Page 42 of Blood Money

As she put the boxes in the fridge, I headed to my room to get cleaned up. When I reached my door, she called out to me. “Kendall!”

“Yeah, Nonna?”

“I’ll be home around eleven. Do you have your key in case you get back before me?”

I shoved my hand in my pocket and pulled out the key attached to the sparkly pink cupcake keychain. When I wiggled it in the air, she shook her head.

“Smartass.”

I laughed and went into my room. For a moment, I fell back on the queen-sized bed. As I stared up at the ceiling, I thought about tonight. My heart was racing just imagining everything.

Unable to sit still, I got up and took a shower. Nonna wasn’t out in the main area of the large apartment when I got out, so I assumed she was in her room getting ready too. I’d had my clothes laid out since this morning, so I pulled on the white lacy balconette bra, then the pink lace-edged camisole, and turned side to side to study how I looked in the mirror. Satisfied, but wishing my boobs were a little bigger, I finished getting dressed, then went back to the bathroom.

While I was putting on a little makeup, Nonna poked her head in. “I’ll see you tonight. Make sure you kids stick together, especially if it’s after dark when you’re coming home. Text me to let me know you made it home safe, okay?”

“Will do, Nonna. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

She left, and I heard her footsteps across the hardwood floors. Then the door to the outside landing opened and shut. I picked up my phone, which Nonna hadn’t noticed was different, and texted Vittorio.

Me: I’m almost ready

The three little dots pulsed briefly.

Vittorio: I’ll be there soon

Me: Use the outside stairs

Vittorio: Well I can’t very well go through the bakery, now can I?

Me: Oh

Vittorio: LOL. I’m on my way

Vittorio: BTW, you looked cute earlier

My cheeks warmed, and I bit my lower lip at his message. Then my thumbs raced over the screen.

Me: You weren’t too shabby yourself *winky face*

I hurried to finish up and then shoved my phone in the back pocket of my favorite frayed denim shorts. In a flurry, I breezed out of the bathroom and waited nervously by the door. The knock I was expecting still made me jump. I took a deep breath and gradually let it out to slow my thundering heart. Then I clenched my hands a few times and shook them out to ease the trembling.

When I turned the knob, my breath hitched at Vittorio standing there with his head ducked. He looked up at me through his shaggy bangs, and his bright blue irises locked on me. My heart went wild again. He gave his head a little toss to flip the hair out of his eyes. I couldn’t help but admire the way his white T-shirt pulled taut across his shoulders and chest.

“Happy birthday,” he murmured with a crooked grin.

“Thank you!” I smiled as I stepped toward him and threw my arms around his neck. He instantly curled his hands around my sides and then squeezed slightly as he dropped his appreciative gaze to the swell of my breasts. As if he’d touched them, my chest flushed.

The way he looked at me was like I was the most beautiful girl in the world. He made me feel special.

“You ready?” he asked before he lifted one of his hands and brushed a wayward curl behind my ear. That light touch as his fingers brushed against me sent a thrill through to my toes.

I nodded, then looked around. “Where are your brothers?” I asked when they weren’t out front.

“Alessio, Frankie, and Leo are waiting at the theater,” he explained as he took my hand and we started down the sidewalk. We dodged people along the way, but once we were a block from the theater, he quickly darted off to the side so we were against the brick of a storefront. Then he spun us until my back pressed to the building, and he caged me in.

“What are you doing?” I whispered as he stared down at me.

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