Daniel and Gio continue to chatter as we make our way up to the third floor, but Daniel turns to me as our pace slows and we approach a set of brown arched doors. Gio likewise grows quiet, his whole demeanor changing in an instant from an eager young man greeting a favorite cousin to the eldest son of a mafia family.
Gio looks us over as Daniel takes my hand, though I note that his focus is almost entirely on Daniel now, as if Daniel is in charge and I’m just tagging along as a formality. I smirk a little, but I don’t do anything to change this perception. At least, not for now.
“Are you ready?” Gio asks, switching to English.
And Daniel and I nod as one, turning towards the doors as Gio swings them open.
I do my best not to gaze around the beautiful lounge before us like a simpleton,
