Page 42 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
“Kitchen is that way.” I pointed and closed the door behind them.
“This house is crazy! I ain’t never seen nothing like it,” Sapphire complimented.
“You want a tour?” I suggested. “Dinner won’t be ready for a few more minutes.”
“For real?”
“Come on. I’ll show you where I kick it when I come over here.” I slung an arm across his shoulders and walked right past Emerald without another word.
I heard her footsteps behind us as she marched toward the kitchen ahead. I knew she was watching me, but I wasn’t about to engage with her right now. I was liable to go ham on her, and I couldn’t do that. Not here. Not in this house with my wife in one of these rooms, completely in the dark about what was really going on and why I grew more distant by the day.
Emerald
Ivo was cold. The distance was in his eyes, and that’s if he took the time to look at me. Rossi barely uttered a hello, but Jordan was more than excited to see us. She immediately poured herself a glass of white wine and led me outside onto the terrace. I’d been to Ivo’s house when I was younger, and it was just as enormous and elegant as I remembered. Cambrie nodded in greeting, but we didn’t engage in conversation. I don’t know how I would explain to Jordan how we knew each other, so me, Cam, and Six decided to play it cool.
The last couple of days, we’d all been texting back and forth, and Six suggested we meet up for brunch once a week. I was all for it, considering I only worked and sat around moping about Ivo. I couldn’t believe he was ignoring me the way that he was. It was very childish considering everything. I’d been reaching out for days, only for him to ignore me and leave me on read.
Knowing I would see him today was the only thing giving me hope. Sapphire had even been worried, and then there was Blaine. The day Ivo caught us, I was just vulnerable and emotional as hell. I had no idea that he was still there when I accepted Blaine’s comfort either. I admit, I was caught up in the moment. Now I could see that Ivo probably felt some type of wayconsidering everything he’d been doing for me and my brother. To him, I probably looked like I was using him.
“Hey, what’s on your mind?” Jordan’s voice broke into my thoughts as we sat in lounge chairs facing the open estate.
It was so big and peaceful out here. From where we sat, we were able to view the other four houses on the property, including the mansion she lived in with Ivo. Everything was so perfect and well trimmed, right out of aHome and Gardenmagazine.
“Huh? I’m fine.” I swung my head in her direction. “Just thinking about some stuff.”
“What kind of stuff? Feel free to get whatever it is off your chest,” Jordan encouraged. “It’d be nice to have someone to talk to. My own husband is going around acting like I’m a stranger to him,” she mumbled before she brought her wine glass to her lips and sipped the Pinot Noir.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. He’s just been real distant and working all the time. We’ve barely spent any time together. He swears he’s just busy and preoccupied with the business, but it feels like something else. He doesn’t even want to talk about the baby. It’s like he just shut down.”
Hearing that he was just as miserable as me kind of made me feel good. At least he wasn’t going around like shit was rosy. I peered into my glass of iced tea and took a breath. I missed him and needed to get on good terms again, or it was going to drive me crazy.
“Maybe it’s just everything stressing him out. Have you tried to talk to him?”
“I have, and it’s pointless. He’s stubborn and not at all interested in working through whatever it is. I’m just hoping this baby makes everything better for us. I know it’s stupid to rely onthat to fix my marriage, but I believe that it will bring us closer together.”
Sipping my tea, I swallowed slowly as the guilt ate me up from the inside out. Eventually, we were summoned inside with the rest of the family for dinner. I was more than ready to get this over with and get out of here. I had a few job interviews lined up this next week, plus my shift at Tap Inn, and I wanted to be ready for any and everything. Gathering around the table with Ivo and his family, it was obvious he was lit from his tight, glossy eyes. Rossi’s face was what I expected, pristine and showing very little emotion. A smaller table in the corner was set up for the kids, and Brick and Six came sailing into the dining room, arguing.
“Oh, so we gotta sit with the kids?” Brick looked around and saw that the adult table had been filled.
Rossi and Marcella were at the head. Ivo sat to his mother’s left with Jordan at his side, and Nadia, whom I had been introduced to as the mother of two of Staten’s children, sat beside her. I sat on the opposite side beside his grandmother with Cambrie and Staten to my right.
“You act like one,” Ivo grumbled, twirling his glass.
“You wanna go there tonight, bro?” Brick tested him.
“Brick, have a seat,” Rossi ordered, sighing.
Sucking his teeth, he marched over to the table with Six behind him and joined his nieces and nephews.
“Please remember that we have guests,” Rossi spoke up.
There was a moment to pray over the spread of lamb, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and homemade rolls. My mouth watered at the smell and sight of everything as dishes were passed around and everyone stacked their plates. It was more than enough to feed everyone and have thirds if anyone wanted them. Sapphire’s plate was so full you couldn’t even make out the China pattern anymore.
“So, Emerald, tell us what’s going on with you. Aside from preparing to carry Ivo and Jordan’s baby,” Mrs. Marek voiced.
“Not a whole lot to tell. I’m looking for a new job. Right now, I’m still waitressing.”
