Page 31 of Vow of Sin
Nico’s brows draw together, watching me, except I’m glaring at Sofia, a satisfied smirk lifting the corners of her lips. Her and I will be having a chat later.
I take a seat at the table we’ve been shown to and Nico does the same. The entire room is full of delicious smells and the food on the other table makes my stomach grumble. I realize I haven’t eaten since breakfast. It’s been weeks since I’ve eaten a full three meals a day.
I run my finger along the top of the menu and watch as Nico reluctantly picks up his.
“Can I get you a drink?” A young voice asks next to me.
I look over and freeze.
“Fuck,” Nico says quietly.
Standing next to me is none other than Frankie. I can see the vein pulsing in the side of Nico’s face. If anything I need to keep him calm. My eyes dart around the room. Lorenzo DeLuca is nowhere to be seen. This poor boy isn’t going to do anything to us. I remember the fear I saw in his eyes with his grandfather’s threats At Luis’ celebration of life.
“Hi, Frankie,” I say, remembering that is what DeLuca called him. “Do you remember me?”
He nods. “I saw you with my Grandpa.”
“You did. What are you doing here tonight?”
Nico opens his mouth so I kick him under the table. He needs to let me handle this. Nico was just as scary as his grandfather to this boy.
“My communion class is volunteering tonight. We’re supposed to bring water to the tables.”
“You’re doing a great job,” I say calmly. “We’d love two waters, please.”
He nods and walks off to get the glasses.
Nico leans toward me. “Have you lost your goddamn mind? Why would you bring us here when you knew he’d be here.”
“I didn’t have a fucking clue he was going to be here. I’m just as surprised as you are.”
He watches me for a minute. “Fine. Then let’s go.”
“No. Look at him.” Frankie is standing on the side of the room, talking to an older couple. The man laughs at something he says. Frankie practically skips his way over to the water station. He brings our water back.
“Enjoy your dinner.”
When he leaves again, I face Nico. “Watch him. He’s a good kid. Helping others, making them laugh.”
It’s silent for a few moments as I watch Frankie make his way to another table that has just sat down.
“Antonio’s right. You are good at reading people.”
“What? You finally trust me?” Nico doesn’t answer, so I continue. “Either way, I’ve been that boy. I know what it’s like to lose both parents and everyone who wants to ‘watch over’ you is only doing it for themselves. I want to protect him from that.”
I can’t believe the words that are coming out of my mouth. This boy is the product of Luis’ affair with Elena, yet I can’t stop myself from wanting to save him from the same fate as me. Giving your love to people who only want to use you.
“You’ve lost your mind. That’s a fucking bad idea. The last thing we need to do is draw more attention from the DeLuca family.”
I couldn’t help but shrug and open my menu.
ChapterSixteen
Scarlett
Nico didn’t say much through the rest of dinner. I didn’t let it bother me since I kept my eyes on Frankie. Watching him interact with others in the club.
Laying in bed later that night, I can’t help but think about Frankie. How the sweet boy will be forced to turn into a hard, cruel man considering the man that is raising him.