Page 171 of Mafia and Gold Digger

“Surprise!”

A throng of voices rings out. And I startle out of my skin as a huge crowd of people rush out from the backroom and fill the space all around me. My eyes widen as I take in all the people. Jacquetta, Nicki, Milena, Jaspar, Giulietta, Christian, Leoluca, Quin, Christian's mom, my friends from the casino, and so many others. Their faces are glowing with excitement, and they have champagne flutes clutched in their hands.

I spin to Saint, my lips parting in shock. “What…what is this?”

He grins, his hands settling on my shoulders. “It’s a party to celebrate your new boutique.”

My breath catches. The words echo in my mind, but they don’t quite make sense. “Myboutique?” I whisper.

He nods. “Yeah, yours.”

The world tilts slightly as the meaning of his words sinks in. My heart pounds against my ribs. “I know you bought the boutique so the charges would be dropped, but now you’re giving it to me?”

He shrugs. “I know how much you love clothes. So, yeah.”

Tears sting my eyes. I glance around, my vision blurring as I take in the familiar faces of everyone I love, standing here, celebrating my new boutique. The store shimmers around me, and for a moment, I feel like I’m in a dream. “You…you did this?” My voice wavers. “All of this?”

Saint chuckles softly. “Of course. You deserve this, Em. You deserve to have everything you’ve ever wanted.”

I shake my head, overwhelmed by the sheer generosity of the man standing before me.

Jacquetta steps forward. “He’s been working on this for you. We all have. We wanted to make sure it was perfect for you.” The kids are at her side, babbling as they tell me how they had to keep it a secret and how they hope I like it.

Emotion swells in my throat. “I…I don’t know what to say.”

Saint smiles, his fingers tightening around mine. “Then don’t say anything. Just enjoy it. Seeing that gorgeous smile of yours is enough for me…because it never fails to brighten my whole life.”

A giggle escapes me, and before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around him, burying my face into his shoulder.

He holds me tightly, his warmth steadying me as I try to process what’s happening.

When I finally pull back, I wipe at my damp cheeks and glance around. “So, let me get this straight…” I inhale a shaky breath. “This boutique belongs to me? I can design, stock, sell whatever I want?”

“Exactly,” Saint confirms.

A delighted squeal erupts from Nicki as she rushes forward, hugging me tightly. “Oh my God, Em! You’re going to have the most amazing boutique ever!”

In the corner of my eye, I see someone arriving late. And turning, I’m stunned to see that it’s Ria.

She comes straight up to me and air-kisses me. “Congratulations, Emerald! Doesn’t this place look amazing? I’m so pleased for you!”

I glare at her. “What on earth are you doing here, Ria?”

“I heard everyone talking about this event, and I decided to help you celebrate,” she trills. “I’m sure my invite just got lost in the mail or something.”

Jacquetta comes up behind us. “No, Ria, you just weren’t invited.”

Her jaw drops in disbelief. “But this party is the biggest event of the month! And I didn’t want to miss out?—”

“You need to leave, Ria,” I tell her. “Immediately.”

“Wait! What? You can’t mean that. You’re not serious, surely?”

I stand up tall and look her in the eye. “I’m deadly serious.”

Her voice becomes shrill. “But what will people think if they see me beingthrown out?”

My gaze widens. “Have you already forgotten about when you called me a slut at my own wedding? And all the times you called me fat?”

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