Lissy Romano

104| Stand a chance.

Lissy Romano

"You should ask one of your brothers about that, okay?" Paolo said, giving me a look of pity.

"Maybe he was your boyfriend?" Frank teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Maybe you can shut your mouth?" Marco shot back, his tone sharp.

The guys seemed to enjoy the idea of teaching me how to play cards, though I wasn't fully present. My mind was elsewhere, focused on the man from my memories. Why had he been so angry?

"I'll be back in a moment," I said, standing up.

"Where are you going?" Marco asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

"I'm going to check on Jax in my room," I smiled, trying to ease the tension.

"I can go with you," Derrick offered, standing up beside me.

I nodded, walking toward the door, and as we passed Paolo, he stood up and grabbed Derrick's arm. He whispered something in Derrick's ear, and I could see Derrick's expression shift. He nodded, making eye contact with Paolo.

"Understood?" Paolo asked, his voice suddenly harsh.

"Yes," Derrick replied, his tone more serious now.

We walked out of the room and down the hallway. Derrick was silent, so I decided to break the quiet.

"So... you are?" I began, looking at him.

"Derrick," he replied, his look making it clear I was being a little dense.

"I know your name, dummy. I meant your relationship with my brothers," I said, chuckling.

"I work with them. For them, really," Derrick explained, and I nodded.

"I see... so everyone here works for them, but I still don't really get what they do for a living," I said, biting my lip.

Derrick opened the door to my room, and I saw Jax still asleep in my bed. I walked over to him, pressing a kiss to his head.

"They haven't told you?" Derrick asked from the doorway.

"Nope," I replied, picking up the sleepy puppy.

"That's better. It's for the best, you know?" he said, and I shook my head.

"Not really, no," I muttered, embarrassed.

"Okay, let's head back, then?" Derrick suggested, and I nodded, ready to leave the room.

But just as we were about to leave, I flinched when I noticed Dante standing behind Derrick, his face dark and unreadable.

"You okay?" Derrick asked, noticing my reaction. Only then did he turn around to see Dante standing there.

"Dante," I said softly, trying to smile.

"What's going on here?" Dante asked, his voice cold as he looked at Derrick.

"I was just..." Derrick started, but Dante cut him off, his tone cutting.

"What are you doing in my little sister's room?" Dante demanded, anger simmering in his voice.