Page 6 of The Don

“I gave him a command to let him know he’s off duty, which to him means he’s free to relax.”

“Does he know a lot of commands?” I expect Storm would be trained to protect Ruben, but in this moment, he’s simply being a dog, nothing more.

“Yes, he does,” Dante replies curtly.

“I’m sorry.” I push up off the ground and take a step back. “I’m sorry,” I repeat as I flick my gaze to Rose.

“Don’t be sorry for liking Storm, Amorina,” Ruben says.

“I should wash my hands.” I refuse to meet anyone’s eyes except for Rose’s.

“I’ll show you where the bathroom is,” Rose says as she stands. Both Ruben and Dominic stand when Rose gets to her feet. “Come on.” Rose heads around the table and links our hands together. “Seriously, you had to find the mangy dog?”

“That dog is not mangy,” I argue. “Did you not see how beautiful and well-trained he is?”

“It could probably tear your face off and eat it.”

I give her a quick glance as she leads me to the bathroom. “I’m sure Storm is trained to do just that. But couldn’t you see how calm he is too?”

“Tsk.” Rose rolls her eyes.

“You never did love animals.”

“Unlike you.” She bumps her shoulder into me. “Here.” She opens a door to a full, opulent bathroom.

“Wow,” I say as I walk in. “No wonder Adrian never allowed me to come to Ruben’s.”

“Why?”

“Whenever there was a meeting here, he’d demand that I stay home, then he’d return in the foulest of moods. He was so jealous of what Ruben has that he’d always yell and scream at me for no reason.” I look at myself in the mirror as I turn the faucet and wash my hands. “I guess it was no different than any of the other times. The only difference was he’d say how his uncle didn’t deserve any of this.”

“Adrian’s a pig and an asshole.”

I meet Rose’s eyes in the mirror and nod. “I’m sorry,” I say.

“You need to stop apologizing, Eliza. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“It’s hard not to apologize for my breathing.” I finish washing my hands and look for a towel to dry them. Rose’s forehead crinkles as she tilts her head to the side. She’s feeling sorry for me. “Please don’t do that.”

“I’m trying not to, but it’s difficult when you won’t even tell me why you married the jerk to start with.”

I hate how she won’t let this go. I pull my shoulders back and smooth my hands down my dress. “I think we should return.”

I reach for the door handle, but Rose lays her hand over mine. “Eliza, you have to tell me.”

One day, maybe. But for now I don’t want to taint the memories she has. “Do you think Maria has made tiramisu?”

“You’re avoiding my question.”

“Actively.” I open the door before she can trap me in here with her and demand to know the reason.

“Ugh. Fine, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know anyway.”

Yes, she does.

When we return to the patio, I notice Storm has left. I look around in case he’s close by, but he’s gone. My shoulders slump as I sit and hang my head. “Amorina, lunch has been served,” Ruben says.

“Thank you,” I say, trying to avoid eye contact and conversation with everyone. I glance at Ruben’s and Dominic’s plates and see they’re empty. The spread of different foods look appealing, but I also know my place and that is to wait until the men have served themselves before I do.

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