Page 84 of Tristano

“Are you okay with that? I’m sure if you tell her you’re not ready to go back, she would understand and come here,” Greer tells her.

Danica leans in close and whispers. “Rosa came from the Irish branch in Chicago. Cleo is her son’s half sister and Greer’s niece.”

A pained look crosses Rosa’s face for a moment. “I have to face my fears eventually, right?”

“Amen,” the women say in unison.

I raise my glass to take a sip when Natasha turns toward me with a devious smirk. “I love hearing about everyone’s spawn, but I really need Serena to answer a question for me.”

I lower my glass and hesitantly ask. “What?”

“How big is Tristano’s cock? Is he all talk, or can he actually give as good as he says he does?”

Everyone laughs as I shrink into my seat. I can feel my cheeks instantly heating up.

“Awe, she blushes,” Izzy teases.

“I’m not sure I’m really comfortable answering that,” I admit.

Natasha only laughs harder. “Oh goodness. Your face. Girl, you do not have to worry about me. Tristano has only ever been a friend. Trust me.”

I cough a bit then give her a small smile. “Thank you for that. You didn’t need to reassure me, but it’s appreciated.”

She gives me a knowing look as she nods. “Society tends to pit women against one another, but we don’t have to be that way. Is your man a looker? I don’t think anyone here would say no. With that being said, he is a very taken man, and I respect boundaries. You’re part of the family now, so he’s officially on the brother list. Not eligible for any hooking up.”

I laugh a little, then bite my lip. “Well then, your brother gets no complaints from me in that department.”

Everyone is silent a moment before the entire room bursts with laughter.

“That’s my boy!” Natasha whoops.

“What about you, Natasha? Anyone in your life we need to know about?” Mia smirks.

“Oh, honey, no man will ever tame all this.” Natasha tsks. “You know I’m all about hitting it and quitting it.”

The others continue to talk as Vanessa comes to sit next to me. I turn to her, smiling while trying to follow the conversation before me.

“It’s a bit much sometimes.” Her tone is softer than I expected.

“Why do you come then?” I ask.

She smiles as she looks at the girls in front of us. “They are family. They are crazy and should never be allowed to play with weapons, but at the same time, they are weirdly affectionate and wildly protective. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

I look over at them too as they laugh together, each having side conversations with one another.

“That sounds like a wonderful place to be. You’re lucky.” I turn back to Vanessa, only to find her already looking at me.

“You’re lucky too. This is your family now too. No need to feel the way you do. You’re not on the outside.”

A familiar sting hits my chest. One I hadn’t even realized was there until she pointed it out.

“How did you know?”

“I was homeless once. Matteo found me and thrust me into this life. It took a long time to really accept my place here and feel like I was a part of the group. It’s okay not to be there yet, but you’ll get there one day.”

“Damn. That’s one hell of a motivational speech.”

Her cheeks grow red. “Sorry. I do it a lot for work, so sometimes I forget to shut it off.”

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