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I might not have been as blunt as Chellie. She has the call on speaker, so I’m careful to remain silent.
“What? What are you talking about, Michelle?”
“When were you going to tell me that Grandpa was a member of the O’Rourkes’ mob family until he met Granny? When were you going to tell me that the reason you shoot like a sniper is because Grandpa wanted to make sure you could defend yourself?”
“How do you know all this?”
“That’s your first thought? Not to deny it or correct me?”
“It’s obvious you already know. I want to know how.”
“I’m going to marry Lorenzo Mancinelli.”
I cringe. What the fuck has gotten into her?
“The hell you are, Michelle. You are not marrying into the don’s family. Do you know what those people do?”
“The same things your grandfathers did. The same things Grandpa did until he left.”
“Left. That’s the operative word. He left it because he loved his family more than money and murder.”
“Mom, you should have told me.”
“What? Like bedtime stories? Was I supposed to say, once upon a time, your grandpa used to kill people and taught me how to do it because evil men might come after us? How about this story, once upon a time your new boyfriend’s grandfather, Vicenzu Mancinelli, shot your grandfather in the leg? Is Lorenzo the guy you mentioned? Is he the one you said you’re serious about? I didn’t think the guy you were dating was that high up. There are tons of Mancinellis.”
“Yes.”
“So, you call and unload on me, sliding in there that you want to marry a man you’ve only dated for what — a month, maybe two — and I’m supposed to share every family secret. Is he pressuring you to do this, Chelle? Are you safe?”
She looks at me, and I can tell she’s severely regretting her lack of tact. It’s so completely unlike her I don’t even know what to think. I think she’s shocked at herself.
“I am safe with Lorenzo and his family. But I’m angry that I found out about our family from them. If Enzo’s grandfather shot Grandpa, what did Grandpa do to wind up Vicenzu’s target?”
“Breathed.”
Her brow furrows. I wish the call wasn’t on speaker. I would whisper to her, but I can’t. The best I can do is shoot her a rueful frown and nod. That sounds just like my grandfather. He was a hard man. Old school Mafia to a T. Papa and Uncle Salvatore are nothing like the man I remember from when I was a kid.
Nonnowould have called them both weak for the affection they show their children, but I think they’re both far stronger men and leaders than he ever was. He often terrified me as a kid. He had a foul temper. He never turned it on me or my brothers and sister, but that’s because we stayed away when he was like that. Not everyone in my family was so lucky.
“Mom, do you really believe no one in this world knows about us? Knows how closely you and I are related to the mob?”
“We aren’t close at all.”
“Laura’s dad is, and you’re Susan’s best friend.”
I didn’t know that. Mothers are best friends, and daughters are best friends. That makes my head hurt. Fuck.
“And Laura’s parents have nothing to do with the O’Rourkes.”
“Not true. They must not have told you that something happened to Laura while she and Maks were dating then right after they got married. I don’t know what, but I know it had to do with O’Rourkes who are now dead. Killian was involved somehow because it was his family. You knew who and what Killian’s family is, and you let me be friends with Laura. You’re best friends with Susan. You never tried to keep our family away from that. You just tried to keep me away from the truth.”
“Can you blame me? Chelle, what made you call me so angry? We talked a few days ago. You didn’t tell me who you were dating, but you said you were the happiest you’ve ever been. You keep telling me you’re serious, but now you say you’re marrying a man you haven’t introduced a single member of the family to. You don’t even know the Mancinellis. You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
I watch Chellie wince.
“I know the Mancinellis, Mom.”
There’s a long pause.
