Page 46 of Breaking Rosalind
“What’s wrong with her?” Miranda asks, her gaze following Tania’s retreating figure.
“Bad day?” I reply with a shrug. “So, what kind of jewelry does your sister like?”
Her mouth forms a perfect O. “Are you going to buy her a ring?”
“Something like that.” I smirk, picturing Rosalind squirming on my dungeon floor, with nipple rings adorning those glorious tits. “What do you think of diamonds?”
Miranda launches into a monologue about her own likes and dislikes, without once mentioning her sister. Concealing a frown, I question if they’re as close as Leroi implied.
Tania returns with two vibrant mocktails and slams mine on the table with a vicious smirk. Liquid splashes across the surface, barely missing my pants leg. “I spat in that.”
Miranda recoils, her features contorting with disgust. Blood rushes through my ears, and my pulse pounds in sync with my mounting rage. Tania is no idiot. She’s acting up to provoke a violent reaction, hoping Miranda will see my darker side and run for her life.
“You’re fired,” I snarl, my hands balling into fists.
Tania’s jaw drops. “What?”
“Get out.”
“B-But Cesare?—”
“Now,” I say through clenched teeth.
Tania’s face pales, her chest rising and falling. She reaches for one of the Shirley Temple glasses, but I snatch her wrist and pull her down so she can hear my warning.
“Don’t even think about throwing a drink in my face,” I growl, making her whimper. “Now, apologize to my guest, pack your things, and leave.”
I glance at Miranda, who sits frozen, her eyes wide. Fuck knows what’s racing through the little girl’s mind, but if this run-in with Tania makes Miranda think less of me, the pink-haired bitch will have more things to worry about than being fired.
“Cesare, you can’t do this,” Tania cries.
Bruno lumbers over. “Problems, boss?”
“This bartender needs to be shown the door.” I release Tania’s wrist.
Bruno grabs her arm and drags her away, leaving Miranda gaping.
My heart sinks, and my chest tightens at the thought of her reaction. I was having so much fun with the girl, letting her think I was safe to be around. I turn to her, my brows pinching and stare at her shocked profile.
“Are you alright, love?” I ask.
She whirls on me, her eyes sparkling. “That was so cool. You were like...” Her features turn serious, and she lowers her voice. “You’re fired.”
A weight lifts off my chest, and the muscles squeezing my heart loosen so quickly that I chuckle. “Glad you approve.”
“She deserved it.” Miranda glances at her drink and grimaces.
“We can forget about those. Are you hungry?” I ask.
“Why?”
“Because my karaoke bar makes the best wagyu burgers.”
Miranda grins. “I’m starving. Let’s go!”
If Miranda wasn’t the spitting image of Rosalind, I would swear they weren’t related. The girl has told me all about her love of K-pop, J-pop, K-dramas, and anime, but she hasn’t once asked about her sister. It’s almost as though she’s trying to avoid the topic.
My manager, Allegra, takes us to a private room, and I let Miranda order anything from the menu. For every alcoholic drink she selects, I substitute it for something without the liquor. Miranda sings a few songs as we wait for our orders, and I can’t help but grin at the way she dances with her hands.