Page 7 of Bellini Born
Shaking his head, Gio looked skyward. “Cheer up, little brother. You’re about to experience what it’s like to sit on the throne.” He pointed a finger in my direction before he warned, “But don’t forget who it truly belongs to. I expect you to relinquish it once I’ve secured my heir.”
“Shit, you manage to pull this off with your balls still intact, I’ll get down on my knees and kiss your shoes for ever doubting you.”
A smirk touched his lips as he snapped. “I’m gonna hold you to that.”
And with that, he was gone, leaving a whole goddamn mafia in my fucking lap.
Chapter 2
Summer
“I’mdying,”Gabimoaned,her head buried in the toilet.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at my best friend and roommate. “You didn’t want to listen when I said you should have stopped at three tequila shots last night.”
“Fuck, don’t say tequila.” Those words were followed by the sound of violent retching.
To avoid tripping my own gag reflex, I backed out of the bathroom.
One of these days, that girl was gonna learn that partying too hard came with consequences. And watching her misery made me glad that I was too broke to get drunk enough to hail the porcelain god the following morning.
Of course, Gabi always offered to pay when we went out, but that didn’t sit right with me, especially since she was running up a tab on her daddy’s credit card. It was bad enough that we lived in a run-down apartment in one of the sketchiest neighborhoods in Chicago because I couldn’t afford half the rent on anythingnicer—repaying student loans on a waitress’s wages had me in a hole.
The toilet flushed, and the sound of running water from the sink reached my ears. I turned to find my best friend crawling out of our shared bathroom before she hoisted herself onto the couch and tossed an arm over her eyes.
“There’s no way I can lifeguard today. I’m more likely to end up drowning than saving someone.”
“You’ll be fine after some coffee.” Moving to the kitchenette, I poured her a cup and placed it on the coffee table. “Drink up.”
Her arm fell away from her face, and she shook her head. “I’m serious, Summer. I can’t go.”
“What do you want me to tell you? Call in sick if you’re too hungover.”
Gabi grimaced. “Yeah, that’s not exactly an option.”
My brows drew down. “Why not?”
She blew out a heavy breath. “Ugh. Because I’m supposed to be doing it as a favor for a family friend.”
“And afamily friendwon’t understand?” I challenged.
“Not this one,” she muttered. “And my father will kill me—like, literally dead and buried in the ground—if he finds out I incurred a debt.”
A debt? What the hell was she talking about?
When she suddenly lurched off the couch, I jumped back, fearful she was about to throw up again. But instead of spewing the contents of her stomach in my lap, Gabi latched onto my hands with a death grip.
“You have to go for me.”
“What? No!” I shook my head. “I have a shift later.”
My best friend scoffed. “Fuck your shift. What do you stand to make after eight hours serving slop to customers who are more interested in grabbing your ass than consuming the food youbring them? Fifty bucks plus tips before Uncle Sam takes his cut?”
Hearing her break down how pathetic my pay was made me wonder why I even bothered.
Sighing, I admitted, “Sounds about right.”
Gabi grabbed both my shoulders. “Summer, this gig pays a grand.” A smirk curved on her lips when she saw my eyes bulge before she added, “In cash.”
