“You can talk to Nana Fia on FaceTime. And we’ll visit her soon.” I smile.
“Tell Mommy bye for now. She needs to rest.”
“Bye mommy. I love you.”
I grin. “I love you too, Madden.”
Nico kisses my lips in front of Madden, then walks to the other end of the bedroom and sits in a tall upholstered forest-green chair. I notice how put-together this room is. There’s a his-and - hers closet in a warehouse that doubles as a torture chamber. I hadn’t checked out every room. I’ll explore later.
“Where’s angry bear?” Nico’s smile is so wide I’m not sure I’d seen him this happy since we stood at the altar and said I do.
I snuggle into my pillow and watch them until my eyelids lower.
Two hours later, I stroll down the steps. My gaze instantly falls on one of my enemies. The devilish grin that lifts my cheeks weakens. And I do a double take. Where’s Ettore?
Is he dead? No, can’t be. Panic sets in. Nico would tell me, right? The smell of cigar smoke wafts through the air. My eyes shift to where I hear the laughter coming from. I grin from ear to ear.
“Ryah, make drinks,” Sierra urges as her eyes hold mine.
I can’t believe the mafia wives are here. They’re dressed down in colorful leggings, cute t-shirts, and sneakers.
“Ladies, you’re here.” I beam as I approach.
Serenity stands and pulls me into a hug. “Of course we are. You’re a mafia wife now.”
She steps back. “We always want to be there for each other during times of torture.” Sierra chuckles.
The other wives chuckle, too.
“How does it feel having the men responsible for terror in your grasp?” Emoni sips her smoothie.
“So good. It feels almost surreal. I’d been watching my back for so long.”
Ryah smiles, pushing the fruity alcohol beverage toward me. “Of course, you know in this life you will forever watch your back.”
I push the unease down and meet her gaze. “Yeah,” I mutter.
My dad will always have enemies who can come after his family. And my new husband has other enemies who will want our blood.
Focus on the here and now, Serenity.
“But,” she plants her palms on the bar and her brows lower. “Getting the main enemies out of the way is an indescribable feeling.”
“It is,” Lexis and Emoni say simultaneously.
Carmen dances with her drink of choice, smirking. “Torture is so therapeutic.”
“This one used to be a good girl.” Sierra shakes her head.
The girls laugh.
“Not a good girl anymore,” Emoni snickers.
I pick up the glass tumbler. “Thank you, Ryah.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Carmen, I couldn’t agree more. I’m ready to start my torture therapy.” I wink.
