Page 38 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

Her soft lips met my cheek. “Thank you.”

“I’m going to the bathroom, then I’ll meet you in your bedroom.”

“Leave the plate. I’ll clean up.”

I nodded, then darted out of the kitchen. Melanie stared at the TV from her curled-up spot on the sofa.

“Ms. Soloman.” I stepped closer.

“What’s up, Rocco?”

“I’ll text Luciano and ask him to check in with you. Sometimes when we’re out there in the thick of things, we don’t think about calling our loved ones because we are too busy protecting our territories. It’s not that he isn’t thinking about you. My mom is worried, too.”

Her smile rose and fell. “Thanks. I know you’re right. I just want to know he’s safe. After this is over, I’d like to have lunch with Jackie.”

“Mom told me you two were tight.”

She smiled. “We were. Unfortunately, we had to distance ourselves from each other...”

“Because of Rosetta. I finished for her.

“Yeah.” She shook her head.

“She shared a story with me recently about you two. I can tell she misses your friendship. Maybe you two can hang out sometimes in a city nearby.”

“That’s a great idea.”

I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and sent a text to Luciano.

“Text sent. You should hear from him soon.”

“Thank you.”

I nodded before stepping out the front door. I had a brief talk with the guards before heading to the bathroom.

The sadness that took Melanie’s features when I mentioned mom hurt my heart. It was clear they both missed their friendship. I hated Rosetta. I’d do anything I could to shit all over her parade. Mom and Melanie hanging out behind her back would be good. They deserved to have fun.

Rosetta wasn’t God. She couldn’t control who was friends with who. She wanted mom to be her friend. I knew my mother. She’d rather be bed ridden with the flu than fake being Rosetta’s friend again.

“Did you decide on a movie?” I stalked toward Ryah’s full-sized bed.

“Yup.” She rubbed her hands together like she was starting a campfire. “The Avengers.”

“You have great taste in movies, Princess.” I pulled her into my arms, taking the remote from her hand.

“How have you been sleeping?”

She shrugged. “Ok, I guess.”

“I want details.”

“Fine. I barely sleep through the night. I wake up from nightmares at least two times a night. You probably sleep like a baby.”

My heart banged in my chest.

“I have nightmares, too.”

She sat up, meeting my gaze. “Don’t lie to me, Rocco.”

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