Mick followed me toward the bar. I slanted him a look.
“You didn’t touch her, right?” His voice held a strange note. I couldn’t tell if it was anxiety or curiosity.
“Why do you care?”
He gave a shrug.
I scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’ve got the hots for her?”
He flushed. “She’s the hottest girl in Vegas.”
That was true. “She’s off limits.”
“So, you’re not going to ask for her hand?”
I choked on my drink, chuckling. “Hell, no. I won’t marry anyone.”
“Dad, please,” I said when it was only him and I at the breakfast table. “I’ve been grounded for two weeks. I only wanted to help Toni.”
Of course, Dad had ground me indefinitely after Savio had dropped me off. Mom hadn’t cried, but her eyes had glistened and that was almost as bad. Nonna was still sending me disappointed looks whenever she thought I was being too perky.
Why had Savio shoved his nose into my business? I’d always dreamed about him showing interest for me, but not in this way. I didn’t need another crazy protector. Diego was bad enough.
I was angry, not just because of Savio ratting me out but also because of his words. He’d made it sound as if the thought of marrying me was too horrid to even consider.
Dad narrowed his eyes. “You worked in Roger’s Arena, Gemma. That’s not a small thing. We don’t need those kinds of rumors about you, especially because I’ve started looking for a husband for you.”
I almost choked on my tea. “You promised to wait until I found someone.”
Dad shook his head. “It’s been one year, angelo mio, and the only one you’re interested in is Savio.”
“He’s a good catch.”
Dad sighed. “He’s a Falcone. He doesn’t share our values. Other men have already inquired about you. He hasn’t.”
“Can’t you mention it to him? Casually, I mean. Maybe he doesn’t realize that he can ask for me.” That was stupid of course. Savio knew about the rules in our world, even if he preferred to ignore them.
“All right. I’ll mention it next time I see him, and I’ll tell Diego to do the same, but that’s all we can do. The man has to ask for your hand. You are too precious to throw yourself at someone.”
“I know, Dad.” Problem was the alternative was spending my life with a man I didn’t want, and that seemed an even less desirable option.
Diego walked in, shrugging his jacket over. “Hurry up, or you’ll be late.”
I gave Dad a kiss on the cheek then followed Diego out toward his Ford. He brought me to school and picked me up from there every single day. Since the Arena incident, he was even more vigilant than usual. I wasn’t even allowed to ride in Toni’s car anymore. Inmates had more freedom than I did.
“Dad won’t reduce your time.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not a prisoner.”
Diego shook his head. “If you don’t stop changing into other clothes in school, then we’ll have to start locking you in.”
I made an innocent face.
“Bag it. Sierra told me you’re wearing jeans in school.”
I couldn’t believe her! She was such a snitch. My cousin loved to shove her nose in my business. “It’s just jeans and a sweater. These clothes make me feel out of place.” I motioned at my dress. It wasn’t a bad dress, no frills, bows or strange colors, but most girls didn’t wear modest dresses in school. I wanted to wear jeans and shirts like everyone else did. Diego didn’t say anything. I’d have a serious talk to Sierra today. Checking out my reflection in the side window, I took out my hairband and fluffed up my hair, then applied a touch of lipgloss.
“Will you stop the shit? You’re so fucking blind and naïve, Gemma,” Diego growled.
“What’s gotten into you? I didn’t do anything.”
“Fluffing up your hair and applying lipstick isn’t nothing.”
Had he lost his mind now? My bewilderment must have shown because he shook his head. “You really don’t get it. I suppose I should be glad.”
“Can you just tell me what I did?”
“You’re driving guys crazy, Gemma. You don’t even realize how many threats I have to hand out every day to keep guys from undressing you with their eyes.”
I laughed, thinking he was pulling my leg but his face was dead serious. “Really?” I asked, thrilled and embarrassed at once. Savio had hit on me that day, but I’d thought it was a fluke. “Guys never hit on me.”
“Because they know what’ll happen if they do,” Diego said in a voice that sent a little shiver down my back.
“Was that why you were in that fight?” A couple of days ago, he’d come home with a split lip from a meeting with several other Camorrista in his age. He hadn’t been very forthcoming with information.
“Yeah, a few guys voted you hottest piece of ass and aspiring sex bomb.”
“Oh.”
“And no, Savio wasn’t one of them!” Diego hit the steering wheel.
“I didn’t ask if he was.”
Diego parked the car in the school parking lot. “You were about to.”
I didn’t deny it. I could see that Diego wanted to say more, but then he just shook his head. “You’ll be late.”
I got out. Toni was already waiting for me. I rushed toward her, eager to get away from Diego’s brand of crazy. We hugged, then she scanned my face. “What’s the matter?”
“My brother’s been intolerable all morning.”
“Isn’t he always?” She looked pointedly toward the Ford, which was still parked at the curb despite other cars honking behind it.
“We should go inside. He won’t leave until we do.”
Toni and I linked arms before we headed into the building.
“If you’re looking for the Amish commune, this is the wrong way,” Noemi said, her little posse of friends surrounding her. The idea that Diego was making out with her older sister made me want to gag.
I ignored her. If I didn’t, I’d punch
