Page 19 of Kings & Corruption

I spit out the toothpaste and smiled as I replied.I vote cute.

You would.

Going down to find coffee and breakfast. Talk soon?

She gave the text a thumbs-up.

I started for the door, my mind already on coffee, then remembered I was still in panties and the tiny pinkCiao, Baby!T-shirt that rode above my belly button when I moved.

Whoops.

I debated putting on sweats, then pulled on a fresh pair of shorts instead. I hardly ever wore sweats, and it was still hot out, which was why I’d worn shorts to move in. I hadn’t asked to live in the Kings’ house, and I wasn’t going to spend the next eight months tiptoeing around them and covering up my body so they didn’t have to act like grown-ups capable of controlling themselves.

I pulled my long hair into a high ponytail and started for the door, then backtracked for the Aventine welcome packet Roberto had handed me before he and my mom left.

I’d had zero time and even less of an inclination to dig into the Welcome Week festivities. It was all going to suck, and I was only here for Emma. I’d do what I had to do to give myself cover, but I really couldn’t care less about a bunch of forced social “opportunities.”

Folder tucked under my arm, I cracked open my door and found the hall empty, the house as quiet as a tomb. I had no idea if everyone had left or if the house was just so well insulated I couldn’t hear anything beyond the isolated third floor.

Time to find out.

I chose the back staircase, hoping the guys were busy in the living room or not home at all. Maybe I’d get lucky and be able to have breakfast alone with the stupid orientation packet.

I was halfway down the stairs when I realized I’d been too optimistic. Deep murmuring voices traveled up the staircase, followed by a louder exclamation I couldn’t make out and the crash of something hitting the floor.

“Asshole!”

I stepped into the kitchen just as Matt bent to retrieve his phone from the floor. Enzo, the guy who’d stared me down the day before, stood over him. They both wore basketball shorts and no shirt, and as much as I hated to admit it, Enzo was built.

There were plenty of downsides to living with a bunch of big headed bros, but this was an upside I hadn’t expected, even if it was just off-limits eye candy.

“Morning,” I said, setting the welcome packet on the island next to two boxes of gourmet donuts.

Matt startled at the sound of my voice and hit his head on the underside of the island's marble counter. “Ow! Fuck!”

I winced. “Sorry.” He straightened, rubbing his head, then smiled when he saw me. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” He scowled at Enzo, who was glaring at me like I’d just taken his favorite rack at the gym.

“I think I owe you two buckets of popcorn and a trip to the emergency room,” I said, heading for the coffee pot calling my name from the counter.

“Nah, it’s fine,” he said.

I opened a couple cupboards looking for the mugs, pulled one down when I found them, and inhaled the heavenly scent of semi-fresh brewed coffee while it brewed.

“You owe us all a lot more than that,” Enzo muttered.

I spun to face him. “Try that again. To my face.”

Surprise flickered over his features before he drew himself up a little taller. “I said you owe us all a lot more than that. Because of your dad, some of our parents will probably go to jail.”

It took a long time for the other shoe to drop in RICO cases. My dad had been gone for three years, but the family was still holding their breath, waiting for the repercussions of his betrayal.

“I’m not my dad,” I said, picking up my coffee.

“You might as well be,” Enzo said.

I studied him over the rim of my mug. “Your last name is Capaldi right? Enzo Capaldi?”

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