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“Are you sure?”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say as I give her a quick kiss.
Not five minutes later, Lucero arrives without her husband.
“He doesn’t do well with crowds.” She gives me a tight smile. “But he sends his regards.”
Although I find that a little odd, I let it slide as I direct her to where Noelle and the others are.
More people continue to come—Enzo, his wife and their children as well as Catalina and her children.
“I’m glad you’ve decided to join us,” I tell her, kissing both her cheeks.
“I think the kids needed a change of scenery,” she mentions with half a smile. “And we’re all looking forward to meeting Malia.”
Marcello is still in jail, and things don’t look too good. Unless the evidence they have against him mysteriously disappears, he’s looking at a sentence.
“Gianna!” I open my arms to hug her as she comes inside. “I’m so happy you decided to come.”
“How could I not come when I heard the news? I’m so happy for you, Raf. You have no idea how much.”
“You’ll be surprised when you see her,” I whisper. “She definitely inherited the looks from our side of the family,” I joke.
“Now you’re making me even more curious.” She smiles.
Behind her is her husband, Bass. They decided not to bring their children, since they don’t want to expose them to the famiglia, which I totally understand and respect.
“Word of warning. Cisco is here, too. Please don’t resort to violence,” I plead with Bass.
He purses his lips.
“He brought me back with my sunshine. I guess he can get a pass,” he mumbles.
Gianna shakes her head with a smile.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep him in check.” She winks.
As they go inside, I realize I should have warned Gianna that Enzo and his wife are here, too. Alas, it’s been years. I doubt anyone’s still holding grudges.
Carlos, Thomas and Anita arrive on their trail. I can’t help but notice that Panchito isn’t present, but I guess it would have been awkward after what happened.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” Carlos shakes my hand.
But as they go inside, I vaguely remember that he used to have some issues with Bianca and Adrian. Alas, it’s good they’re not coming since they’re out of town.
I breathe in relief at that. Maybe we should have thought our guest list a little more thoroughly. The last thing we need is for a fight to break out when this is supposed to be my daughter’s birthday.
A quick glance at my watch and I note that it’s past the time I told everyone to come by. And there are only a few people that haven’t arrived yet.
“Of course you’d be late,” I mumble under my breath when I spot Vlad. By his side is Sisi, with Venezia trailing a few feet behind.
“We had some… issues,” he mentions with a glint in his eye, though the corners of his mouth are tipped up in a hidden smile.
Sisi blushes and I roll my eyes, already suspecting what might have held them up.
I shake my head at them, simply telling them to follow me inside.
