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“You still haven’t told me where Nic is.” I stare at my stepmom and wait for a response.
“I’m sure he’ll be here. He’s been busy since your father died.” She smiles sadly.
“Ahhhh, there’s the birthday girl!” I spin on my heels when I hear the voice bellow out from behind me.
“Mr. DeMarco.” I smile a fake smile for my father-in-law as he strolls toward me.
“Please, you must call me Dad.” His words put a sour taste in my mouth, and I can see that Dario finds them in bad taste too as I allow the man to kiss me on each cheek.
“Thank you.” I manage to look grateful and when I feel Dario take my hand I’m surprised by the tension in it.
“I’m glad you could make it.” My husband doesn’t sound at all genuine.
“It’s my daughter-in-law’s first party. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I see you are well.” His eyes drop to my stomach and Dario’s hand protectively rests over it, the way his palm strokes and soothes some of the unease in my chest.
“She’s doing a great job,” he tells his father-in-law, and when Lorna looks at me I can tell she’s feeling the exact same vibe as I am.
This is awkward.
“All good practice for when you produce a son.” He turns his back to take a glass of champagne from one of the passing waiters and Dario’s fingers squeeze mine, I have to shake my head and remind him to keep his cool. His father may be out of order but I’m very aware of his reasons why. My family was never meant to manage the Queens district, it’s because of Dario’s demand that my brother is now in charge of it, and I can see the resentment Theode has for that.
“I’m sure your granddaughters will be very fond of you.” I put on an even brighter smile and play the old man at his own game. Then seeing that the first of our guests has arrived, I move past him so I can greet them.
“Howare you feeling?” Dario kneads his fingertips into my lower back a few hours later.
“Exhausted,” I admit, keeping the smile on my face as I look over the room that’s still full of people.
“You’ve been on your feet for far too long, especially wearing those heels,” he points out.
“I’m fine, you can draw me a nice warm bath once everyone has gone and make me feel better then.” His chin rests on my shoulders as his hands reach around my waist to smother me.
“Deal.” He kisses my cheek.
“I think my brother likes Lorna,” he whispers, diverting my attention to the other side of the room where they are talking. I can see she’s enjoying his company by the huge smile on her face, and she definitely finds him attractive because she keeps twisting her hair around her finger.
“Your father hasn’t spoken a word to him all night,” I point out, confused at the relationship between them all.
“He rarely does, especially in public.” One of the babies fidgets under Dario’s palm and he kisses my cheek and laughs when he feels it too.
“Why?” I ask, desperate to learn more about the family my babies are being born into.
“I guess when Mom was alive it was out of respect for her, and old habits are hard to shake off.”
“But everyone knows he’s his son, right?”
“It’s no secret. My father may not be proud of Cassio but he’s never been one to turn his back on his responsibilities. He ensured he was raised right, and has always taken care of him financially.”
“I know he’s not your favorite person, but he really was good to us that day,” I remind him. In fact, I don’t know what I’d have done if he wasn’t there. I was such a mess.
“Why do you think he’s here?” Dario whispers.
I rest my head back against him and close my eyes, imagining how good it’s going to feel to get out of this dress and into the bath when everyone’s gone. I don’t get to relax for too long, because Dario’s body quickly tenses. I open my eyes and see my brother stumbling toward us and I make a long, heavy sigh.
“Hey, sis, happy birthday.” His pupils are blown, clearly he’s high and Dario quickly repositions himself so he’s standing in front of me.
“Nicolas, you shouldn’t be here like this.” He lowers his voice to avoid causing a scene.
“But it’s my little sister's birthday,” he tells him, before looking at me. “I’m sorry, no gift. It’s hard to know what to get you, now.” He scowls at me over Dario’s shoulder. “It’s okay, DeMarco, you can stand down. Unlike the fucker that put her in hospital, who’s still out there by the way, I won’t hurt her.” Dario surprises me when he actually steps aside, though he does wrap his arm around my back and tugs me tight into him.
