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Allegra
The union hall is packed with Rinaldo and Rossi family, friends, associates, and organization members. I know most of the people from our side, and a lot of the people from the Rossis, but there are still a lot I’ve never seen before.
In Philadelphia, there are three main Italian families. There used to be more, but over time they’ve slowly died out as law enforcement has cracked down on organized crime. Thanks, RICO, for messing that up. Now it’s just Papa, Don Rossi, and Don Milano.
This alliance is important, and my marriage to Saul is the keystone keeping it all from crumbling apart. Which means I’m the center of attention and I absolutely despise it.
“You look like you’re about to light the bar on fire,” Sophia says in my ear as she snatches a wine glass from a server and shoves it in my hands. “Try to smile.”
I spread my lips and show my teeth.
She grimaces. “Okay, stop, that’s worse.”
I sigh and take a long drink. “Sorry. I’m just overwhelmed. I think I’ve been introduced to like six dozen different people and I don’t remember any of their names.”
“I know, it’s kind of crazy, right? I didn’t know you were so important.”
“I’m not.” I give her a look and gesture back at the mass of people. “This is about them, not about me.”
Sophia’s lips press tightly. “I know you’re right, but come on. At least look at it this way. You’re important now, you know? You can probably get whatever you want out of your dad.”
I laugh despite myself. “Good point. New wardrobe? New car? Hey, maybe he’ll buy me a beach house.”
“Lucky girl. If only we could all get thrown into an arranged marriage. Meanwhile, I’m still looking for Mr. Right.”
“You’re looking for Mr. Mafia, let’s be real.”
Sophia shrugs and leans in, gazing across the dance floor. “Don’t move, but I think I’ve already found him.”
I follow her eyes and spot a young man in a suit I’ve never seen before. Mid to late twenties, handsome, with a big gold chain over a simple black sweater. Definitely a young soldier. “Should we make an approach?”
“No way. In front of our whole family? They’d gut me.”
She has a point. Everyone’s here: uncles, aunts, cousins, even a few distant relatives I barely remember. It’s actually kind of nice, having everyone under one roof, even if it is exhausting. And so far, after an hour of mingling, things are going well. Don Rossi and Papa are sitting at a table together holding court with their bodyguards close by. Everyone’s laughing, having a good time, and the free booze is flowing like water.
I’m on glass two. A slight buzz keeps me loose. I’m pretty sure the wine’s the only thing keeping me from trying to escape. And it’s definitely the only thing that keeps me from making a noise as I scan the room to the left, over toward the door, only to spot Carlo Rossi step in followed by Gian.
I don’t move. My mouth opens and my breathing hitches. Again, like last time, panic hits me. Animalistic and intense.
He looks so good. He’s wearing a perfect suit, pitch black, with a gorgeous white shirt under it. His eyes burn across the room as he scans the crowd, and slowly, they meet mine. He remains near the door, staring, his stoic face twitching slightly. He licks his lower lip and a jolt of animalistic need ripples into my core.
Gian Rossi is here.
I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s a Rossi brother, after all. I just hoped that he’d stay away, given our history, but clearly, he doesn’t give a damn about that. And why would he? It was ten years ago, and he didn’t give a shit about me back then. Nothing’s changed with him.
I tear my gaze away as Sophia keeps making jokes about flirting with that cute young soldier. I try to smile and laugh and make appropriate comments, but I keep looking into the crowd, trying to find Gian again. He seems to have disappeared, like he was never actually here, and I’m just obsessing about him for no reason.
We mingle some more. Saul and I talk awkwardly with a group of union bosses. Mostly he’s driving the conversation while I do my best to look interested. It’s about halfway through the night when I manage to disengage from him again, my feet killing me, my mouth numb from fake-smiling so much. I head to the bar and ask for a glass of wine.
I feel him step up beside me. I glance over and freeze, my body tensing. Every inch of my skin is aware of his presence.
Gian looks at me, and for the first time in ten years, we’re close enough to touch.
My mouth opens. There’s so much I want to say. I want to turn and run—I want to scream in his face—I want to curl up and disappear.
I’m marrying his brother in a month.
“We need to talk,” he says softly and I almost don’t hear him. I step closer out of pure instinct and regret it immediately.
