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“Give me a minute to check.”
I start for the back storeroom. Normally I would have stopped over yesterday to get everything in order and to figure out what would need to come over from our place in New York. However, I stayed by Car’s side the entire night.
We never did get to address her concerns in the car. I made her soup and ran her a bath to relax. I thought it best to show her we belong together. A coward move, I know, but I don’t have the words to explain what’s going on in my life and how I need to keep her far from it all.
“Hey Dario, this is a great spread this year.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s always good to see you guys work so hard for the community.”
I grunt and pick up my pace. I hear the request coming before it leaves his lips. We do the charities we want to do. Not the showboating these motherfuckers are always trying to rope us into because they don’t want to cough up cash to run the bogus events they throw.
I duck into the supply room and sigh in frustration. This day has been total shit. Carleen has been more distant, but I haven’t had the time to press her to see what’s going on.
We decided not to go public with our relationship in front of my brothers today, but I’m regretting that decision with every second. It’s one thing not to show public displays of affection but our friendship is missing as well. It’s the main reason I’ve been trying to corner her to talk. I may not want Gio learning about us to start his prying, but I need Carleen near enough to keep a lid on my shit.
Silvio’s son got whacked. It wasn’t one of my guys, but it sure looks as if it could have been. We’ve been up his ass for the last few weeks. No telling how that’s going to blow back on me. It was messy.
Talon is only willing to talk to me and I have no clue what about. He’s supposed to show up here tonight. I just don’t know when.
It’s all bubbling up and I wish I could bury my head in Carleen’s neck to inhale her for a moment to clear my head. I haven’t been able to steal a single second all day. First, I had to leave out to get breakfast started for the drive and finish the side dishes for the evening. Then as a Di Lorenzo, I needed to mingle and host along with my brothers.
We have such a great turnout this year. Which would be awesome if not for the gap I feel building between me and Carleen. I grumble to myself as I look around for the trays.
I find them and grab two boxes. At least Dante was on top of placing these orders. This restaurant doesn’t have much need for them. I have them in stock at my place because we cater more events like this at Anima Mias. If he had dropped the ball we’d be screwed. I know my ass wasn’t driving to New York and back.
“I need to get my shit together,” I mutter as I head back out of the storeroom.
I step out and lift my head to see Dante walking away from the door of the office across from me. This is one of our bigger restaurants. The place has way more offices and storerooms. My curiosity is piqued as I see Gio in a heated discussion with Lizzy’s sister, Nyla.
As usual, I should mind my damn business and head up front with these trays. However, I don’t. I turn and find Anthony in the hall and wave him over to take the boxes from me. Once he’s out of sight, I move closer to the office Gio and Nyla are standing in.
I take in everything about them. The look on Gio’s face, how close he is to her. I’ve never seen him like this with anyone.
Nyla looks up at him with moist eyes and what looks a lot like longing in them as he hovers over her. Gio cups her face and runs his finger across her lips. His posture is possessive and protective, raising my curiosity even more.
She shakes her head at whatever he says to her and Gio moves closer to crowd her space. I can’t help myself. I creep a little closer to hear them.
“You come first. You always come first,” Gio rumbles.
“That’s a lie, Gio, and you know it’s a lie.”
“No, it’s not. That’s what you don’t seem to understand. It’s all for you.”
He leans in to whisper something in her ear that I can’t overhear. When he pulls away tears slip down her cheeks and my brother shocks the hell out of me as he leans in and captures her lips.
