Page 46 of Mafia’s Fake Bride

“No, we need to keep an eye on her, even when she gets out of the hospital. Unless I find those fuckwits that did this first. And whoever put them up to it. I’ll be in touch, get back to your wife, boss.”

“Thanks, Anton. Take care out there.”

Anton had hung up and Matteo went back to his vigil. Now the sun had gone down and the world became much smaller somehow. It was nothing but him and Marie, that was all that existed in this new world. A world where he knew, knew deep down, that he loved this woman.

Trina came in around 7 pm, tears a wet stain on her face. “She was supposed to meet me you know? I had no idea what had happened, why didn’t you call me, Matteo? I had to find out from Ma!”

She punched him softly as she came into the room, her stormy eyes even more turbulent as she fell into his arms. “It’s alright, Trina, it’s not your fault.”

“I waited, and waited, and she didn’t show. I tried to call but her phone just went to voicemail. I was so scared, Matteo. I tried to call you too, but you didn’t answer. Why the fuck didn’t you answer?”

“I was… with her, Trina. I just, I was trying to focus on her. And Anton’s investigating, so I talked to him, but other than that, I haven’t spoken to anyone.” He sat down in a hard plastic chair and she joined him on the other one.

“Does she have any family we should call?” From the strain in Trina’s voice, Matteo knew she’d been crying for a while and that she was really upset. That touched him because his normally tough as nails little cousin was usually too hard for tears and crying.

“No, not that I know of. It’s just us.”

“That’s so sad, Matteo. She said she wasn’t close to her family, but to think that they are that estranged? She’s so kind and gentle too. You know she brought me chocolates every time we met? Even when I told her she didn’t have to, she would, because she knows I have a sweet tooth. God, I wasn’t sure you’d made the right decision when you married this girl, but Matteo, she’s something else. Is she alright?” Trina’s ramblings finally came to an end and she looked over at him with guarded eyes.

“Yeah, she’ll be fine.” His reassurance made her smile again. “I’m glad she’s touched you in such a way, Trina, because she’s one special lady.”

“That she is. So, who we killing for this?” Trina’s hard gaze told him she wasn’t kidding, and he nodded his head. She’d been a part of the family business for a while but had taken a break over the last few months to “get her head straight”. She was back in the game then.

“I think it’s that Senator I used to have to deal with. Either him or that little upstart family on the other side of the city. I’m not sure.”

“There’s another possibility you know?” Trina stared at him hard, her gaze a warning.

“No, I don’t think Celeste would…” but she interrupted him.

“Oh, come on, we both know the story, Matteo, what happened. This was almost exactly the same. I tell you what, it even makes me wonder about that other family that took the blame. Ever since I heard what happened, I can’t stop thinking about it.” She sat back in her chair, the tough girl act over for now. Trina was smart, logical, and saw things others wouldn’t notice.

“I’ll give it some thought,” he answered her, but he didn’t really want to think about it. It was too close to home and he didn’t want to think of his aunt as the kind of person that would kill his wife. Only people that had never met her, that had never known how truly sweet and wonderful she was would want to hurt her.

“See that you do. I know she raised you but that woman is a menace, you’ve said it yourself before,” Trina offered, but Matteo shook his head.

“She’s in Italy, how could she…” But he knew how she could arrange this. The Internet had made the world a much smaller place, and anything was possible.

The idea burned a line in his brain that ached so much he put his hand to his head. No, it couldn’t be Celeste.

“I think it had something to do with that senator. He came to me not long ago, made some threats to try to let me get his nephew to deal drugs in the Mexican place, you know?” Matteo whispered, in case the cop guarding the door was listening. “I think he got pissed when I cut that shit down from the start. I told him no and why he’d never ask me to do such a thing again, in no uncertain terms. I think this was a threat.”

“A what?” Marie asked as she sat up in the bed, her eyes not focusing well for a moment.

“Nothing, baby. You want some water?”

“I’m hungry,” she murmured and then smiled when she saw Trina. Marie held her arms out and the other woman came in for a hug. “I’m so glad to see you. I’m sorry I missed out spa day. I was trying to get there.”

“We’ll do it another day, girl, don’t you worry,” Trina answered, her face buried in Marie’s hair as tears started to fall all over again. “I’m just glad you’re alright, sweetie.”

“I am too. That shit was scary as fuck!” Marie surprised them both with the swear words. Must be the drugs, Matteo thought with a silent chuckle. She’d swear sometimes, but usually only when she was mad or otherwise upset. But then, being gunned down was scary as fuck.

“I’m so proud of you for getting out of that alive.” Trina sat back down but she kept a hold on Marie’s hand. “I don’t know that I could do what you did, girl.”

“I panicked, pure and simple,” Marie offered, her face tense. “I didn’t know what to do, and I froze at first. Then my foot moved, and wouldn’t come off the gas pedal, even though I couldn’t see. All I could think to do was drive away. I didn’t know if they’d follow me, but I didn’t care. I was heading for the hospital, trying to get away…”

Matteo took her hand from Trina as her voice trailed off. “You don’t have to go through it again.”

“But that’s just it, Matteo.” She turned her face to look at him directly. “I’m dreaming about it, and when I’m awake, it replays over and over in my head. I can’t escape it right now. I know I will, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, but for now, I just see those faces covered in black ski masks as they raised their guns and aimed at me.”