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A cold chill runs through me with the thought, and I hug myself. I have to get the negative thoughts out of my mind. “What do you suppose is next on the agenda tonight?”
The voice from above speaks as if on cue, “We hope everyone enjoyed dinner. It’s now time to go outdoors as we’ve prepared a fireworks spectacle for you all.”
Clapping and cheering, everyone begins to move in the same direction. The men move in by our sides, keeping our group together.
Frank’s hand rests on the small of my back, and I feel protected. “Is everything okay?” I ask him.
“As okay as it can get.” His tone is tense, and I know he’s not having fun at all.
I wish he could relax and enjoy this as much as I am. But he’s working, and I need to understand that. “The fireworks should be pretty.”
His eyes narrow. “I’m not looking forward to that at all.”
“You don’t like fireworks?” I love them. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t.
“If you think all that loud booming that sounds a lot like gunfire is something I should like right now, you would be mistaken.”
I hadn’t thought about that. “This is so hard on you. I’ll treat you extra special tonight when we go back to the hotel. You’ll be pampered and pleased in ways you’ve never been before,” I promise.
The tension leaves his eyes for a moment as he smiles at me. “You are the best.” Leaving a kiss on top of my head, he sighs. “I’m glad I’ve got you, baby.”
Leaning in close to him, I know I shouldn’t feel this way about a man who has taken everything from me and forced me into a fake marriage. God knows why I care for him the way I do, but I think I love this man.
Not that I’m going to say those three little words. I don’t know if he would even like me to tell him how much I care for him. He’s not exactly in touch with his feelings.
“I’m glad I’ve got you too, babe.” Reaching around to take his hand, I hold it and love the way our hands fit so well together. Like we were made for each other.
As we walk along with the crowd, I wonder if fate did step in or if this whole thing with us is just one big mistake that was never meant to happen.
It’s impossible to think that I was meant to be targeted and stalked by the Mafia just so they could take my business to use as a cover for their real businesses. It’s crazy to think that I was meant to be forced to live with a man who took away all I had.
I could tell myself that I should fight everything. I could tell myself that I’m being weak and should die before giving myself willingly to the man who stole everything from me. But anytime I think about the way I should feel about this, I know that I simply don’t feel that way.
I don’t feel robbed. I feel like Frank coming into my life was a gift. I know how crazy that sounds, but it’s the way I feel.
Out on the lush green lawn, I look up to see a night sky peppered with shining stars. “It’s so gorgeous out here. We should think about getting a home in the country, Frank.”
“Our place is in the city near my brother.” His eyes dart about as he checks out the area. “It’s dark out here.”
“Better to see the fireworks,” a man says from the other side of him.
Frank turns his head to look. “Dante!” He lets go of my hand to turn and hug the other man. Once he lets him go, he grabs my hand, pulling me forward. “This is my wife, Lisa. Lisa, this is my cousin Dante and his wife, Sofia.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I shake their hands. “You two weren’t at our wedding. I thought all of Frank’s family was there. You must be from his mother’s side of the family.”
Sofia shakes her head, moving closer to me as the men talk. “No, we’re Viettis too.” She waves at someone, and I see another couple walk up. “Guys, come meet Frank’s new wife.”
“More Viettis?” I ask.
“Yes,” Sofia says as she tugs a woman up beside her. “This is Grace. That’s her husband, Gio.”
He waves at me. “Welcome to the family, Lisa.”
Grace smiles at me, then moves in and hugs me. “I’m so happy to meet you, Lisa. We heard about the marriage. It was about a month ago, right?”
“Yes. We celebrated our one-month anniversary this last week. He gave me a gorgeous set of gold jewelry. I didn’t expect a gift, but he surprised me. Frank surprises me a lot.”
“Is this Lisa?” I hear a woman ask.
