Page 6 of The Prices We Pay
“Not true!” I answer, acting wholly offended, even though he’s probably right.
“It is true.”
“Last week, it was the new barista at the coffee shop down the block,” Luca adds.
I bite my lip at the memory. “Could you blame me? The way she looked in that apron was practically pornographic.”
“The week before that, you were convinced the security guard we worked with on that mission was, and I quote, ‘the man of your dreams.’” Dante laughs at Luca’s impersonation of me.
“Okay, one”—I point my finger at Luca—“did you not see his ass? I could have bent him over and taken a bite out of it like an apple. And two”—I turn to look at Dante—“I don’t know what you’re laughing at, D. Don’t act like you weren’t jealous that I was checking him out.”
Dante clenches his jaw. “Why would I be jealous?”
I shrug. “I know you have the hots for me, Big Daddy. It’s okay to admit it.”
“No, I don’t, and stop calling me that.”
“Leave him alone, Enz.” Despite his warning, Luca’s grin finally breaks through.
“Awe, come on. He loves it. Don’t you, Big Guy?” If a look could kill a person, Dante’s glare would have me keeling over in my chair.
“We’re getting off-topic. Who do you think you’re in love with this week?”
“I don’tthinkI am. IknowI am. And her name is—”Shit.
I don’t know her name. The woman of my dreams, and I didn’t wait to find out her fucking name.
You’re better than that, Enzo.
“I didn’t get a chance to find out her name because you kept fucking calling me. But I will. She works in the building. I’m bound to run into her again, one way or another. If I don’t, I’ll just camp out in the lobby until I find her.”
Luca rubs at his temples as if my trying to find the woman of my dreams is inconveniencing himin some way. “Enz, you’re the COO. You can’t be in a relationship with someone who works in the building.”
“Can too. As long as we address it to the entirety of the company and they don’t report directly to me. Considering I don’t know whosheis, she obviously doesn’t report directly to me. Remember, I helped you write those rules, Amico.”
Even if she did report to me, I would gladly rearrange the entire company structure so she didn’t.
“We don’t have time for this,” my best friend huffs. “We have to go over the mission for tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night? A little short notice, huh?”
“It’s an easy one. We should be in and out in five minutes.”
“What about Seb?” He’s always present for the mission briefings.
“He’s already emailed me all of the information. He needed some rest.”
My smile grows so wide it practically splits my face. “You two have a long night? I thought I heardsome noise coming from your side of the apartment.”
“Lorenzo…” he groans in exasperation.
“Gli lascerei anche il mio culo, fratello.”
“Lo farebbe se lo pregassi abbastanza forte.”If I knew Luca like I thought I did, I’d dare say that was a challenge, but it couldn’t be.
“Would the two of you speak in fucking English?” Dante snaps, interrupting my thoughts before they can spiral any further.
Luca blinks, and I watch as the heat in his eyes disappears. I have to force myself not to shift in my seat. He clears his throat and continuesin English,“Before we go over the plans, though… do you have time to meet with the new broker tomorrow?”
