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I nod my head in agreement without looking at Carlotta. As the most beautiful mafia princess of her generation, she would naturally look nothing less than that tonight.
Instead of being happy with my quick acquiescence, my mother frowns before her facial features smooth into a placid expression. What is that about?
"I think Mamma expected you to compliment your fiancée," my brother whispers in my ear, his amusement palpable.
I do not shrug. However, I am unmoved and I do not rush to give the expected compliment.
Carlotta doesn't like when I remark on her beauty. Her mouth tightens and her eyes narrow. It happens when others comment on it as well. I am surprised my mother has not noticed.
I'm sure Catalina is aware of how her sister responds to comments about her looks. She seems even more adept at reading people than my mother.
"You did well choosing this restaurant for the dinner," I tell my fiancée.
As I expect, this causes a genuine smile to appear on her perfectly made-up face. "I'm looking forward to trying one of their signature dishes."
Though traditionally my mother would have chosen the restaurant, as the rehearsal dinner is the responsibility of the groom's family, she was happy to go with Carlotta's suggestion. She made the comment that she'd had more influence on the wedding arrangements than she had expected to have.
"I will let you order for me." I do not care what I eat as I suspect there are no unpalatable entrees on the menu.
"Really?" Carlotta's smile grows. "Will you allow me to sample a bite of your dinner too?"
I shrug. "If you like."
This seems to please her, and I check to see if Catalina notices. She does and gives me an approving look.
"How romantic," my sister calls when she sees me offering Carlotta the promised bite of food after all the entrees have been brought to the table.
Carlotta stiffens, but her expression remains bland. Is she that unconcerned, or has she become that good at hiding her inner feelings? If it is the latter, that will be a benefit to her as my wife.
The don's wife cannot always show her true feelings. In fact, never showing them without careful consideration would be best.
Though I do not see a reason for it, Carlotta grows increasingly tense as the night progresses. She talks less and less, answering questions put to her with as few words as possible. A couple of times, she's so lost in her own thoughts, I have to prompt her to reply to someone's comment.
Catalina throws her sister a look of concern after each occurrence, showing that despite being at the other end of the table, she is paying close attention to us. Or at least to her sister.
Though I have caught her looking at me with an odd expression, almost like grief, more than once. When I meet her gaze, she turns her head away.
Is she that worried about how I will treat her sister? I may not be the most attentive husband, but I will not hurt Carlotta.
She will never see the harsh cruelty that comes out in my role as don to a crime syndicate. Just as my mother never witnessed that side of my father. To her, he was never less than a gentleman.
I will offer no less to my own wife.
Chapter 21
CATALINA
The morning of my sister's wedding, we are taken early to the church so we can get ready there. Carlotta expects it to take hours. I prepare myself for the tedium of having my hair and makeup done.
When we arrive in the room set aside for us, Carlotta seems agitated. We are both planning on keeping our casual clothes on until just before the ceremony so we do not crease our gowns.
I notice Carlotta's dress is not hanging up with mine. "Where is your dress?"
I know it was in the SUV, our extra bodyguards rode in. I put it there myself.
"I had it put in the other room."
"What? Why?" I ask.
