AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He did a lovely job,” I continue lying. “It was very Titanic of him.”
Oh. Ohshit. Does anyone even know that reference? I hope not, because I just remembered thatthaticonic painting was done in the nude.
“Leave it to Adriano,” Bleach Blonde mutters. “Always the player, isn’t he?”
How dare she insult my husband on our wedding day? And also, he is not a player. I know every player at the club because I’ve played with them, and he most certainly isn’t one of them.
“Absolutely not,” I say with a forced laugh. “My husband is loyal and dedicated. You must be thinking of another hot Italian formerly eligible bachelor.” I give her a smile.
“Alright, fine,” Adriano whispers in my ear. “I’ll lower the tally for that one, but it’s a one-time-only exception.”
I’m really warming up to this role. I congratulate myself. I’ve never had an acting job with so much on the line.
I turn to face him and whisper back, “Is that supposed to be a reward?”
Champagne gives me nerves of steel.
Maybe I’ll get an Oscar.
“One hour,” he says. “One hour is all they get of you. The rest of the night ismine.”
* * *
CHAPTERNINE
“PHONIES”
Adriano
Quinn charms everyonewho ends up in her orbit.
That’s the problem.
On the list of things I wouldn’t want in a woman are snarky, talkative, and extroverted. She checks off every damn one.
WhatwouldI want in a woman? I’ve never even considered it until now.
“Where’d you meet her?” Joe Sharpono, newly inducted captain of the Portland mob, asks. Quinn’s by Marialena’s side so she’s safe for now.
Marialena’s husband Salvatore assures me she’s as sharp with a weapon as he is.
“She’s hot as fuck.”
Motherfucking bastard. “You say that about my wife again, I don’t care where the fuck we are, I’ll cut out your tongue and deliver it toyourwife.”
“Alright, alright,” he says, holding his hands up. “Sorry ‘bout that; I was just kiddin’ wit ya.” Joe suddenly gets very interested in the shrimp table on the other side of the room.
“Fucking prick,” Romeo mutters.
“When’d you get here?” Romeo, Sergio’s older cousin and head of the Rossi family mob, has a knack for being in all places at all times. It’s impressive.
He shrugs. “Marialena texted me. I wasn’t far so I decided to join the festivities.” Holding up the flute, he clinks his glass to mine. “Congratulations. Quinn is quite a catch. The pictures you both posted online were stunning.”
He knows, then, why we’re here and what caused the nuptials to begin with and he’s telling me it went well.
I can breathe a little easier. Soon, I’ll be able to get her the hell out of here. I can’t fucking stand the way everyone here all pits each other against themselves, how they plan and how every other word out of their mouths are lies. Half of the men in here brought escorts for the night and the other half are cheating on their spouses.
This is why I’d never planned to get married.
