Page 34 of Crazed

"Okay. Can you keep Papà calm? I'm going to be a few minutes late, and you know how he gets worked up," Tristano states.

I ask, "Where are you?"

"Nowhere interesting. Just keep Papà off my ass, okay?"

It's unlike my brother not to tell me where he is. My suspicion ignites. "What's going on?"

"Nothing is going on," he claims as a woman's blood-curling scream fills the line. Then, "Tristano! Eww! Get this off me! Oh God!"

The voice sounds familiar, but I can't pinpoint it. I question, "Who is that?"

"Shit! I gotta go!" He hangs up, and the line goes dead.

I call him back, but it rings until the voicemail picks up. I hang up and get a text message.

Tristano:Cover for me.

Me:What's going on?

Tristano:Nothing. All good. Later.

Me:Who was that? Her voice sounds familiar.

Tristano:No one you know. See you soon.

Bullshit.

Why's he lying?

I step on the accelerator and take the curve into the subdivision, speeding down the road until I get to our gate. The guard nods and opens it. I rev the engine past him and park in the garage.

One of our black SUVs enters, pulling up near the door. Dante gets out then reaches in to help Bridget.

I walk over to them. "What are you two doing out?"

"Dropped the kids off. They wanted to try the new breakfast place near their school," Bridget answers.

"Any good?"

Dante shrugs. "I didn't see the big deal. You'd have to eat four plates to equal one. Typical New York hipsters."

"It wasn't that bad," Bridget claims.

"Yeah, it was. I'm going to need to grab some more food to make it until lunch," Dante gripes.

Bridget rolls her eyes, but she's smiling. She kisses his cheek. "You were a good sport."

"That's me," he declares and guides Bridget toward the entrance.

I follow, interjecting, "I'll make a note to never go there. Do you know what Papà called a meeting for?"

Dante halts, kisses Bridget, and says, "Can you excuse us, dolcezza?"

Her eyes dart between us. She nods then smiles. "Sure." She leaves, and we watch her until she disappears.

Dante drills his cold orbs into mine. He crosses his arms over his chest. "Want to tell me what's going on?"

The hairs on my arms rise. My gut says it's about Katiya, and I'm on my last nerve, always having to defend her. Now that she agreed to move in with me, I have to change my family's opinion about her. It all makes me angry. The blood in my veins boils, and I seethe, "Meaning?"

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