Page 42 of His to Honor

“This is Massimo. He’ll take care of you tonight,” Damiano informs us.

Massimo practically clicks his heels together before popping the cork off the champagne bottle. He pours four glasses and hands one to each of us.

“To Rosalia.” Damiano raises his glass. “Buon compleanno.”

“Buon compleanno,” Carlotta and I echo.

Everyone takes a sip of champagne, and then an awkward silence descends.

“Why don’t you open your gift, Rosalia?”

As she perches awkwardly on the edge of the sofa and tears the paper from her gift, I gesture to Damiano to come with me as I move a few feet away. Rosalia gasps loudly as she opens a red velvet jewelry box with a recognizable luxury brand name emblazoned on it. She removes a gold chain with a diamond teardrop pendant that sparkles as she holds it up to the light.

“That was nice of you,” I say as Rosalia removes the silver necklace she was wearing to replace it with the new one.

“It’s nothing.” Damiano sips his champagne. “But I don’t think you took me aside to tell me I’mnice.”

Like his American cousins, he’s very perceptive. I guess it’s important to be able to read people when you’re a mob boss. I decide to be straight with him.

“No, I wanted to ask you to go away.”

Damiano throws back his head and laughs. “You’re banishing me from my own club?”

“No, I’m asking you to go and terrify some other young women.”

“Ah, my presence is making the girls uncomfortable.” He speaks as if he didn’t already know that when I suspect he’s well aware of how he makes people feel.

“They’re intimidated by you.”

Damiano nods. “I see why Matteo likes you so much.”

“Oh?” I’m fishing for a compliment, but I can’t help it. I want Matteo’s family to see me in a positive light.

“Yes, you care about others and you don’t let fear prevent you from speaking up.”

“Glad you approve.”

“I’ll approve even more if you can persuade him to go back to New York. Antonio is growing impatient.”

Before I can respond, to tell him I doubt I have the power to persuade Matteo to go home until he’s ready, Damiano walks back to our table.

“Ladies,” he addresses Rosalia and Carlotta who still look overawed by him. “Anything you want tonight is on me. Food, drink, whatever, just ask Massimo and he will arrange it for you.”

“Grazie, Don Volante,” they reply in unison.

“Enjoy your night.” Damiano smirks at me as he walks past. “Don’t do anything I’ll have to tell Matteo about.”

I guess that’s his way of telling me he’ll be watching what I get up to tonight. It doesn’t bother me. It’s not as if I was planning to go wild. I join Rosalia and Carlotta at the table and set down my glass of champagne.

“Did you see this?” Rosalia shows me her necklace.

“It’s beautiful.”

The younger woman chews anxiously on her bottom lip. “Should I have refused to accept it?”

“You’re worried about what your parents will think?” I know they’re not keen on Rosalia working for the Volantes.

Rosalia nods. “They won’t approve.”

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