Page 6 of Weaponized

“Only a few more months,” he says calmly and when I open my mouth, he cuts me off. “For now, keep Da pacified so he stays calm, okay? I don’t need him going off the rails quite yet. Date Liam. Get to know Matteo. Be seen out and about. You know Da has eyes here. That’s all it’ll take for him to think you’re obeying his command.”

I have no idea if my brother can actually pull this off—whatever “this” is. But I have no doubt I can do my part. Keep Da pacified? Go on a few harmless dates? I can do that. I’m good at pretending. I’m so good at pretending that my brother sits across from me, oblivious to the fact that I won’t stop there. I’ll find a way into his plans. I won’t let him do this alone.

Gráinne

As I stride toward Spanish II, I feel a lightness I haven’t felt in years. I walk the cobblestone path, looking at the Gothic architecture of the buildings. For once, I don’t think they look creepy. The expansive masonry walls look majestic, climbing toward heaven, with bright sunlight filling their cavernous spaces. The sun is shining, my brother has a plan, I have a purpose, and all is right with the world.

While I took some time with my appearance today, I didn’t overdo it. Short pleated skirt, fitted polo shirt that shows just a hint of skin at the waistline, Golden Goose sneakers. My hair falls in loose waves and my makeup is minimal. A little bronzer, mascara, and lip gloss. I’m going for sweet and understated to see how this plays for me. If I don’t get the right level of appreciative looks, I can change it up tomorrow. My face is my weapon and I’m sighting in my scope.

I stop short when I see the Larozzi brothers standing just outside my classroom, huddled together, speaking in low voices. They really look alike, yet different. What better time to make myself seen?

“Matteo. Luca.” I smile broadly as I approach. Their whispering stops immediately, and they both straighten.Luca is back to glaring, and Matteo has a curious expression on his face.

“Good morning, Gráinne,” he drawls. “Finding your way around our grand campus?”

I laugh given that it’s a relatively small university. For some reason, my laugh makes Luca tense more, so I direct my smile at his brother. “Yes, it’s been difficult with all seven buildings, but I’ve managed thus far, thank you.”

He gives me one of his fake smiles. One that doesn’t reach his eyes but that pops his dimples. It’s a practiced move I’m sure. “I’m glad. If you need help finding anything, Luca or I would be happy to help.”

I glance at his brother. Something tells me that Luca would most definitelynotbe willing to help. I smile back anyway, which only causes Luca to glower in return. “I appreciate that. For now, I think I’ll head into Spanish. Don’t want to be late to my first class. Adios!” I give a little wave and begin to saunter away.

“You’re in Spanish?” Matteo calls after me. When I turn back, he continues. “How fortunate. It seems we’ll have at least one class together, senorita.”

No kidding.I grin. “Muy bien.”

“Dovresti studiare l’italiano. Una bella lingua per una bella donna,” Matteo says, studying me closely.

I feign confusion at his words. “Oooookay then.” I shrug. “If that’s Spanish, I’m going to need to study a lot this semester.” Luca is practically fuming at this conversation between his brother and me. I’ve had enough. I spin on my heel and head into the classroom.

My butt has barely hit the seat when the cute brunette I spied talking to my brother at Matteo’s party approaches me. “Um, hi.” She’s nervous. “I, um, heard that you’re,well, you’re Rowan’s sister. People have said you were transferring here.”

God save me from this small school. “What people exactly?” I ask her, cocking my head at the mystery.

She instantly turns red. “Well, I mean, I don’t know exactly. A few different people, I guess?” Her voice goes up an octave.

Is she asking me? Rather than be a bitch, which I admit is where my mind goes, I smile at her. “Well, the rumors are true. I’m Gráinne. Little sister to the infamous Rowan.”

For some reason, this makes her blush harder. “Oh, okay. Great. I’m Elizabeth. I just thought, uh, you know,” she stammers. And, uh, I don’t know, which apparently shows on my face. “Well, I mean, I didn’t know if you had already made friends here or well, yeah, I mean, you probably have. I just thought if you needed to meet more people, or whatever, we could have lunch.” I’m about to respond when she continues. “But, I mean, you, uh, probably have plans. With all your friends, or with Rowan, or whoever.”

I can’t help but smile. This cute little thing went from wondering if I had friends to determining I must already have plans withallof them in a span of ten seconds. “I’d love to have lunch with you.” I can tell I’ve shocked her, so I continue. “I haven’t met many people yet, and honestly, Rowan is a little overprotective. It’d be great to hang out and get to know you.” I don’t really have time for friends, but she was at Matteo’s party. She may know more about him.

“Oh, um, hang out. Right. Yeah, hang out.” She is smiling. A lot. “I mean, yes. Yes. I’d like that.” She’s a little less red now as she goes on to explain that there is a dining hall,but also food carts in the quad every day at lunch. I’m trying to pay attention when I feel Matteo’s presence as he drops down in the seat behind me. This causes Elizabeth to promptly stop talking midsentence. Awkward.

“So, how about the dining hall today and maybe the food trucks tomorrow?” I ask her.

She positively beams at this. “Yes. Yeah. Great! I mean, they aren’t full trucks.”

I swear I hear Matteo snicker behind me, but then the professor greets us with a loud, “Hola!” and the class is underway.

Elizabeth is cute. She’s petite and curvy, and obviously a little socially awkward. She is definitely not a member of an organized crime family. It’s obvious by the naivety and vulnerability that she wears like a cloak. It makes me wonder who she knows to have been enrolled here. I’ll definitely dig into that later.

I’m amazed she approached me, but I’m aware she somehow knows my brother, so maybe she wants to get closer to him. Although, as I study her profile more, I think it may be because she really is just that nice. She heard about a newcomer and wanted to simply be kind. Assuming kindness in others is a luxury I’ve never been afforded. What must that be like? No hidden agenda. No wondering if you’ll be stabbed in the back. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to live in her world.

“Senorita O’Toole?” the professor repeats, so obviously I missed something. I glance at him under my lashes and watch him nearly trip as he draws closer. He repeats the question in Spanish, and I respond slowly in kind, not wanting to sound overly confident in my answer. I didn’t consider when I scheduled this course that I may actually have to pay attention to avoid this very scenario.

Time seems to drag as I fight to listen to the lecture and mouth pronunciations while my mind wanders.I have no idea why Luca dislikes me so much. It’s not typical for me to get such a reaction from a guy. The glares I get are usually reserved for men’s wives and girlfriends. This may be the first time I’ve ever had a guy despise me at first sight. I can see why my brother labeled him a psychopath. There is something off about him.

It makes me wonder, though, if I trigger something in him. Something ugly. Maybe I look like an ex-girlfriend? Or, maybe he is aware of my father’s intentions for his family. He didn’t give Rowan the same level of acrimony, so I’m guessing that’s not the case. I was polite, friendly even. I just don’t get it, and that’s an issue, because I don’t need him in my way.

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