Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
When we pass through the gate and head down the long driveway toward the house, I shift closer to him. “I wish you had warned me.”
“Would that have been easier? I wanted you to at least enjoy dinner.”
“Still. I wanted to know. I’m not ready.”
“You look incredible.”
“Why take me out at all? I could’ve used this time to get ready.”
“There were some things to prepare and I thought you could use one more relaxing meal before you got hitched.” His lips curl down. “I wanted to make this easier on you.”
I sigh, leaning my head back. I have a thousand thoughts running through my mind. What if I’m making a huge mistake? Who is going to get hurt when this all goes wrong? Can I really be this man’s wife? Can I really give birth to a baby and give them up? I don’t know the answer to any of these questions and each one is killing me.
There are cars parked out front. More than usual. We’re dropped off at the front door and Renzo leads me inside. The foyer’s quiet, but a girl appears on the steps, coming down at a rapid pace.
She’s got dark curly hair, olive skin, thin and pretty, with big brown eyes. It’s got to be Stefania, his little sister—they have the exact same nose.
“There you are,” she says, grinning her face off. “Carlo bet me you weren’t going to show up. He owes me fifty bucks.”
“You’re taking bets on my marriage?” He seems more amused than annoyed. “I want a cut.”
“Hell, no.” She stops at the bottom of the steps and looks at me. “This is her?”
“Stefania, meet Maddie.”
“Hello,” I say, stepping forward and offering my hand. “He told me all about you.” Which isn’t true, but I can’t think of what else to say.
Stefania’s smile is sincere as she shakes my hand then gives me a hug. “It’s great to finally meet you. Dante said you were pretty but I wasn’t sure I believed him.”
“Stef.”
“What? You have terrible taste in women.” She grimaces and adds quickly, “Usually, anyway, but you seem nice.”
“Thank you.”
“Relax,” Renzo says softly, tugging me against him. I like the way he casually puts an arm over my shoulders like he’s trying to comfort me. “Everyone here knows the situation. You don’t have to pretend.”
I let out a relieved sigh. “That’s good, right?”
“I don’t know if good is the word I’d use,” Stefania says, laughing. “A fake marriage thing with a baby thrown in the mix? It’s pretty weird, but then again, most of what we do is bizarre by normal standards.”
“Come on,” Renzo says, steering me deeper into the house. “Stef, is everyone ready?”
“Yep, they’re out back and just waiting on you two.” She falls into step with us. “So, Maddie, did you always dream of getting married to a stranger in some random back yard?”
I flinch and shake my head. “Well, uh, no, not exactly—”
“Stef,” Renzo says, tone exasperated.
“What? She knows what she’s getting into. Just trying to lighten the mood. You look great, by the way. Green’s not usually what a bride wears but you’re rocking it.”
“Thanks,” I say, not sure what to think. I can’t tell if Stefania’s teasing me or if she’s really trying to be nice.
“Go tell everyone we’re here,” Renzo says, dismissing his sister. “And be nice to Maddie.”
“Yes, Don Rossi.” She puts her hand on my arm. “Seriously, Maddie, it’s nice to meet you, and I look forward to getting to know you better.”
“Same to you.”
Stefania hurries off. We’re left standing in the living room near the back door. The curtains are drawn, covering the large windows that overlook the pool and yard area.
My heart races into my throat. My breath comes fast. Renzo holds my hand tight and squeezes. “You’ll be okay,” he says, voice low and calming. “There are only a few people out there. Carlo and Saul. Dante and a few of my important Capos. Staff members. Stefania. The priest. I wanted my mother, but—”
“It’s okay. Night’s hard for her.”
He nods once, expression serious. “We’ll walk down together. The priest will say the words, and that will be that.”
“You make it sound easy. Just walk out back and casually get married.”
“That’s exactly what it is.”
“But it’s real. I mean, we’re really doing this. You’re going to be my husband. Doesn’t that freak you out?”
“No,” he says and seems surprised by his own answer. From out back, music plays: the traditional wedding march. But Renzo doesn’t move. Instead, he turns to me and puts his hands on my hips. “Listen to me, baby. I never wanted to get married. I spent my life thinking I’d take a bride only when the Famiglia required me to.”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing right now?”
He nods once. “But I want you to know that I’m happy it’s you.”