I laugh. “It was wet and full-on. We were just kids.”
“Still, I wanted to marry you. You drove me wild.”
The waiter returns to take our order but before I can speak, Ric orders two steaks. I decide to let it go this time, but he’ll need to learn quickly that I like to order my own food and speak for myself.
By the time the steaks arrive, I’ve learnt that Ric’s dad left the family in a mess. It shows why he needs my family so bad. People don’t trust in his name anymore and a man with no trust in this world may as well give up the business. The families will trust him again if Vinn lets him marry into our family.
My phone flashes. “Sorry,” I apologise, flicking the message open.
Blu: Things okay?
I glance over to him and he’s staring right at me. I nod in response. I’m still pissed over his joke last night. I thought he was going to kiss me and I had no intention of shutting him down. I feel the disappointment again and tuck my phone away.
“Of course, if things progress between us, all other men need to step out of your life,” says Ric.
“Progress?” I repeat. I wasn’t listening because I was too busy letting Blu inside my head again.
“Between us, if we decide to make us official.”
“Wow, it’s our first date,” I say with a nervous laugh. “Let’s hold off on the wedding bells for now.”
“When you know, you know,” says Ric, smiling. Something about his smile makes me shiver with an uneasy feeling. I brush it aside because I need to give him a chance, and maybe he’s just nervous too.
After dinner, we decide to have a slow walk along the Thames. It’s a cold night, but I could use the air. We take the lead with our entourage of security following. We must look ridiculous to anyone passing.
Ric slows by a bench overlooking the river and we take a seat. The men linger nearby and I try to shut them out. “I want to make up for pinning you on the ground when you were eight years old,” says Ric. He gently cups my cheek, rubbing his thumb over my skin. “I’ve had a great night,” he adds and his lips cover mine. The kiss is . . . nice. Nothing like the wet, sloppy one he once gave me. No, Ricardo’s definitely matured into a good kisser. When he pulls away, he smiles. “Much better, right?”
I laugh, “Yes.”
His phone buzzes and he gives me an apologetic smile before answering. He moves a few steps away, muttering into his phone so that I can’t hear. When he’s done, he pulls me to stand and tucks my hair behind my ear. “I have to go. I’m so sorry, but something important came up. I have your number, so I’ll call you tomorrow. Perhaps we can do this again soon?” he asks with hope in his voice.
“Perhaps we can do this again soon,” mimics Blu. I lean over my balcony and stare down at the quiet street below. He’s pacing back and forth irritably.
“Oh, please, after your fake laughing with Raven yesterday,” I say with a smirk. “You can’t say anything.”
“You like that guy? Really?” he asks, pausing his pacing.
“He isn’t awful,” I say with a shrug. “I imagined Vinn setting me up with an ugly ass of a man, so I was pleasantly surprised.”
“You can do better,” says Blu. “Why do you want to marry into the mafia anyway,” he snaps, picking up the pacing again.
“Because that’s my life,” I say. “Just like the club is yours.”
“You prefer the club life,” he says. “And don’t deny it. You spend more time here than you do your home.”
“I’m escaping heartbreak,” I lie. “It’s my shelter.”
“Lies,” he says. “You like the club and being here makes you feel safe.”
I scowl. “Have you been listening to me talking with the girls?”
“You’re happier when you’re here.”
“I’m happy when I’m at home too,” I say. “You’ve never seen me at home, so you wouldn't know. Why do you care anyway?” I ask.
“Being in that life . . .” he stops and sighs, shaking his head. “Never mind.”
“You know nothing about that life,” I say with a sarcastic laugh. “Family is everything to me.”
“Fuck, now you just sound like one of them,” he hisses.
“I am one of them,” I snap, starting to feel offended by his obvious dislike of the mafia. “What’s your problem?”
He stares at me, his eyes narrowed like he’s warring with himself. “Nothing,” he eventually says. “Goodnight.” I watch confused as he stomps back to his room, slamming his door closed.
“What do we really know about Blu?” I ask Eva.
“You mean apart from he’s gorgeous, moody, hot, fuckable, and oh, did I mention he’s hot?”
“I’m talking about real information. Who his family is, does he have an ol’ lady, is he crazy?”
“Why do you want to know all of that?” asks Eva. “You really do have the hots for him, don’t you?” she asks, grinning.
I lean back in my chair and watch Blu pacing outside my office. Since our weird exchange last night, he’s hardly spoken two words to me. He’s talking into his phone like he’s mad about something. “I just wondered what his story was. I don’t like him like that. He’s rude and he hates me, or at least, he hates what I am.”
“And what’s that?” asks Eva.
“A mafia princess,” I mutter. He returns, scowling, and drops down into the chair opposite Eva’s desk.
“I’ll go and get us some lunch,” says Eva. “I have some errands to run.”
I’m busy typing out an invoice when I spot Blu’s fists clench, gripping the arms of the chair so tight that his fingers turn white. I watch him warily. His eyes are fixed on a spot across the room and his breathing is getting faster. “Blu,” I say. He doesn’t respond. This is the third episode I’ve
