t understand.
Cossi. The name sounds vaguely familiar but I wrack my brain and can’t come up with why.
“Nice to meet you,” I manage to stutter out as Enzo’s hand tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear at the same moment Nico twists my fingers entwined with his.
Heat creeps across my cheeks as Antonia’s eyes narrow and her gaze flickers over the touches of both men.
Oh God. She knows.
I squirm in my seat but neither man allows me to escape.
