Aria: Devil's Spawn Book 2

26. Our Flow

"All three of you," I grumble, jabbing my finger in each of their stupid faces, "shut up, shut up, and shut up. I know the combo sounds gross, but don't knock the mayo until you've tried it, okay?"

"Ew."

"No."

"Hard pass."

***

Once they grew bored of mayo and fries, Miller and Collins started digging into my love of lists and spreadsheets. Only Leo defended me because he loves making them even more.

***

"There she goes again."

"Does she ever stop?"

"It's getting out of hand. Lists are for groceries. Spreadsheets are for accountants. But she uses them for everything. We need to stage an intervention."

"But then she might murder us if we take away her Excel."

"Do you think she would plot our deaths through a list or a spreadsheet?"

"Probably both."

"Guys, I can fucking hear you."

"Leave Senarath alone. You probably couldn't make a pivot table if your lives depended on it."

"Shut up, Leo. No one likes an ass kisser."

***

As we continue to wait for Nicco on the curb, Miller clears his throat. "Hey, Senarath."

"What, now?"

He shoots Leo and Collins a conspiratorial look. "Did you know?"

I give him a wary glance. "Hmm?"

"I've worked with the Vitales for three years."

Frowning slightly, I mutter, "Congrats. Want a pat on the back or something?"

"Collins has stuck around for five, and Leo has been their loyal dog for nearly ten."

My eyebrow arches. "You're telling me this because..."

Leo informs me in matter-of-fact tones, "Ten years is a long fucking time."

I side-eye him. "You don't say."

"For ten long years, the boss has been an unapologetically selfish, spoiled little shit," Leo dishes with savage relish. "But, then, he met you."

I wince once I realize where this conversation is headed. Nicco and I have yet to put any labels on our rekindled relationship. If you can even call it a relationship. We talk every day, but Nicco and I barely see each other since he's in London and I'm in New York. What we're doing is nothing serious, but it's impossible to hide our hook-ups from Collins, Miller, and Leo since they're always in the trenches with me.

Miller tags on, "I've never seen Nicco let any woman get under his skin the way you do."

I cast him a pointed look. "And how, pray tell, have I gotten under his skin?"
"He treats you like the be-all and end-all of his existence," answers Leo.

Collins chimes in, "You changed him, Senarath."

"Seriously!" Miller pipes up again, "His work ethic is insane nowadays. It's like he's desperate to prove something. To make something of himself outside of his Vitale name. Yet, despite this newfound dedication to his job, he willingly fucks up his schedule to reroute his flights and add a layover in JFK. I'm telling you. The man's crazy. He'll sit on a jet for an extra ten hours just to spend an extra hour with you."