Page 99 of Little Deer
“Pay up,” Sienna exclaims with a laugh.
“So, you and Zeno, huh?” I ask, ignoring the others.
Kida gives me a sheepish smile. “It just kinda…happened. I don’t know. One minute we were arguing, then he shoved me against the wall and kissed the shit out of me. I thought it was a fluke, but then last night, well, he told me in no uncertain terms that he’s realized that we fit and I just need to get on board.” She flushes and squirms slightly. “And he may or may not have said something about helping me out with my smart mouth and attitude.”
“These guys are so fucking bossy and kinky,” Amara laughs delightedly.
“And he’s what you want?” I ask her. Because as much as I’m starting to like being around all the men and women here, it’s still not at all what Kida or I ever planned. Hell, just a couple days ago we were planning on running the hell out of here at the first chance.
Kida shrugs. “I mean, I don’t know if it’s going to go anywhere, but right now, I’m good with it. And you’re good with Massimo, clearly.”
“Yes we’re good. Better than, actually.”
We grin at each other and then start laughing. “Bitch,” Kida chides without any heat, hugging me tight.
“You gave me shit about not falling for Massimo, I’m not about to let you get away with it that easy,” I tease, hugging her back. As much as the two of us like to joke and fight sometimes, I only want her happy. And if she wants to be with Zeno, then I’m not going to stand in her way.
But if he hurts her, I’ll make him wish I sent Massimo after him because I don’t play when it comes to her or anyone I care about.
“So, what, that just leaves Urso as the only one not paired up with someone, right?” Sienna muses. “Though if things track, he’ll end up with Amara’s sister when we find her eventually. And I can say that Rori and Alonzo are a thing since she’s not here. No matter how many times she fights and argues about it.”
“Where is she?” I ask curiously.
Sienna snickers. “Avoiding Alonzo. She said that she wanted to work on some training with Hades, and then she was going to get a few things done that she’s been neglecting. She kept shifting, like she was sure that Alonzo was going to walk into her room any minute and I finally left her be.”
“Why don’t they just admit that they want each other?” I ask curiously.
Sienna rolls her eyes. “Because they’re both too stubborn for their own good. Honestly, Rori was after him hot and heavy when they first met, and he was the one avoiding her, but somewhere along the way it switched.” She hesitates but finally admits, “I think they slept together and now she’s regretting it. And if that is what happened, I’m almost hoping that she walks out of here when this is all over and never gives him a second look,” Sienna mutters, scowling.
“It’d be his own fault if it happens,” Sofia shrugs. “Honestly, I’m surprised half of you are giving any of them the time of theday. Well, other than Massimo.” She winks at me. “He’s one of the few of them that doesn’t piss me off on a regular basis.”
“He is pretty great,” I say with a smile.
“Wasn’t it Massimo that you were promised to in the original marriage contract Pietro and Aurelio tried to cook up?” Sienna asks.
I freeze. Wait, what? Sofia and Massimo were engaged? Beside me, Kida stiffens.
Sofia glares at Sienna, who winces, realizing what she just blurted out. “Shit, sorry.”
“You and Alessio need to stop spending so much time together,” Sofia admonishes drily. Then she looks at me. “Don’t worry, it wasn’t anything and honestly I didn’t know anything about that until recently. Arranged marriages are a common thing in the mafia, as you’ve already figured out with how this whole thing started. When we were just children, my father and Pietro agreed to creating a marriage contract where I would marry either Alessio or Massimo to keep our families connected forever, but as we got older and everyone realized I only see the Carusos as brothers and not something romantic, they forgot all about and it never enforced it. So you have nothing to worry about. Massimo is like an older brother, nothing more.”
“So you never had a crush on him or any of the others growing up?” I ask, fighting the jealousy and also my own insecurities. I mean, look at her. She’s stunning, exotic, and I’m, well, me.
Sofia shakes her head. “Nah, they were always just brothers to me. We always looked at each other as friends.” She gives me a reassuring smile. “Whatever you’re thinking, get it out of your head. You’re stunning and Massimo is crazy about you.”
I just smile, but I still don’t know if I quite believe her. I glance at Kida and she looks thoughtful, but that’s about it. Maybe she’s wondering if Zeno had a crush on Sofia. Either way,I guess a part of me knows it doesn’t matter. She’s with Dante, and clearly enamored with him. Still, I have to wonder if that’s part of why Massimo is always upset when he sees Dante and Sofia together; some kind of front to hide the fact that he loves hers.
You’re being ridiculous.
I ignore the voice in my head and instead, try to focus on everyone else. Still, I don’t push away when Kida grips my hand and gives it a squeeze, clearly realizing I need the comfort.
“Speaking of family, I finished my mother’s journal last night,” Amara announces. We all look at her expectantly. She glances worriedly at Sienna, Gia, and I. “Are you sure you want to know the nitty gritty?”
“It’s fine,” Gia promises her. “I’ve just accepted that my mother was a piece of shit and she didn’t love us. But I do want to know what your mother did. She had to be the one to figure it all out, right? Set up the system?” Then she looks at Sofia. “Speaking of that. How is Ada? Is she with Dante?”
“She’s relaxing in Dante’s suite. He’s been keeping an eye on her, but she’s worried about Esposito getting upset with her, or hurting someone else in his home to try and figure out where she is.” Sofia sighs. “It’s going to be tough for her. I can already tell. Dante is feeling guilty as shit that he didn’t know any of this before. Or that he didn’t push her on figuring out why his father was blackmailing her.”
“It’s going to be such an adjustment for her,” Gia mutters. “But we’ll help her through it.” Sofia nods, giving her a grateful look. “Now, what did the journal say?” She looks at Amara expectantly.
