Read Online Reckless & Ruined by Bethany-Kris - Free Book Online Page B

casket.”
    “Why wait so long for the funeral?”
    “It’s not that long, Eve,” Adriano said. “They were lucky to get the body released after just four days with all the crap from the FBI.”
    “Long enough, Adriano. They’re waiting another four days for the funeral.”
    “I imagine they’re just getting everything sorted. Plus, they’re probably waiting for the happy couple to be done with their honeymoon so they can be at the funeral, too. We weren’t invited.”
    “Heard that, too,” Evelina replied.
    “Dad is going,” Adriano said.
    Eve’s stance turned rigid. “Seriously?”
    “Yeah.”
    “He’s got some balls,” Evelina said, shaking her head.
    “Well, it’s either that, or he wants to really piss someone off.”
    “Considering how he kicked Terrance out at Mom’s funeral, does he really think the Trentini family is just going to welcome him in with open arms?” Evelina asked.
    Adriano stayed silent, not knowing how to answer that question.
    Evelina must have noticed his reluctance, because she turned to face him with a raised eyebrow. “Adriano?”
    “I don’t think his point is to try and make up with them, Eve,” Adriano said slowly, hoping his sister would get the point.
    “Oh?”
    “No.”
    Evelina chewed on her inner cheek before asking, “What, then?”
    “I think he’s looking to make a point without saying anything at all.”
    “Stop being a little shit and tell me whatever it is that you’re dancing around, Adriano.”
    “Dad wants to show how powerful he is without Terrance’s influence on the other families,” Adriano explained. “Like, he’s the one making the calls. He’s the one who can make the calls. The boss is dead, you know.”
    “And another one is ready to step up,” Evelina whispered.
    “Basically.”
    Eve frowned. “What about us? Are we going to have to go to the funeral, too?”
    “Yeah,” Adriano confirmed.
    “That seems really … asshole-ish.”
    “I get it, Eve.” Adriano noted his sister’s long sleeved shirt. For it nearing the last weeks of August, it was a little muggy outside for her to be wearing that. “Bruises still there?”
    Eve turned back to the sink quickly. “Don’t worry about it.”
    “You know I’m going to.”
    Especially now that Riley had ordered Evelina to live back at home. Adriano briefly considered moving back as well, just to keep an eye on his father and sister, but he had enough on his own plate and that would just mean extra travel. He didn’t think Riley would go after Evelina in a physical way again, not after Adriano stepped in the last time.
    “He’s not being a fucking jackass, right?” Adriano asked.
    “Dad isn’t talking to me at all,” Evelina replied.
    “That’s not what I asked, Evelina.”
    “I know.”
    “So tell me.”
    “He’s been okay, but sometimes he’s just off,” Evelina said. “Weird, you know.”
    “My place is open,” Adriano told her.
    Eve nodded, continuing her work at the sink. “I’ll keep that in mind if anything happens again.”
    “Do that.”
    “And what about you?” Evelina asked quietly.
    “What about me?”
    “You’ve been staring at your phone all afternoon, Adriano.”
    Adriano winced, shoving his phone under the table as his sister turned to face him again with curiosity coloring up her green gaze. “I have not.”
    “Liar. Thinking about calling someone?”
    “No,” Adriano said honestly.
    Eve pursed her lips. “No?”
    “Nope.”
    “Waiting for someone to call you?” she asked.
    Yes.
    Alessa hadn’t tried to contact Adriano since the night of the wedding. He’d sent her a couple of vague texts, just trying to get a response. But he got nothing back. He didn’t like that at all.
    Adriano sighed. “You’re goddamn nosy.”
    Eve shrugged. “Keeps me out of trouble.”
    “Actually, it gets you in trouble.”
    “Is it Alessa again?” his sister asked.
    “I never should have told you about us.”
    Eve grinned. “You didn’t.