Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Because it’s not like she can’t feel. It’s just that she’s terrible at showing it.
I watch the unloading happen like a swarm of ants until my phone buzzes. I’m tempted to ignore it, but Brody’s name shows up on my screen. “I was wondering when you’d need to hear my voice again.” I wander away from Laura’s house and back to mine.
“I talked to Omar Ali yesterday. He invited me to dinner.”
I can’t help but smile. “I know, Layla told me. Do you have any idea how painful that conversation was for me?”
“Yes, I do, and I’m also aware that it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for you.” He pauses and I’m curious if he’s about to thank me. “But I told him something stupid.”
Yep, that makes more sense. “What did you do?”
“I told him you and I would be married by the time we all get together to have dinner.”
My heart flutters. I pause in the shade of a tree and look over my shoulder. Nobody’s paying attention to me, and even if they were, nobody could notice the way my body’s reacting to the idea of being his wife. I mean, I know it’s going to happen, it’s just that I didn’t want to rush into it. I figured a few months of getting to know him then a nice little church ceremony. But this is fast, much faster than I expected.
“Layla wants to get together on Saturday,” I say softly.
“Then we’d better find a priest.”
“Did you discuss this with my brother?”
A pause. I can taste adrenaline as my heart races. “No. I’m talking to you first.”
I can’t explain how good that feels. He could’ve skipped straight to Simon, but he chose me.
“I can pencil you in this week,” I say as I reach my porch. Some of the soldiers are shouting and the trucks fire up again. They must be finished already. “How’s Thursday morning sound?”
“That works.”
“Wear something nice. And make sure you get me a ring.”
“Leave the panties at home, wifey.” He hangs up.
I smile to myself and stare at my phone screen. Then I sink into a chair outside of my front door and pull my knees to my chest, because in a few days I’m getting married to a man I barely know, a grumpy stranger that acts like I’m barely more than a useful stapler, and I’m not sure if I’m terrified or a little bit excited.
Chapter 10
Elena
It feels good to see the oasis strung up with fairy lights instead of riddled with bullet holes.
The scars from the attack are still there, but Mom and I worked hard to get everything set up and covered over in time for the guests to arrive. Tables and chairs are set up all along the block and a live band is playing quiet acoustic covers of pop songs while waiters pass food and drinks to the milling guests. We basically whipped this together in a few days since Brody didn’t give me much time to prepare. Even though it’s not exactly perfect, I feel better than I have in a really long time.
Everyone’s here. Mom and Dad are both glad-handing the various lieutenants and Capos alongside Davide and Simon. Laura even forced herself to join the festivities, although she did corner me early in the night to tell me that she’d rather die than spend the whole evening socializing. I gave her a pass and told her that I love her. I got a very kind grunt in return.
Brody’s mingling somewhere. I haven’t seen much of him—he’s been busy shaking hands and accepting congratulations from the members of his organization he invited. I did get introduced to his extended family though. There was Seamus, the second oldest brother, followed by Molly and Declan, then Nolan and Caitlin, and finally their mother, Orla, who gave me a warm hug and a kiss and made me promise I’ll be kind to her son.
“I have to admit, the Bianco family knows how to throw down,” Stefania says and makes sure I have a fresh glass of prosecco in hand. It’s nice and cold and feels good going down on a warm summer evening. The sun’s beginning to set and the staff bring out more lights to keep everything going.
“Makes it easy when we have a perfect venue like this.” I gesture at the otherwise empty block. Lurking at the edges are armed men, twice as many as there used to be. “And everyone that got invited basically had to come whether they wanted to or not.”
“That’s fair. I mean, the Don did order it.” Stefania grins and waves to her brother Saul, who’s still in from Philly for another couple days. He’s been working with our soldiers and our Capos, training them in mafia fighting and how to win a war without getting everyone arrested.