Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“I’d help him,” Dario volunteered.
Emmanuelle wadded up Val’s linen napkin and flung it at him. “You will not. You’re part of the family whether you like it or not, you cretin. That means Geno shoots you, too.”
“Francesca wouldn’t like it if Geno shot me, Amara.” Stefano sounded complacent, as if the mere mention of Francesca’s name solved the issue.
“Well, Francesca isn’t the one being railroaded into a wedding.” Amaranthe sat up straight, narrowing her eyes at Stefano. “We were eloping for a reason. A big wedding freaks me out.” She looked away from him. “It’s not like I have any family on my side.”
Geno’s temper rose when he felt the sudden surge of sadness in her. Before he could say anything, Dario stood up and walked around the table to stand in front of Amaranthe.
“I know Stefano is the head of the Ferraro family, and he’s going to tell you he’ll walk you down the aisle, but I’d consider it an honor if you’d allow me to do it. I’ll hand you off to Geno safe and sound. Just so you know, I clean up in a tux. And I know what it’s like not to have family. Until these dumb fucks took me in, I had the dubious honor of calling Val my only family.”
Geno was shocked. Looking at his cousins, he could see they were as well. There was absolute silence in the room.
Amaranthe stroked her fingers along her throat. “Thank you for such a beautiful and kind offer, Dario. I hope you mean it, because if they’re really going to railroad us, I’ll accept.”
Dario grinned at her, nodded abruptly and walked back to his chair.
“You bastard,” Stefano sniped. “You knew I was going to walk her down the aisle.”
“You’re getting slow,” Dario said. “Old age, Stefano.”
Geno knew Stefano had taken the spotlight from Amaranthe, but it was more important to him to figure out why Dario had volunteered to walk Amaranthe down the aisle. Geno could hear truth, and Dario meant what he said about knowing what it was like having no family. At the same time, it was more than that.
Dario was a master manipulator. He was charming when he wanted to be. He was also ruthless and deadly. Clearly, his offer to escort Amaranthe down the aisle cemented Dario’s position in the Ferraro family more than ever. Geno glanced at Stefano. They had discussed more than once what a shame it would be if they had to kill the man. They wanted to believe everything he said and did was genuine, but they were responsible for their family members, and Dario was just too dangerous to take every action at face value.
His offer was sincere, Stefano said.
Geno nodded, indicating he was aware it had been. At the same time, Dario knew Amaranthe was an elite rider, and she questioned why the Ferraro family kept him so close to their inner circle. By declaring he was aware of how isolated she felt, by showing her that vulnerability, he had aligned himself with her. She couldn’t help but identify with him. It was a strategic move on his part. A brilliant one. Perhaps Dario had been one hundred percent genuine, but then again, because he was a brilliant strategist, and he took advantage of an opportunity when it presented itself, Dario more than likely had multiple reasons for his offer.
We can’t fault him when we think just like him, Stefano pointed out.
Once again, Geno inclined his head. He did think that way. He had to.
“The family is here,” Stefano announced. “Coming up now. All of them.”
Geno’s phone went off continuously. “Andrea is here with a trunkful of clothes. Penelope says the restaurant is being transformed.” He brushed another kiss on top of Amaranthe’s head. “Welcome to the Ferraro family, Danzatrice Ombra. It’s a damn good thing you love me. Anytime the family is together, chaos ensues.”
“I do love you,” Amaranthe assured. “Although your family is crazy.”
He couldn’t help smirking. “You’re about to become part of the crazy.”