He laughs. “You think I’m a spoiled brat? Really? Didn’t you get an entire ranch gifted to you for your tenth birthday?”
“Yeah, from your father. What did he gift you that year, Emilio?”
“That’s different. He’s my papa, not yours, and you still got a ranch.” Emilio shifts uncomfortably.
“Wait. Whatdidyou get for your tenth birthday?” I ask.
“The deed to an old castle in Italy. My family visited it that year, and I made a comment to my dad about how much I loved it,” he says.
“You got acastle? Like, you actually own a fucking castle, Emilio? Seriously?” I gasp.
“Mhmm. It’s not my fault my father likes property. If he can gift someone property, he will.” Emilio looks really uncomfortable, which makes me smile. This is a side of him I haven’t seen since we were in our early teens.
“Yeah, not a spoiled brat at all.” I shake my head and laugh.
Chapter Seven
When we step off the jet, there are ten heavily-armed SUVs waiting for us. I lead Frankie over to the center one.
“This is a lot,” she says, looking around at the cars and my father’s soldiers surrounding them.
“It’s to protect you,” I tell her.
“It’s to protectyou,” she says.
“Sure, let’s go with that.” I hold the door open. I don’t ever take this much security with me anywhere, but I wasn’t about to bring Frankie here without security. There are lot more assholes trying to one-up my family in this country than in the States. I don’t trust anyone, especially when it comes to her safety.
“Are you sure they’re going to be okay with me being here?” Frankie whispers when I get into the back of the car with her.
I give the driver a slight nod to indicate he can start driving. “Who?”
“Your parents.”
“They love you, Frankie, probably more than they love me. So I’m certain they’ll be fine,” I tell her.
“Your parents don’t love anyone more than their kids.” She laughs. “Well, maybe each other.”
“Maybe,” I agree. My father isn’t shy about showing his love/obsession for my mother. I always wanted to grow up and find someone I could love at that level. I found her long before I was grown. I just need her to get onboard with the idea.
“Okay, are you working the entire weekend? Or will we get to hang out?” Frankie’s question surprises me.
“You want to hang out with me?”
“You invited me to Mexico, Emilio. Did you not want to hang out with me?” she asks.
“I just figured you’d hide out with my mom or Eliana and avoid me at all costs.” I shrug. “We can…hang out.”
“What exactly do you thinkhanging outmeans, Emilio?” Frankie lifts a curious brow.
“You, me, naked in a bed,” I tell her.
“I was thinking more like sightseeing, eating delicious food. That kind ofhanging out,” she clarifies.
“We can do that too.” I smirk.
“Nottoo.We can just do that. I’m not getting in a bed naked with you.”
“It doesn’t have to be a bed.”