Page 57 of Devious
“Mrs. Vitali?” Her eyes shine, and a smile spreads across her face. “It’s not dinner yet, but I can whip something up for you.”
“Please, call me Roselyn. I’m not old—I’m only nineteen,” I say, rubbing the hem of my shirt. This is the first time trying to interact with them. Normally, when Devious speaks to them, it’s in more of an authoritative way. I don’t want them to ever fear me or look up to me as the boss’s wife. I see the way Devious bosses his soldiers around.
“Right,” she answers.
“When will you start cooking dinner?”
“I’m doing it now.”
“What are you making? It smells delicious,” I tell her.
She smiles even wider. “Roast chicken and carrots.”
“Can I help?”
“No, ma’am. You’re Mr. Cayden’s wife, and I don’t want him to be angry at me for you acting like the help.”
“I know. But I’m bored out of my mind. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do around here,” I say. “I literally rearranged the library. That’s how bored I am.”
“How about this?” the girl who looks the same age as me says. “How about we chop onions together? I’m sure Mr. Cayden doesn’t mind her helping us.” She turns to look at Leanne with puppy dog eyes.
“No,” Leanne says, folding her arms across her chest.
I don’t want to pull the wife card, but I don’t have a choice. I don’t mind cooking. And I shouldn’t be treated like a queen despite who my husband is.
“Aren’t I second in charge when he’s not here?”
“Fine, but I will not take the blame if he decides to punish someone,” Leanne bites out.
“Of course,” I tell her. “Devious won’t punish you for something I want to do. I’ll even tell him I threatened you if it would make him get off your back.”
Leanne nods and turns toward the pot on the stove.
“Hi, my name is Katina.” The girl around my age grabs my hand, and I shake it.
“Hi, I’m Roselyn Vitali,” I say as if she doesn’t know who I am.
“That’s a nice ring on your finger,” she says. “This must have cost a fortune.”
“You’re not equals,” Leanne says. “Stop acting like it, Katina. She’s your superior.”
“It’s fine. We’re all the same people. It doesn’t matter who you are. I’ll hang with you.” I hold out my hand. “Now give me an onion to cut so we can have dinner ready for Devious.”
We work in the kitchen for a while, and I even bring a radio from the bedroom and blast Drake. Katina and I dance to the song, and Leanne rolls her eyes. Leanne follows the rules to a T but Katina informs me Leanne is her grandmother, and she’s been working with the Vitalifamigliaever since she was eighteen years old. The other lady doesn’t speak at all but acts like we’re not here.
The doorbell rings, and several moments later, Max tells me my papa is here. Which is strange because he never comes to visit me. He didn’t even check up on me when I got kidnapped. I’m sure he knows, but the thought of him not caring about me hurts. Parents are supposed to care for their children’s well-being. But I guess he doesn’t. I untie the apron from around my neck and waist, rolling it in a ball and setting it on the marble counter.
I don’t like taking the elevator—it makes this place feel less homey—so I head down the stairs. Papa stands with his hands behind his back, and he turns around when he hears me. He doesn’t smile, doesn’t give any emotions away. He eyes me up and down, searching my face for I don’t know what, and I head to the couch. He looks a little rough—he’s allowed his strawberry blond hair to touch his shoulders.
It’s awkward. He must want something because he didn’t show any interest in me before. He didn’t even call and check up on me when I told him what Devious did to me.
I smooth out my dress and place my knotted fingers onto my lap. “Father.”
“Roselyn. How have you been?”
“Good. Helping in the kitchen.”
Damien stands by the entrance of the living room.
