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Sofia
The “party” for Caterina isn’t anything like what we would have done under normal circumstances. Especially with Ana along—I can only imagine the kind of places she would have dragged us to. But Luca asked me to make a list of things I’d want to have for it, and I’d done exactly that. Still a little caught off guard by how nice he’s been.
That night at the dinner table was the first time we’ve ever argued and not ended up with one of us storming off or making out violently. It didn’t end with me bent over a couch or tied up in bed while he showed me who, exactly, is in control.
It ended, shockingly, with him conceding something to me. Something I’d wanted since the morning we came back from the hospital and hadn’t thought I’d get back—being able to stay in my own room.
But it hadn’t made me as happy as I’d thought it would. I’d felt almost lonely last night, without Luca’s soft snores in the dark or the scent of his cologne on the covers, or the heat of his body warming the sheets even from all the way on the other side of his massive California king. The fact that he’d given in hadn’t felt like a victory. It had felt like—
Like he hadn’t really wanted me in there at all. Like he’d only ever forced it to make me do something that he knew I didn’t want.
And now that he’s gone back on it, it feels as ifhedoesn’t wantme.
It’s stupid. I know it’s stupid. I got what I wanted, and yet I’m still as confused and unhappy as ever. So instead of focusing on that, I think about how I’m going to have two more full days without Luca here, days to hopefully clear my head, and even better—days that I’ll get to spend with my friends. It won’t feel lonely in the penthouse with Caterina and Ana here. And hopefully, we’ll be able to cheer Caterina up, at least a little.
She shows up about an hour after Luca leaves, striped weekender bag in hand, and the first smile I’ve seen on her face since before the explosion. “This is really sweet of you,” she says as she sets the bag down, leaning forward to give me a hug.
“Are you kidding me? This place is huge; I feel like I get lost in it every day that I’m here by myself. It’ll be nice to have you and Ana here for the weekend.”
“When is she getting here?”
“Probably in a few hours.” I glance over as Gio, one of the two bodyguards Luca left, crosses through the room towards the kitchen. “I don’t know how I’m going to get used to having them here.”
“They’ll blend in soon. I remember having a bodyguard around the house off and on when I was a child, after what happened to your and Luca’s fathers. After a while, I didn’t even notice anymore.”
“I hope so.” I force a smile, trying to shake off any hint of a bad mood. “Luca asked me what I’d want to have here for your party. So we have plenty of wine, cupcakes, and he left instructions with Carmen for you to order whatever you want for dinner. We’re going to have a good time tonight, no matter what. We have the whole place to ourselves, and we’ll be safe. There’s so much security in this building I don’t know if a spider could crawl by without them seeing it.”
“Well, that’s a good thing,” Caterina says with a laugh. “I hate spiders.”
Sometime around nine, Ana finally shows up. After a back-and-forth about what to do, we find ourselves on the rooftop by the pool under the stars, with Ana making frozen daiquiris at the bar and pizza boxes scattered around.
“Oh my god.” Caterina practically moans as she takes a bite out of a sausage-and-cheese slice. “I can’t remember the last time I had pizza. I’ve been extra strict about my diet for the wedding, and I just—mm.” She takes another bite, folding half the piece into her mouth, and I cover my mouth with my hand to keep from laughing out loud.
“What?” She grins at me, wiping sauce away from her cheek with a napkin. “Have you never seen someone eat pizza before?”
“I’ve never seenyoueat pizza before. You’re always so elegant. I never thought I’d see the day when you’d stuff half a slice into your mouth in one bite.”
“Well, there’s no one else here besides you two to see, so I can do what I want.” Caterina laughs, laying back on the lounge chair and swallowing the last bite of her pizza. “It’s actually really freeing.”
Just that sentence gives me a glimpse into how strict her life must have been all these years. “What about college?” I ask curiously. “Didn’t you get to cut loose and have some fun then?”
Caterina snorts. “Hardly. I had to keep living with my parents, and I had a strict curfew. I was lucky they let me go at all. Nowadays, there’s no stigma among the younger mafia men about a wife with an education. But I wasn’t allowed to have many friends, or go out to parties, or do anything really except go to class and come home. They were too worried that I might ‘slip up.’”
“And do what, exactly?” Ana walks towards us with three strawberry daiquiris and hands them out, perching on the edge of her own chair as she takes a sip.
“Sleep with someone,” Caterina says flatly. “My virginity is quite the commodity. My parents made sure to protect it just as fiercely as any other part of the family business.”
Ana makes a face. “Wait, so you’re a virgin, too? God, I feel like a slut hanging out with you two.”
“I am.” Caterina laughs. “Sofia isn’t anymore.”
“Barely,” I mutter. “But I wasn’t beingmadeto stay that way. I just never dated.”
“At least you both got super-hot husbands to be your firsts,” Ana says, leaning forward. “Are you nervous?”
“A little,” Caterina admits. “Franco is like all the other younger men—and honestly, some of the older ones, too. He sleeps around constantly, from what I’ve heard. I don’t want him to not be happy on our wedding night.”
“So wait—you haven’t done anything? At all?” Ana frowns. “You’ve kissed him, right?”
