AllFreeNovel
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“Seriously though,” Carlo says, leaning forward on his elbow. “You seem happy.”
“Why does it sound like you’re accusing me of something?”
“I’m not. You’re supposed to be. You’re a newlywed.”
“Stole her right out from under my nose, too,” Saul says as he sinks a shot.
“I’m going to hear that for the rest of my life, aren’t I?”
“Yes, pretty much.” Saul lines up another shot, but misses. “I’ll get sick of that joke eventually.”
“Don’t listen to him. You’re happy.” Carlo raises a glass. “Here’s to that.”
“I’m worried about her though.” I lean in closer, pitching my voice soft so Renzo and Saul can’t hear. They’re busy arguing about the game anyway. “She seems adrift. This shit with her family?—”
“Those fucking pricks.” Carlo’s jaw sets. “They should be out on the street killing every single Russian and Irishman they can find.”
“That’d be half of Philadelphia. It’d be a slaughter.”
“They’d deserve it.” He glares at his drink. “Fuckers shot me.”
“To be fair, you’ve shot more than a few of them.”
“Only in revenge.”
“And how’s that going? Feel better yet?”
He makes a rude gesture at me. “Fuck off. I don’t need to hear it from you. I’m getting it enough from Renzo.”
That’s a surprise. I glance back at my older brother. He seems oblivious of our conversation. “Maybe you should listen to the Don.”
“Nah. I’m good. How about we discuss your problems some more instead?”
I grunt at him and accept his change of subject. “Maddie’s been trying to make Allegra feel welcome and that’s been good, but I can tell she misses her family.”
“Don’t know why. The cowards.”
“Carlo.”
“Alright, fine.” He waves me away. “Look, I get it. Allegra’s in a bad spot. She ditched her fiancé, twice, and now she’s paying for it.”
“How long’s that going to last?”
“I don’t know.”
I jostle my knee, unable to sit still. “I just want to fix this for her. That’s all.”
Carlo stares at me again. “You actually love her, don’t you?”
“That’s what I keep telling everyone.”
“No, I’m serious. Renzo thinks you’re full of shit. I thought you were too, but you’re not. You’re really in love.”
I meet his gaze and don’t look away. “Like I said.”
“Wow. Huh.” He leans back in his chair. “That sort of changes things.”
“How?”
