Page 131 of Koroleva

"Adriano is not perfect either. He can't reproach you for not being a model woman. You have to find a common ground. Something that attracts him and makes him see you as a possible ally, not the enemy. Romeo knows everything he likes, so it won't be very difficult to find it. Maybe you share more hobbies than he lets on at the surface. You have to be patient, without letting him walk all over you, because he's a kid with character, but giving in a bit in situations that might distance you more than anything else. No one says it's going to be easy, but with a little love and persistence, it will go well. Use the morning to talk about my nephew and plan what you want to achieve with him. I'm leaving now, I have things to do."

I walked my sister to the door and thanked her for helping us, and also apologized for not telling her about Yuri.

"We all keep secrets, you also had the right to have your own." She raised her dark eyebrows and I immediately knew what she was talking about.

I immediately worried because having her source of problems close was not a pleasant situation.

"Are you okay? Has he approached you? Has he done something to you? I swear if he lays a finger on you..." I threatened, annoyed.

"I'm no longer a child, fratello[5]. I'm fine, although I'll be better when he leaves and takes the memories with him."

"If you need anything..." Julieta hugged me.

"I know. Take care of your wife and your son, they are the ones who need you, especially Nikita. Even though she acts tough, it's clear that Adri worries her in her own way."

"That's because she's discovered that he's a Korolev."

"For whatever reason. What's important is not the reason, but that Adri is going to have 'parents' who will raise him as best they can."

"That's for sure. By the way, I'm planning for Nikita and me to go away for a few days next week, we also need space to get to know each other, would you mind if Adriano..."

"You don't even have to ask, you know I'll be delighted with him, I also think it would be good for you to have your space as a couple. To be honest, I like her for you. I don't know, I see her as a woman who fights for what she wants, with character and, besides being beautiful, she's intelligent."

"Are you trying to sell me my wife?"

"No, just saying what I see. Irene fell short for you."

"Irene was never my partner, just a friend with benefits."

"And did she know that?"

"Of course, in fact, we talked about it yesterday. Both of us are very clear about what we were and what we are."

"Then, perfect, the only thing I want is for you to be happy, you deserve it."

"And so do you." She gave me a warm kiss on the cheek followed by a caring smile.

I closed the door watching her leave.

My sister was beautiful, with long, dark wavy hair, large chocolate-colored eyes, and full lips. She always had a sweet, cheerful, and dreamy character. She was outgoing and idealistic, the perfect target for a bastard like my cousin.

Every time I thought about what happened, my murderous instinct awakened.

I made a promise, Julieta would not shed another damn tear for Salvatore, because if she did, I would personally make sure to send him underground.

51

Kisses with a taste of summer

Julieta

Ever since my eyes met Salvatore's again, I've been more nervous and irritable than usual. It was as if the years hadn't passed and he had returned to my life with the same force as always.

Throughout all the summers of my childhood and adolescence, he was there. With his mischievous gaze and that constant vertigo that tightened my stomach until it completed a series of fifty somersaults.

Him and his jokes, him and his constant digs at R, him, him, him...

He always looked down on my brother. Salvatore was the eldest, the heir of Don Giuliano, and that gave him a status that fluttered above his head like a banner that dictated his demeanor—one that was expected of the eldest son of one of the most feared and influential men in Calabria.

---