This was it.
My official act of rebellion. As of today, I was throwing my lot in with the mafia. In a way, it was a long-overdue homecoming. I came from this side of the tracks, and while my father had been an associate, never taking the vow to become a Made Man, I would gladly make a vow—whether it be in a church, a country club, or any other venue—to bind myself to this life.
And this man.
But we weren’t there in our relationship. A ring and new name were inevitable, but I was content to wait and enjoy every blissful moment of the present, knowing the future held a bright promise of fulfilled wishes in store for me.
Just to be sure he knew, I tugged on Cristiano’s suit jacket. He bent, and I whispered, “I choose you, monster.”
His sinful smile made my insides smolder. “Good—that is the right choice, not that I would have givenyou another.”
Tucked under his arm, I advanced into the hall of the Boston don. There were faces, familiar though aged, who greeted me. Mr. Messina rose from his seat to wrap me in a hug.
“Nicole, I’m so happy to see you, ragazza mia,” he crooned in my ear.
He pulled me to the table where Vincenzo already sat. Taking a seat beside Cristiano, I dined on one of the best Christmas dinners in the history of the holiday. It was the perfect start to my forbidden romance, and the fitting ending to the reunion with my childhood friend.
***
Why the hell Cristiano’s brother insisted on accompanying us back to the Loring mausoleum was beyond me. The fact that it seemed to equally annoy my monster was of little comfort. I had plans for Cristiano, ones that involved just the two of us and a hell of a lot less clothing, before my sister’s flight landed.
But here we were, the three of us, sitting around the living room, sipping cocoa and munching on cookies.
Well…the guys ate cookies. I was stuffed, and not in the good way, from too much Italian Christmas dinner.
“There she is,” Cristiano said, peering over to look out the window.
Since we were all old acquaintances, I hoped the shock of seeing the Messina boys wouldn’t upset Amanda too badly. I squirmed out of Cristiano’s arm and dashed to open the front door.
“Merry Christmas, you filthy animal,” I cheered, giving my overworked and exhausted sister a big hug.
Heruffof surprise made my heart ache just a little. I was determined not to let her go running off to the Big Apple before the New Year. Her firm could exist without her for a few days at least.
Convincing her of that was another matter.
“Who’s here?” she hissed, dragging her teeny suitcase inside.
“Some old friends,” I announced and stepped back.
Cristiano wrapped his arm around me as he looked over my head to meet Amanda’s wide stare. “Good to see you, Amanda. How was your flight?”
“It was—” she stopped short.
Even lost in my own love story, I felt the crackle of tension in the air.
“It’s been a long time, Mandy.”
Suddenly, my monster and I faded to the background as Vincenzo and Amanda stared at one another. The smirk on his face felt cruel. Dangerous. I snapped my gaze to hers, hoping to understand. The sheer terror only confused me more.
“Oh, hell no!” Amanda croaked.
Shaking her head wildly, as if it would clear the visage from the room, Amanda tugged out her phone.
“Get the fuck out of my house, Messina. This is your only warning.” With that barking command, my fearless sister darted up the stairs.
If Cristiano wasn’t holding me upright, I might have been knocked over in the rush of air as she passed. A stunned silence ebbed in her wake.
What the hell was that?
