Page 53 of Prideful Union
“Who’s good in bed,” I clarify.
“Yes. My Alessandro is the best. But you never told us about Santino. What is he like?”
“I don’t kiss and tell, Alexandria. That might be something you want to learn for yourself.”
Her eye twitches. I’m pissing her off. Good.
“Just tell me what Santino is like in bed,” she says through gritted teeth.
I look at all four women. They look too eager, like they’re expecting me to mess up.
Then it dawns on me.
That’s exactly it. They want me to mess up. They want me to say something they can use against me. I just know it.
“You know what,” I say, standing up. “You want me to talk about Santino and use it against me or him. something vulgar to make fun of me. Well, I’ll say this. Santino and I have a great sex life. Now, you got what you wanted. So, leave.”
They share a look, knowing I busted them.
Alexandria huffs, getting up. “We didn’t want to make fun of you, Lucia. We wanted to become friends. You’re the one with the attitude.”
“I’m the one with the attitude? I welcomed you into my home, but you insisted on slut-shaming my mom for no reason. Then you kept on trying to hurt me. You’re the one with the attitude, Alexandria.”
“Santino’s home.”
“What?”
She sniffs, turning her nose up at me. “This is Santino’s home. Not yours. This was supposed to be my home.” She looks surprised she just said that.
“And there it is,” I say, feeling super smug. “You’re trying to make me look bad. Well, I’m not going to let you use Santino’s and my relationship for that. But if you want me to be bad, then here you go.” I throw the red wine from my glass directly onto her face, her nice white outfit, and her perfect hair.
Everyone goes silent.
Then: “You bitch!” Alexandria screams, running at me. I throw the wine glass at her, and it smacks her in the nose. She crumples over, clutching at her face. The other women surround her, comforting her.
“Get the fuck out ofmyhouse,” I say. “Or I’m going to go grab that knife from the kitchen and do some serious damage.”
Alexandria whimpers as she scuttles out of the house with the other women hot on her heels. I shut the door behind them, feeling proud of myself.
Sure, I probably shouldn’t have doused Alexandria in red wine, but it’s her fault for being terrible. Maybe this will teach her a lesson. I doubt it. But it sure felt good.
I laugh.
When Santino returns home,I tell him everything. No use in being dishonest.
“You poured wine on her?” he asks in disbelief.
“At least I didn’t use a knife.”
He thinks for a minute before shaking his head. “True. But, Lucia, I told you to be on your best behavior.”
“They were trying to get to me to talk about you. I’m not sure for what. To make you look bad possibly. But I caught on and called them out, and they didn’t like it. So, punish me for it, Santino. But I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
“Did anything wrong? Lucia, you threw red wine all over her! She’s going to tell her husband, and I’m never going to hear the end of it.”
I shrug. “Then so be it. Not my problem.”
“Well, it’s my problem,” he growls. “You made it so.” He grabs my face. “You drive me crazy, Lucia. Why can’t you just play nice for five minutes?”
