One of the bartenders waves me over - I know from memory that he's the one in charge of the bar - and he nods towards Wini: "Go get her," he orders me. I nod quickly and feel a warmth gradually building in my chest. Wow. This is the first time I've felt "safe" as a woman among ordinary citizens. Wini was right when she said the employees here were one big family. I quickly put down my tray and move through the crowd to put a hand on Wini's shoulder: "Hey. We need reinforcements. Big order on the way, and I need arms." I don't glance at Wini, but I observe the stronzo standing before her. He's ogling me from head to toe. Moron thinks he's at the top of the food chain in his little striped shirt and gold chains. I just want to jam my pen into his jugular when I see him licking his lips. Wini is completely tense, but she pulls me toward the bar. However, I don't know why, but my eyes land behind the stronzo. And now I'm terrified too. Vincenzo is there. Behind him are my

"How much do I take?" I repeat. Santo suddenly pulls me into a hug, and I'm wondering whether I'm dreaming or not. I realize I'm sitting right on his... the Madonna! He looks thrilled to see me there! If I'm dreaming... really, it would be great if I could avoid waking up too quickly. I try to sit up, leaning on his shoulders, but he holds me firmly and starts laughing. Oh, dear. The things his laughter does to my body. "Kiss me, Didi," he commands, sliding his hands just under my chest. "Wh...what?" I reply, pulling my head back. Damn, this dream sounds too real to be true. I know. What I'm saying doesn't make sense, but wow. Santo grabs my jaw with one hand, his eyes are locked on my mouth, and he's looking at me like I'm a white chocolate pana cotta with raspberry coulis. "I want you to kiss me, Didi," he says seriously. Santo straightens up to kiss me. Hey. SANTO GETS UP TO KISS ME!? I'm frozen in place. What should I do? A) let him do it. B

I look at him and start yawning without even putting my hand in front of my mouth. I start laughing the moment he grabs a handful of my hair. I take advantage of this and immediately pull his ponytail in the opposite direction. We look perfectly stupid with our heads tilted to one side, challenging each other with our eyes. "Let go," Salvatore articulates slowly. "Only if you let go first, Sali," I reply, also gritting my teeth. "Stop being childish," Vincenzo orders with a sigh. Salvatore and I let go at the same time, raising our hands. Then he finally comes out, shaking my hair to annoy me. "I want cannoli for breakfast tomorrow," Salvatore declares. "You can stick them wherever I think," I reply, giving him a masterful middle finger under the disapproving gaze of my eldest brother. I hear Salvatore laugh and can't help smiling back. Of course, I'll give him all the cannoli in the universe. Cazzo. He's a bastard, but I love him. Ha! I'll put thos

Cazzo. Of course, Elio knows! But who told him? Which of our men hastened to tell him... and if. What if Elio goes after Didi? What if Elio drags her down here and forces her to be with me? I'm such an idiot. Elio would never do that. My brother's far too cautious. It's not like him to act this way. The proof is that he still hasn't gone looking for Lucia. "There is no girl. Everything you've been told is bullshit," I reply at last. Elio wobbles, and I can see that he's struggling to stay on his feet before me. The dampness of the air over the last few days must be reawakening the pain in his leg. However, he's still coming closer to me, and I can smell the rancid odor of alcohol on his breath. I nervously start banging my knees. "The famous prostitute everyone's talking about?" asks Elio. His expression is icy. There's been no humanity left in my older brother for almost three years now. Elio loses his balance, and I rush forward to pick him up. He reeks of alcohol and tob