Page 9 of Aaron

Wait, if they’re tracking Jaclyn, they already know where she is. This isn’t good at all. Oh. My. God. They probably know about my books, too. Cavolo! But why haven’t they said anything? I’m so confused and flustered. Not a good place for me to be. Why couldn’t they have let me alone so I could have been having fun with Gabi and Seth? Growling at my phone, the man next to me raises an eyebrow. Oops.

Cherise: You’re wrong, so there. Jac is getting married today. In fact, she’s probably already married.

I shouldn’t have said that last part, even if it’s true. She said they were getting married at two, so it’s probably already done unless she changed her mind. Too late to take it back now. I don’t think I could have screwed this up more if I tried. This is why they think I can’t take care of myself. I’ve done fine for the last seven years since I left for college. Unless you count lying about working at JNG, writing books with a pen name, and going to clubs with Jac. Merda. I’m in too deep now.

Enzo: If she’s already married, why are you going, Little one? C’mon, Rece, you can tell us. We won’t flip out, we promise.

He’s lying. They’re already flipping out. These messages prove it. They always do. Jerk-burgers. Except for Matty, he’s the only one who takes my side. Maybe because we’re closest in age. Cris acts like an old man, and he’s only thirty-three.

Sliding my hand into the backpack again, I rub Maxy. I wish I could jump in there with him and hide. What if they’re already in Asheville or waiting on the mountain? Porca miseria! Dammit. I’m so screwed right now. There’s nothing I can say to make this better. My vision gets cloudy as I blink back tears. I refuse to cry in public. Nope. Not happening. One slips out, but I quickly wipe it away and take a deep breath.

Cherise: She’s my best friend. I don’t need an excuse to visit her. I’ll be fine. The Gallant brothers are good people.

Dante: Good thing you didn’t say they’re your employers because then you’d be lying. Little girls shouldn’t tell fibs.

Well, there goes the hope that they don’t know about the books. They probably know my pen name, too. I wonder if they read them? My cheeks heat at the thought. Is that why they act like Daddies? And why am I just realizing they’ve been treating me like a little girl my whole life? Are they Daddies? Not that I’d ask them. I’m sure that conversation would go well. I snort at the thought and slam my hand over my mouth. Talk about embarrassing; my seatmate must think I’m crazy.

Cherise: You know about the books?

Cris: Yes. Did you think you could keep that hidden from us?

Merda! Cazzo! Cavolo! I’m scorched toast for sure. At least they didn’t tell Dad, or he’d have already dragged me back to New York and made me marry Arturo, the douche canoe. I know he’s only been humoring me because the Russo family hasn’t forced the wedding date yet. But it’s only a matter of time. This is the twenty-first century. I don’t want an arranged marriage. I want to be swept off my feet and have a happily-ever-after like I write about. Is it too much to ask for? Maybe, but a girl can dream.

Cherise: Did you tell Dad?

Matty: No, we didn’t. But you can’t hide it forever. You know that, right?

Cherise: I know.

Matty: I’m proud of you, Rece, even if the rest of these motherfuckers won’t say so. We all are. It takes courage to put yourself out there.

My chest swells from the unexpected praise. I think it’s the first time any of them have ever said they’re proud of me. Even when I graduated with my degree, no one said it to me. The first woman in the Santini family to get a college degree should have been a big deal, right?

Cherise: Thank you.

Dante: Rece, you know you’re not supposed to travel without a bodyguard or one of us. Is it that hard to follow the rules?

Yes. Yes, it is. But I can’t say that. It wouldn’t help my case.

Cherise: There wasn’t time to arrange anything. I want to see Jac today before she leaves for her honeymoon.

That might be a little fib because I don’t know whether she’s going on one, but I need to see her, make sure she’s okay after everything. I can’t tell them that, or they’ll for sure show up to drag me home.

Cris: You’re a terrible liar, Rece. One of these days we’re going to show you what happens to Little girls who don’t do as they’re told.

Cherise: You’re my brothers. You can’t do anything to me.

My bravado is totally false, and if they could see my flushed cheeks, they’d know it. What am I saying? They probably already know it. Jerk-burgers.

Cris: Wanna bet? I’d have no problem putting you over my knee and turning your butt red. Trust me, you wouldn’t sit comfortably for a couple of days.

Cherise: You wouldn’t! That’s sister abuse.

Dante: Nice try, Rece. But do you really think anyone would try to stop us?

Cherise: Rude.

Matty: You’re funny.