"For fuck's sake, Gio," Vito mutters, but I don't miss the amusement in his voice. "Tell the girl it's okay and stop looking at her like that before she pisses herself."
The waitress' cheeks flush.
"The changes are fine," Giovanni finally says, waving his hand and the waitress practically runs away from the table.
"God, I don't know what it is about events like this, but they always put you in a mood," Vito says. He glances around me at Giovanni.
Giovanni shrugs his shoulders. "There's a power that I take from walking into a room of people who hate me yet know I'm better than them. I like it."
Egomaniac.
"You like it too much," Vito says, but his lips are tilted up slightly at the corner. "Enjoy your high now, it'll only be a moment before the drama kicks off." His eyes move around the room before he inhales a deep breath and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Perhaps I spoke too soon," he mutters.
I turn to see what has caught his attention but I hear the problem before I'm even fully turned.
"Oh, brother, you didn't think I was going to stay home, did you?" Maximo asks.
My gaze pauses on him, watching as he struts in the direction of our table. He's wearing a black suit, which is a contrast to the jeans I've grown used to him sporting. And begrudgingly, I have to admit that it looks good on him, hugging his tall and lean frame. His hair is pulled back, but the soft curls don't stick to his head like his brother's, the locks just brushing his shoulders. A wicked smile curves his lips, and there's a woman on his arm.
She's just as devastatingly beautiful, her black hair pulled back into a tight and elegant bun. Diamonds from a hair piece glitter under the fluorescent lights. Black lipstick lines her lips, complimenting her tan skin. She's wearing a long emerald gown with a split that cuts up so high, I catch a peek of something black at her hip when she moves. The straps of her gown pull up around her neck, leaving her arms on display and I can't help but to be mesmerized by the assortment of black ink that runs up her right arm. I can make out a skull and roses but the rest is hard to see as she turns slightly to look at Giovanni. Amusement lights her green eyes and her lips pull into a grin.
"Oh God," I hear Vito mutter.
"Cousin," the woman says, her voice raspy as she looks at Giovanni.
Cousin?
Her gaze shifts to Vito. "Bianchi." And finally, her attention stops on me. "And Winter, if my sources are correct," she says, holding out a hand to me.
I stare at the black nails that look like claws with the pointed ends, thinking she's going to scratch me, but she only continues to hold her hand out. Hesitantly, I take it, surprised by how strong her grip is. And now that she's close up, I don't miss the muscles that adorn her arms. She pulls back, her grin widening and her pearly whites on display for a moment before she moves around the table. She sits down on the free side of Giovanni. Maximo sits next to her.
"Maximo." Vito's voice is low, the tension in his body clear. Maximo doesn't look the least bit bothered, smiling as his eyes meet Vito's.
"Yes?"
"Why did you bring Lucia?"
"Because I'm his favorite cugina and I hear you may need back up tonight," the woman, Lucia, dips in. "I know my cousin is fond of that soldier boy you all hired, but who can protect family better than family?" she inquires as the waitress returns to the table with our drinks. She looks at Maximo and Lucia with wide eyes.
Lucia swipes one of the glasses off of the tray, downing it in one gulp, "You shouldn't have," she says to the waitress, returning the empty glass.
"Lucia," Giovanni finally says and my gaze moves to him. He doesn't look as tightly wound as Vito, but there's definitely more tension in his body than earlier. "If you plan on staying, behave yourself."
"But I'm always on my best behavior, Gio."
Vito scoffs, "We don't call you Lucifer because it's a cute nickname."
"Well you don't, but I do," Maximo says before looking at the waitress. He doesn’t look the least bit put off by his presence being unwanted. "Whatever you got on the tap, keep it coming."
"Yes, sir." She places our drinks on the table, minus Vito's scotch which Lucia downed.
Silence falls over our table until Enzo walks up. He pauses when his eyes deep over Maximo before stopping on Lucia. He doesn't say anything but his gaze tells it all. He isn't a part of the Lucia fan club either. No love seems to be lost on her end either as she offers him a glare.
"Sit," Giovanni instructs him, pointing to the seat between Vito and Maximo.
Enzo sits and silence returns.
The tension is thick, Lucia and Maximo seeming to be the only ones entertained by it. Giovanni has lost his brief high, his scowl back in place. Vito keeps narrowed eyes on the uninvited guests. Enzo looks like he's about to jump out of his seat.