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Walking into the garden, I light a cigarette. It’s a bad habit. Elio doesn’t even know I’ve picked it up again. I smoke, letting my head clear. I’ve got blood on my hand, spatters of it. The night is dark, but no lights switch on. Nobody else heard what I did to that scumbag. Picking up my cell phone, I text my brother.Are you awake?
A minute later, he responds.Yeah, but I’m busy. Is it important?
That makes me smile. There was a time when, day or the middle of the night, Elio would drop whatever he was doing if I texted him. That’s because he was only ever working, and we mainly discussed work. It’s good to think of him as busy with his woman.
What we talked about… a little less darkness. It’s done. You don’t have to think about it anymore.
I’m wondering if he’s pissed as I wait for his reply. I could see the violent intent in his eyes. He was ready to tear that lowlife to pieces. My phone vibrates—a new message.
Thank you, brother.
CHAPTER30
Scarlet
I think this is going well,I text Elio, looking at him across the restaurant. As he stands at the bar of the restaurant where I used to work, I have to remind myself that we made it. It’s been three days since the police arrested Russel in the hospital. Initially, my man told me they would keep Russel for weeks.
“Luca did me a favor. He found some dirt on Russel. Something so bad, it doesn’t matter what he says now. With me as don, even if that piece of filth tried to leak something, I’d keep the city in check.”
There have been no leaks, though. From the darkness in my man’s eyes when he talks about Russel, I know there’s lots he’s not telling me. I know my Elio did violent, bloody things to that man to protect me.
Elio reaches into the pocket of his silver suit jacket, reads the text message, and smirks over at me. He’smine. We’ve saidI love youso many times I’ve lost count. The first time we had sex, it was shocking and crazy, and I was struggling to believe I could be everything my man wanted me to be. Now, there’s no doubt.
I’m surprised, honestly,he texts, leaning against the bar, looking so stylish and confident andmine.Even Dad looks like he’s having a good time.
Looking across the table at Luca smirking at his blond date, Mom sitting beside Alessia, and Leo with a soft smile on his face, I remind myself how lucky I am— how luckyweare. Russel and hisShanksalmost ruined our lives, but we fought for the Family, forfamily, period.
Terri approaches, a grin on her face. “How may I serve the lady?” she says, then leans down and whispers, “I’m so happy for you. You both look over the moon to be together.”
I touch her hand. “We are, but don’t think I’m all high and mighty now just because I’m on this side of the table. I’ll always be a waitress at heart.”
“No, girl,” Terri says confidently, picking up a plate. “You’ve always been destined for greater things. Don’t think I haven’t heard you singing when you think nobody’s listening. Maybe you don’t even know you’re doing it, but I know you’re going places.”
I smile and touch her arm.You’re a mafia queen now,Elio texts me from the bar.Don’t feel guilty about that.
How can you read me from all the way over there, hmm?
He smirks.I can read you just through texting. Don’t be so shocked, beautiful.
“Look at you two,” Alessia says, a big smile on her face. “Like two excited little doves.”
“Mom, did you just call Elio adove?” Luca says, chuckling.
She beams. “I called himlittle,too. That’s the thing about motherhood, Luca. No matter how old your children get, they’re always little. They’re always tiny. They always need you.”
Tears press against my eyes, trying to fall. She’s taken my broodiness to another level. Every time Elio and I make love, I lie there with my hand on my belly, wondering, hoping.
“She’s right, though.” Luca grins over. I know what he did for his brother. I hope when Elio and I have children, they’re as close as he and Luca. “You two are almost making me think love is possible. That’s a psychopathic achievement right there.”
His date laughs, but I can see there’s no real love between them. Or maybe that’s judgmental of me. It’s not like every relationship can start with the thunderbolt of need that began ours. It’s not like I can expect everybody else to know instantly when they see their man.
Suddenly, everybody is looking at me like they’re expecting something. My phone vibrates in my pocket. Across the restaurant—what the hell—Elio is on one knee, looking at me. The whole restaurant has gone quiet.
“Check your phone,” Alessia whispers, tears in her eyes.
I take it out and go to my texts. There’s a message from Elio.Will you marry me?
I spring out of the chair. I’ve thrown my phone by accident. “Yes,” I cry, no embarrassment at all. It’s like everybody else has disappeared. My man is rushing across the restaurant.
