Page 89 of Savage King

Antonio nods, taking his pen back, and without blinking, says, "That could be you."

Vito's jaw works as he looks heavenward, like in silent prayer.

"I need you to sign this, Mr. DeLuna." Henry pulls out another paper, and Antonio signs it. I glance over and my eyes grow wide when I see,Power of Attorney, written on it in bold letters.

"Antonio, what is this?"

"This is just in case something happens to me, passerotta, no worries." He assures me.

"No worries?" I nearly laugh.

"Easy, Scarlet," he cups my face and kisses me. "It will all be fine."

Fine?

"And this," Henry pulls out another.

"I need you to sign this, Mrs. DeLuna." Hearing him say my new name wells up a whole new flood of emotions. Mrs. DeLuna, I'm Mrs. DeLuna! I beam at Antonio. Then I look at the papers before me, "What is this?"

"It's only a formality, Scarlet. It puts certain assets in your name in case something happens to me. The feds won't be able totouch it. It'll ensure that you're taken care of even if I'm not there."

"I…" I'm lost for words.

"It's all good, passerotta, just standard nonsense."

I don't believe his assurances for even a second, and I know I've been raised better. But damn, I'm signing Mrs. Scarlet DeLuna on pages, and that will need some getting used to. And really, what the hell, I just committed my life to the mafia, so I don't see that signing any of these papers will put me in jail or get me killed, or whatever…

Henry hands me a black card. I look at Antonio, quizzically. "It's a credit card. No limits." He shrugs nonchalantly.

"Oh, okay." I pretend to be as nonchalant as he is, but his smirk tells me he sees right through my façade.

"What's going on here?" Gigi enters the office without knocking.

"Getting hitched," Antonio tells her, and I feel my face heat—way to break the news.

"Oh," Gigi squeals and rushes over to me, folding me into a tight embrace that makes it hard to breathe. "Sister!" she squeals some more, making my ears hurt.

Sister!

My heart hammers a little bit faster. I have always wanted to have a sister. I can't imagine anybody better than her. "Sister." I declare right back at her.

She lets go of me and punches Antonio in the kidney.

"Ouch, what was that for?"

"Congratulations?" Gigi glares at him.

"I don't think that's how you congratulate people," Antonio grumbles.

"That's how you congratulate asshole brothers who don't bother inviting their sister to their wedding or give her a chance to plan it." Gigi pouts, making me smile.

"Gigi." Antonio looks at her most sincerely.

"Yeah?" She still glares at him.

"Will you help us plan a wedding?"

"Of course," she beams, slinging her arms around his neck. "All you had to do was ask. When do you want to have the big day?" Antonio can't see it, but I do. The look on Vito's face. It’s filled with yearning, and my heart goes out to him and Gigi both. Whatever game Antonio is playing, he’d better put a stop to it soon, otherwise I will. This is just cruel.

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