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Two in theand Car when his father appeared in the doorway to the kitchen Carmine hadn’t expected anyone to be up at this hour, aze followed Car to drink "Insohtain?"

"You could say that" Car that up, but he could see the genuine concern in his father’s expression He didn’t want to dwell, though, so he quickly changed the subject "So, why are you up?"

Vincent sighed "I’o this weekend"

"Neither did I until Sal called," he said "I wasn’t supposed to fly out again until next weekend, but the trouble with the Russians is escalating"

Carmine’s brow furrowed "You have a problem with Russians?"

"We’ve had one for a while They i we can’t tolerate"

Car him that much His father wasn’t one to offer extra inforuess"

"Thanks I’ll be back on Sunday nighthopefully" He hesitated like he had soood weekend, son"

Vincent left the kitchen Car at the spot where his father had been standing He chugged the last little bit of juice in his glass before heading upstairs, lying silently in bed and staring at the ceiling

When Haven woke up the next , bella ragazza How about we get dressed and do so today?"

She smiled sleepily "Like what?"

"Whatever you want," he said "We could go to the et some dinner"

He had no clue what people did The closest he had ever been to a date before was going through a fast-food drive-through on the way to drop soirl off after sex He wasn’t sure he could count even that, considering he usually made them buy their own food

An odd expression flickered across her face "In public?"

He laughed "Yes, in public With other people around, even"

"Uh, okay" She so of her and watched as she sca as trivial as a ht up so h his clothes, choosing a pair of faded jeans and a green long-sleeved button-up shirt, since green was her favorite color He rolled up the sleeves, feeling stifled, and pulled on a pair of Nikes before grabbing his things Heading out, he noticed Haven standing in the doorway of her roo "Do I look okay?"

"You lookhis hand out to her

Leading her downstairs, he helped Haven into the car and fiddled with his seat and led "Finicky"

He rolled his eyes and started the car, scanning through radio stations as Haven stared out the side , a s on her lips They held hands and chatted about nothing in particular during the drive She never ceased to as she had never experienced

He drove straight to his favorite Mexican restaurant and slowed to pull into the parking lot until his gaze fell on a white car He accelerated again to pass the place, knowing they couldn’t eat there if Lisa orking He pulled into a steakhouse about a block away and shut off the engine as Haven turned to hihed and ran his hand through his hair "Yeah I don’t want you to think it’s because I don’t wanna be seen with you, because I do It’s just, it’s Lisa, and she--"

Haven placed her pointer finger against his lips "I understand"

They were quickly seated in the restaurant, and Haven picked up the la as she sounded out the words When the waitress ca hiot the hint "I’ll have the stuffed chicken breast with a side salad, please"

Carmine smirked "A twelve-ounce New York strip steak for me"

"How do you want it?" the waitress asked

"Rare," he said "Barely cooked"

Haven gazed at him peculiarly when the waitress walked away "I didn’t know you like it that way I always cook your s in life I prefer bloody--my steak andto have enemies"

"I wish," he ives me more than I could ever earn"