Page 72 of Mafia Darling

“What’s inside each little box?”

“Confetti. Five sugared almonds.”

“Is this another luck thing?”

“Sì, they symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity for the newlyweds.”

She gestured to her belly. “I think you have the fertility one covered, baby daddy.”

I leaned in and kissed her. “We still have three more of those to come.”

She rolled her eyes, though I was not fooled. I could see the way her eyes sparkled at the idea.

Ready to get this dinner over with, I stood up to welcome our guests. I very much wished to get my wife alone.

* * *

Francesca

I was a married woman.

Even though I was wearing a wedding dress, it seemed surreal. Married. To Fausto Ravazzani.

Holy shit.

I was a mafia wife, a role I’d sworn to avoid. As I snuck a glance at my handsome husband, I couldn’t regret it. I would spend the rest of my life at his side, in his bed, hearing that sexy growl and playing our dirty games together. Yes, please.

As I passed out the favors to the small number of dinner guests, they all kept shoving money at me. I knew it was an Italian custom, but I wasn’t prepared for this much. The mayor gave me ten thousand Euros, for fuck’s sake. Giulio said more money and gifts would arrive in the coming weeks, once news of Fausto’s marriage spread around the globe.

I guess that’s what happened when one married a badass international criminal.

When I finished with the favors I walked back to my chair, which was now occupied by Marco. Instead of being deterred, I slipped onto my husband’s lap and draped my arms around his neck. He smelled so good and felt even better. Fausto stroked my thigh and held me close, while he and Marco spoke quietly to one another. I was in no hurry to move.

I’d spent the entire day and most of the evening with my sisters. Though I was happy to have them here, their visit was bittersweet and way too short. Emma and Gia were sad, as well, but they had to get back to their lives in Toronto.

I would miss them, there was no doubt about that. I thought back to when I wanted nothing more than to leave Italy and return home, but I didn’t feel that way anymore. I was Team Ravazzani now. My loyalties were with Fausto and his ’ndrina. His family and our children. Someday, I’d see my sisters again. We would find a way to reconnect.

“He’s weak but still holding out on us. We should track the money,” Marco was saying. “That thirty million went somewhere.”

Were they talking about Enzo?

“His men will be too smart to spend it now,” Fausto said. “Besides, when he signs everything over to me, it will no longer matter.”

Wait, they were discussing Enzo. Holy shit, did this mean he stole thirty million dollars from Fausto?

What was it Mariella had said? Besides, Fausto will soon lose everything. My Enzo is very clever with computers and he has eyes and ears everywhere.

Why hadn’t I remembered that before?

I straightened, angling so I could see both of their faces, though I kept my voice low. “When I was with Mariella, she told me you would soon lose everything and that her man has eyes and ears everywhere.”

My husband’s fingers tightened on my body as he exchanged a dark glance with Marco. “Anything else you can remember?” he asked. “Any mention of who might be helping him?”

I searched my memories. So much of that time had been spent in a panic, with a dash of morning sickness to boot. Staying alive and keeping my shit together had taken most of my energy.

This is why you are the perfect distraction.

Yes, it made sense. I hadn’t understood Enzo’s words at the time, but he’d obviously taken me to distract Fausto. When I repeated the words to my husband, he scowled.

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