Page 27 of The Runaway Bride

To my utter surprise, the room as a whole takes a knee andElli flushes at the sight. I notice one at the back of the room who is scowlingat Tia, and I give a side-eye to Bruno, who hasn’t missed the fact.

Before anyone can do anything, one of the soldiers noticesand lunges for him, bringing him to his knees, holding his head back rightbefore he looks at Elli with a question in his eye. Turning to look at Elli asI want to see her reaction, I’m more than surprised when she points to herforehead and fires an imaginary weapon.

The soldier shoots the one he’s holding in the head, dropsthe body, then takes his knee, showing everyone in the room his respect for me,but more importantly, my wife.

Elli has just secured her place as the Don’s wife, showingshe will be ruthless if necessary. Alex, who is standing in front of us, is lookingproudly at his sister, and it has to feel good for Elli to see that. A weakwife of a Don is a liability, and now I know that isn’t going to be the casefor me.

Elli

I know I have to be strong, but sentencing someone to death isn’t easy. I’m sureit’s going to prey on my mind for a long time. If I’m going to rule alongsideNico, which is what he intends, then I have to remain strong, and capable ofmaking hard decisions.

Tia has called me several times and shown her support. Sheisn’t a meek person with the background she has had. Growing up for her wasmore than difficult. But she is the best sister I could have had, even thoughwe are not blood.

Today we are holding an afternoon luncheon. This is going tobe fun. Well, maybe not, depending on what happens with the women that we aregoing to be meeting and entertaining. Capos and made men’s wives, girlfriends,and mistresses, all wanting to have a piece of one another. Yeah, maybe notfun!

“You ready, Elli?” Tia asks.

Picking up my purse I turn to speak to Tia and come to asudden stop, because is this woman my Tia? “Oh. My. Goodness. You lookstunning, Tia.”

“Well, this woman has been coming to the house. Bruno, ofcourse, sent her. She has filled up a walk-in closet to the brim, mind you,with clothing of every kind you can imagine. But Elli, the lingerie! Well, I’veso many lacy bits you’ve no idea. Some are so tiny they are not worth wearing,”Tia giggles, and as she looks at me she has a flush on her cheeks.

I grab her hand and drag her to my closet. We both laugh atthe scandalous amount of clothing I have inside. Opening the dresser drawer, Ipick up a tiny piece of lace which you can’t really call panties, and raise aneyebrow at Tia, who slaps a hand over her mouth as she laughs.

“Come on, let’s go get this show on the road.” I grasp Tia’shand once more and drag her out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and out thefront door to the waiting Escalade.

Chapter 19

Elli

As Tia and I walk into the largeentertainment room of the hotel where I have booked the luncheon with thewomen. I glance at the soldiers that are with us, Vin and Ollie. They are mypersonal guards and it is going to feel odd being followed everywhere. Myfather never gave me any form of security, which I know Alex complained aboutmany times.

“Vin, watch for anytroublemakers. Point them out to me, but be subtle. Ollie, you stay near thedoor and don’t allow anyone to leave until I say it’s okay to do so.”

“Yes, Mrs. Vincholetti.” Vinwalks to the back of the room and seems to melt into the wallpaper, while Olliestays near the door making sure everyone will notice he is there.

Stepping past tables to the largeround table at the front of the room, I stand a moment, looking around at allthe women. Turning to Tia, I give her a reassuring smile before taking a seat.

The table seats twelve, so thereare ten women here I do not know. “Good afternoon, ladies. Would you like tointroduce yourselves? Make sure you tell me which made man you are with.”

The first lady sitting next toTia speaks, “I’m Gia. I am with Philip Underwood. Our status is engaged to bemarried in the fall.”

“Oh, that’s nice, Gia. Pleasemake sure I get an invitation. I love weddings.” I give a genuine smile andlook at the woman sitting next to her.

“My name is Hazel, and I’mmarried to Gregor Colombo. We have twin girls who are nearing their fourthbirthday.”

This is how it goes around thetable until I have all the names and their status. Only one I have a problemwith, that’s Francesca Moretti. She’s with a low-level soldier but seems tothink she can climb the Mafia ladder. A mistress, and I’ll be speaking to Nicoabout this woman's soldier when I get back to the mansion.

Lily, who is sitting to the rightof Francesca, jumps to her feet and seeing the frosting on her skirt, I thinkshe has dropped something from her plate, until she screeches at Francesca,that is.

“You did that on purpose. Whatsort of disgusting person are you? Not only are you a mistress, a home-wreckingwhore, but you think it will earn you some sort of respect,” Lily is aboutready to cry, and I think it’s time to step in.

Looking up, I signal to Vin thatI need him at the table. He quickly makes his way to me and awaits myinstruction. “Contact Nico, and ask what he’d like me to do with a troublecauser. I’m sure you saw what happened, but get the footage and get hold of thesoldier that she belongs to.”

Nodding, Vin quickly walks away.In the meantime, I turn back to the table and Tia is helping Lily away from thetable and to the ladies' restroom to clean herself. “You stay in your seat,Francesca,” I state firmly.

I notice Vin speaking to Olliebefore he walks over to me, quietly relaying the message from Nico. “Mrs.Vincholetti, I have been ordered to stay at your side, but whatever you decideis perfectly fine with Mr. Vincholetti.”

Before I can decide what is besta man walks into the door and speaks to Ollie before walking over to me. Hedrops to a knee and murmurs my name.

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