Page 29 of Frayed Bonds

I’ve been attending these for a lot longer than any of my brothers, so I should be the one groaning. It’s one of the most dragged-out events the financial group holds. It’s called a dinner, but it’s a way for all of the different firms to secure new investors and poach employees from each other.

That’s excluding all the bells and whistles. It’s also a way for the rich to compete to see who is wealthier; who has the most valuable Rolex, whose date is the most stunning–spoiler. It isn’t the wannabe Playboy bunnies half these men in their late sixties bring to the dinner.

My brothers and I have always been the youngest in attendance until recently when Enzo and Mattia stepped up and started attending as well.

“Well as much as I would love to attend, it’s Milan Fashion Week then.” Augustus leans back in his chair, with his arms behind his head. His red plaid suit jacket and black leather pants are a stark contrast to the rest of us, dressed in classic Armani black pants and white shirts.

He is the top investor in many of the leading fashion houses around the world, and as much as I hate to admit it, he is responsible for a large portion of our annual revenue, so I can’t be mad at him.

“I didn't even say when it was,” I raise my brow.

He picks his phone up and slides it across the table ‘till it stops in front of me. “Alexa emailed everyone weeks ago with the date.”

Cazzo

“He was too busy with his dick in her mouth to hear anything she had to say,” Adriano comments, and I shrug.

“I don't check my emails, that's why I have an assistant…to remind me.”

“Count me out as well. I'm heading to New York to meet with the Corsos about closing the deal,” Antonio says.

“You better not be bailing on me too. I can’t be the only one there, it'll look suspicious,” I say, looking at Adriano.

His face screams boredom, and I know he would much rather be in Milan with Augustus, the two never go anywhere without the other.

“The only suspicious thing will be you showing up with another random girl on your arm as a date, but I’ll be there. I've got some things to take care of here for Trescatelli's,” Adriano shrugs.

“Do you have a date?” I ask Adriano, raising a brow.

“Yes, one of the models I met in Milan last year is in town for a bit, so I asked her.” He shrugs as if it's no big deal.

“That’s why you're staying in town!” Augustus practically yells. “Wait, which one is it? Mia or Giulia?”

The twins begin discussing which girl Adriano is referring to, and from what I gather, I don't think he knows either. I run my palm along the stubble forming on my cheek, and I’m thankful I put off shaving this morning.

“Wait, you have a date right?” Antonio asks loudly.

All of their eyes are on me and I shrug, trying to play it off. “Of course I do.”

I don't. I didn’t even think about this stupid dinner until the notification popped up on my phone this morning.

With everything that has been going on for the last few weeks, it's honestly been the last thing on my mind. I also took for granted that my father would be here to take most of the spotlight, but now since I’m the CEO, I realise it'll look ever more alarming if I show up without a date.

“He doesn't have one,” Adriano blurts out.

“Have you lost your mind? We’ll look incompetent if you can’t even do something as simple as get a date,” Augustus says, and I shoot him a warning glance.

“I’ll take care of it, I have time.” I try to reason when truth be told, I’m trying to convince myself, while also trying to figure out who I can ask. Aside from the night of my father’s funeral, I’ve been avoiding any traces of my past life like the plague since we heard he died.

A part of me worries that all my latest headlines might’ve been additions to his ever-growing stress.

“You don't have any options,” Adriano announces, and I stare at him flabbergasted.

“How do you know? I’ve got women lined up begging for a chance to be my date.”

“That’s not what you told Kaia last week,” he shrugs.

I know exactly which conversation he’s referring to. A few days before my father’s funeral, Kaia and I had a heart-to-heart about how I was trying to clean my act up now that I’m the CEO.

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