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There’s nothing to soften this meeting for me. He might feel relief that the fighting will be over soon, but all I can feel is dread.
For me, the worst is just beginning.
“We can turn back,” he says and leans over to kiss my cheek. I have the irrational desire to push him away.
“Really?”
“No, not really. I just thought it was nice to offer.”
“Thanks for the empty gesture.”
“They want to meet you, and I want you to meet them. And I haven’t actually talked to my older brother yet.” He glances at the house. He broke the news to his younger brother Carlo three days ago after they took down Finnian. Since then, he hasn’t heard anything from the main house, right up until this morning when he got a summons from his older brother.
Which he says is a good and a bad sign. It means Renzo’s pissed, but at least he wants to talk.
“Are you sure I’m welcome here?”
“You’re my wife. Wherever I go, you can go too.”
“I’m not sure it works that way.”
“Baby. Look at me.” He tilts my chin toward him. I shiver as I stare into his eyes. “This is a Band-Aid situation. We rip it off, get the pain over with, and move on. Things are going to be okay. I promise.”
“Are you sure?”
“I swear to you, nothing bad will happen to you in that house. You’re mine, Molly, and you’re carrying my child. You’re safe.”
I chew my lip. I want to tell him that it isn’t me I’m most worried about—it’s him. I know how much his family means to him, and I know how much it’ll devastate him if they reject him today. I wish we could avoid this completely, hide away in our house, pretend like the world doesn’t matter.
But that’s selfish. I have what I need. Nana and Jason are safe. They love their new apartment, and they have plenty of money thanks to Saul’s generosity. For the first time in my life, I don’t have to worry about taking care of them every waking hour.
Saul takes care of everyone.
It’s amazing, how much lighter I feel.
When he gets out of the car, I follow him, still feeling afraid but willing myself to be strong for his sake. I don’t want him to worry about me on top of dealing with his brothers.
The guard at the front door says nothing when Saul steps inside. He doesn’t bother knocking, and I remind myself that he comes here most days. This is normal for him—the fact that he stayed away for three days was the strange part.
“My office is over there,” he murmurs, pointing down a side hallway. “And Renzo’s this way.”
But we don’t make it very far. There are footsteps straight ahead, and suddenly a girl comes careening around a corner.
She’s young and very pretty. I’d guess around my age, with thick dark hair and big, gorgeous eyes. I can see the family resemblance in her—she’s got the Rossi nose and chin—but where Saul’s got hard, lean angles, she’s all softness.
“You brought her,” the girl says, stumbling to a stop, breathing hard and beaming. “Oh my god, I’m so excited.”
“Stefania,” Saul says, sounding annoyed. “How’d you know we were here?”
“Bribed the door guy to text me.” She shuffles closer, her hands clasped in front of her. “Hey, my name’s Stefania, it’s so good to meet you.”
“I’m Molly.” I hold out a hand, but Stefania ignores it and gives me an enormous hug.
“You’re so fucking pretty,” she says and holds me by the shoulders. “And you must be the most patient girl in the world.”
“Patient?”
“You married freaking Saul and you haven’t killed yourself. I’m pretty sure you earned sainthood.”
