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“Look who I found,” Frankie announced, getting the attention of everyone.
“Perfect. Fern should be here soon.” Marco joined us while Rosa went to the drink cart.
She gave us a constipated smile. “Do either of you want a drink?”
“Yes please.” I met Rosa’s impassive stare and added, “A sparkling water.”
“You got it.”
Frankie followed Marco to the bar, and I was left standing in the middle of the room. I couldn’t come up with one time that I hadn’t felt like a total outsider in that house. Even married into the family, I was still on the outside looking in.
Pressing my luck, I spoke directly to the fuming matriarch of the Moretti family. “Hello Rosa.”
“Sasha,” she responded with none of the warmth I was accustomed to, but at least she wasn’t threatening me. That was an improvement.
The doorbell rang, and everyone tensed. The click-clack of heels got closer, announcing Fern’s arrival.
Marco brought me a sparkling water, and I downed half of it. Regret was immediate as I started coughing, the bubbles going down the wrong pipe.
Unperturbed by my fit, Rosa met Fern in the doorway. “Fern.”
I let out a silent breath of relief that Rosa’s voice had gone absolutely arctic. At least there was one person she hated more than me.
“Mrs. Moretti. It’s good to see you again.” Fern’s stiff body language and stilted words suggested otherwise, but as a newly sworn-in member of the “Rosa hates you” club, I understood.
“Mhm. Follow me to the office.” And off Rosa went, leaving us to scramble in behind her.
When I entered the office, Rosa gestured for me to sit next to her while Marco sat behind the desk. Fern took the last seat in front of Marco and the firing squad while Frankie shut the door and leaned against it.
Once she’d shifted in her seat for the fifth time, I finally asked, “So?”
She cleared her throat and took out a pad of paper. “After reviewing the evidence, I think we’re in a good place to make a deal that would get Luca out of prison in under ten years.” Her smooth voice grated on my ears, but she wasn’t done. “When I met with Luca yesterday, he—”
My heart started to race, and my cheeks were hot. “Yesterday?” I gritted out.
Fern swallowed, and all the color drained from her face. “Yes. I went to discuss the case and hear the facts straight from him.”
“You were supposed to check with us.” I poked my chest and stood. “We were supposed to be in that meeting.”
“I thought it was best—”
“You—” I took a step forward, but Rosa’s smooth, warm hand wrapped around mine and, she gently pulled me back.
“Fern. I think it’s best if you tell us how we’re moving forward and then leave.” Rosa grimaced as I gripped her hand, fighting the urge to rip Fern’s strawberry blond braid from her fucking head.
“Of course. I have a meeting with the prosecution and then we’ll have to discuss Luca’s options.”
I parted my lips, ready to demand more, but Rosa squeezed my fingers.
“That’s it?” Marco tilted his head.
“Until we get an actual offer from the prosecution, yes.”
“Then you can go.” Marco stood and gestured toward the door, which Frankie shoved off and opened.
Fern blinked rapidly, her mouth hanging open until it finally snapped shut. Her hands shook slightly as she put her pad of paper back in her bag. “I—well—” She looked from face to face, not finding an ounce of warmth. Dipping her chin, she stood and walked out of the room, braid swinging to and fro, begging me to wrap it around my fist as I bashed her head into the historic floors.
Frankie followed behind her and left the three of us alone in the office.
