I peek up at Wicked from behind hooded eyes, finding his already on me. I would give almost anything to see him smile, just to see what it looks like.

“Betty is coming over soon,” I say up to my father. “We’re going out tonight—”

“Take Oscar.” Papa releases me from beneath his arm, tucking his hands into his suit pockets.

“Well, I was hoping that since I’m seventeen now that I don’t need to take anyone…”

“Ruby, you are the daughter of the Cosa Nostra and the blood daughter of the Capo Dei Capi. There will never be a day that you do not have someone with you.” He takes out his cigar tube and removes the fat trunk of his favorite. “You should know that by now.”

“I do,” I whine, making my way near the stairs. The hairs on my arms prickle when I brush past Wicked. He’s wearing suit pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up—a completely different look to what he was wearing last night—and it looks… well, I’m not going to touch that right now.

When my eyes connect with his, I swear the corner of his mouth curves in a half-smirk. What the hell could he be so happy about?

“I mean it, Ruby. Don’t you go trying to run them off either. Oscar will be on your ass faster than any of those kids at that school drop to their knees in your presence.” I roll my eyes as I make my way down the hallway. Should I have asked Wicked if I could take Poppy out tonight, or would it be cool to just ask her directly?

I guess I’ll find out.

Bringing my knuckles to the wooden door to their room, I knock on the wood three times before it opens onto Poppy. She’s wearing some of the clothes I left outside their room last night, and by the looks of her damp hair, she’s had a shower, but her blue eyes are rimmed red and her cheeks are swollen.

“Hi.” I smile at her, not knowing which way this could go. “I’m Ruby.”

“I know.” She gestures into the room, widening the door farther so I can step inside. She closes it behind me. “Lenny told me.”

“Lenny?” I make my way to her bed. “I thought his name was Wicked.”

“Oh, it is.” She moves through the room, slowly lowering herself down onto her bed. “But I’ve always called him Lenny because I didn’t think anyone should have a name like Wicked.” Weird. Why would your sister not call you by your real name? “This must be really weird for you, having strangers living in your home.”