Page 73 of Mafia Darling

“A misdirection,” Marco said, rubbing his eyes. “Cristo.”

“That brutto figlio di puttana bastardo,” Fausto swore, then returned his attention to his cousin. “Tomorrow morning, I want you and Giulio in my office first thing. We need to strategize.”

“Can I come, too?” I nuzzled into his throat. “Seeing as how I was so helpful tonight?”

“No. I want you sleeping and resting.”

“But—”

“That’s enough.” He patted my hip. “Go and say goodbye to your sisters. They depart now for the airport.”

My heart sank as he helped me to my feet. “Okay.”

I started to leave, but his warm fingers wrapped around my wrist, stopping me. He brought my wrist to his mouth and kissed the inside of it, sending goosebumps up my arm. “After you finish, I get you all to myself.”

“Okay,” I repeated, but breathier this time. I don’t know how he managed to turn me on with the simplest touch.

He let me go and I went toward the twins, who stood near the wine barrels, drinking. True to form, Gia flirted with every seemingly unattached male tonight, while Emma watched from arm’s length.

“Is it time?” Emma asked quietly when she saw me approach.

I nodded. “I’m going to miss you both so much.”

Surprisingly, Gia hugged me first. She wasn’t usually the demonstrative one. “Bye, sis. I’m going to miss you, too.”

“Stay out of trouble, Gigi, and keep up with your birth control shots,” I said with a laugh, even though tears had started leaking from my eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. I hope this isn’t the last time we see you.”

My chest felt hollow and more tears slipped free from my lids. “Of course it won’t be. We’ll figure it out.”

Finally, I let her go and turned to my other sister. “Sweet Emma,” I said and wrapped my arms around her. She held on tight, already crying, as well. “I love you. And you should definitely stay out of trouble, too.”

“I will,” she whispered.

I pulled back and held onto their hands. “Remember what I said about Papà and college. He might say you can go for four years but he could be lying. So, make the most of that first semester away at school.”

Benito came over to hover behind us, his face conveying his unhappiness in being tasked with this errand.

My sisters and I fell into a big group hug with more tears and whispers of keeping in touch. I made them promise to text me the minute they landed in Toronto. Then Benito cleared his throat and we were forced to let go. A sob tore at my throat as they turned away.

Watching Emma and Gia walk out of the winery was one of the worst moments of my life. It felt like a part of me was going with them, like maybe the old Frankie, the version of me who’d hoped for a normal life filled with college, drinking and random boys. None of that would happen now. I was about to start a new chapter as a wife and mother. A mafia queen.

Arms wrapped around my waist and I felt Fausto’s strong presence behind me, easing some of the rawness in my heart. He kissed the crown of my head. I sighed and leaned into him, wiping away tears. I’m sure I looked like a mess.

“They will be fine,” he said softly. “Te lo prometto.”

Turning, I slid my arms around his neck and held on. My makeup was probably running and ruining his shirt, but that was too bad. I was allowed to cry right now.

When I quieted he tilted my chin up. His eyes were gentle and adoring, the kind of look he saved just for me. “Are you ready for your surprise, mia bella moglie?”

My toes curled inside the shoes I’d put on for the dinner reception, and I accepted the handkerchief he handed me. Real cotton, because my man was fancy. “I can’t wait.” I wiped my face and tried to clean up as best I could.

“Va bene. Come.” He turned to the guests and spoke in Italian too quickly for me to translate. Whatever he said made everyone laugh and break out into applause. “Auguri!” everyone shouted, offering their best wishes, as he led me to the door.

“What did you say?”

“I said the time has come for me to claim my bride, and the only blood on the sheets would be my own if I did not satisfy you properly.”

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