Page 11 of Trick or Threat
The injustice of her having to give up her space just because he expects us to live together is unforgivable.
“Calm down, girl. It’s an improvement. Trust, I am not mad at all. Hell, thank you, cause it’s amazing. Just wait and see, okay?” I’m once again being dragged, and this time I do stumble.
“Breaking my neck is a funny way to show me your gratitude!” Val just laughs as we finally make it to the top floor, and she stops me by my shoulders so I don’t face-plant into the door she’s standing in front of.
“This is a college dorm room dream. Private floor and rooftop garden. Take a deep breath cause you’re about to be wowed.” She pushes the door open dramatically, and I look in and gasp.
“How?” I step into a gorgeously designed suite with luxurious accents everywhere.
I know Alfie keeps all types of people employed so that he can call them at a whim, but this all seems deliberate. No way was it done in a little more than twenty-four hours. Especially since he just told me last night, Carmine wasn’t pushing for a short engagement.
He planned this. Which means he knew I’d say no.
My eyes fill with tears at the thought that he was ready to make my dreams come true, even though I was actively undermining his progress.
It’s what a real parent would do.
Chapter
Seven
We’re lyingaround eating pizza in our pajamas as I go over my new schedule while Val paints my toenails.
It’s so fucking normal I can help but grin.
She had spent all afternoon helping me unpack and reorganize the suite to our needs. A few of the other girls stopped by to thank me for the upgrades and to ask who the cute guys hanging around were, and I rolled my eyes cause they didn’t have a chance in hell with my guards.
They were all married and fiercely loyal to their wives.
“Whoever designed this suite for us needs a raise,” I commented as I looked around once again.
The interior designer had gone all out. It was almost a replica of my room back home, but with an adult woman’s sufficiency versus the childlike feel I left behind at the mansion.
The furniture was mostly white with blush pink and sage green accents. It was soft, comfortable, and heavy on the pillows. The tables were light wood and glass. The carpet was out of this world, featuring a floral pattern that perfectly matched the color scheme, and the bookshelves were filled with my favorites, plants, and candles.
It was the bedrooms and the private bathroom I was most grateful for. I was not used to sharing, and when I saw a maid schedule posted on the walk-in closet wall, I grinned.
Ok, so Alfie spoils me.
“He really does love me.” I sigh, feeling horrible about the way I’ve treated him lately.
“And he knows you love him, too, so stop thinking whatever it is running through that head of yours. Instead, start thinking about your customer for Saturday night. It’ll be here before you know it, and I don’t want you to get so distracted and lose time this week. I will not take any excuses from you.” She blows on my pinkie toe as she finishes up painting my toes a deep red color.
“Yes, Mom,” I stick out my tongue at her.
“Don’t you sass me, young lady. I mean to get you drunk and properly fucked at that party. So help me out by picking our something sexy to wear.” I groan as she stands and starts dancing to no music, grinding on the edge of the couch.
“Gross! Can you stop? They are new!” I can’t help but laugh at her antics.
“Loosen up! You’re free to be you! I don’t think you’ve realized how much of a gift Uncle Al has given you. I’ve been left alone mostly but the family, but I’ve seen the responsibility you’ve been carrying, and I gotta say, you are about to be living your best life!” Well, when you put it that way, I guess she’s right.
“It’s scary. I only know the mafia lifestyle. What am I going to do now that I’ve been let off the leash I grew up on?” She knows exactly what I mean.
“Act like a bitch in heat.” She grins and wags her eyebrows at me.
“Be serious, Val.” I can’t help my chuckle, though, cause it’s the one thing I’ve been expected to do.
Guard my virtue for my husband. Keep myself clean and pure so that I can be sold or bartered off for money and power. It wasalways a very sobering idea knowing what would happen to me once I was married off.
