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I callmy father and tell him what Tommaso told me after leaving.
“I’m surprised Sammie allowed him to rack up that much debt,” my father says. “We need to tell Severino. He’s the only one who can help his son.”
“I’d like to put a bullet in the motherfucker’s head for being that stupid,” I grind out. “I don’t want him near Neomi. Who knows who else he’s pissed off?”
If you’re in trouble with one loan shark, you owe others.
Always.
Men like Tommaso accumulate anywhere they can.
“I don’t think Severino has a million dollars to hand over,” I add, hitting my turn signal and cutting a right.
My father sighs. “I’m sure Tommaso has already gone to him with past debts and drained as much cash as he could from his father. Watch over your wife; if all else fails, we might need to step in.”
“I’m not about to pay a million dollars for a man who will only continue to put himself in more debt.”
“I know.” He’s quiet for a moment while the two of us brainstorm. “I’ll see if I can talk with Sammie.”
“No,” I rush out. “Don’t get yourself involved.”
“It seems we’re already involved. They attempted to kidnap your wife.”
I scrub a hand over my face. “Thanks for the reminder.” It makes me want to turn the car around, return to Tommaso’s, and beat him senseless.
I swore I didn’t give a fuck about Neomi, but now, all I want to do is protect her. And I’ll bring hell onto this earth if I have to while doing it.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
NEOMI
The bed isBenny-less when I wake up, but it’s not like I expected a passionate morning with my new husband. His absence is a relief and allows me time to process the changes in my life.
I got married.
Was almost kidnapped.
I want answers as much as Benny does.
The sheets smell like Benny. I rise and stretch my arms. My toes sink into the Persian rug when I step out of bed, wander across the room, and open the curtains. Sunlight spills into the room, and the house is quiet.
I smile when I open the closet and find my clothing hanging inside. I snag a sweater and a pair of leggings and get dressed. Then, I head downstairs to find Luca eating at the kitchen table.
His attention flicks to me, and he drops his fork. “Oh, hey, Neomi.”
I smile before pointing at the table. “Are you eating my wedding cake for breakfast?”
He nods. “Your mom gave me a plate last night. Good choice on the lemon curd. It’s my favorite.”
Luca reminds me of a not-so-intense Benny. He shares the same Marchetti genes as Benny, but Luca’s aren’t as prominent.
You know not to mess with Luca, but he isn’t as terrifying as my husband. Luca has more humor laced into his personality, but that tends to always be the case. He doesn’t have as much expectation held over him. If you’re next in line to take over the family, you don’t get a life outside that. Your days are consumed with being educated on maintaining this life and caring for your family.
There’s no having fun, like your cousins and friends.
It’s something Tommaso has always struggled with.
It’s also why my brother isn’t cut out for the responsibilities my father plans to give him someday.
