Page 20 of The Mafia's Bride
“In my defense.” She holds up a finger. The bright pink nail is chipped. “I was pretty wasted. I got home, somehow, and then passed out. I didn’t wake up until like the next night.”
I glare dryly. This is just typical.
“Anyway…” She taps the metal table in thought, ignoring my frown. “You’re alive, that’s nice. Also, great touch on the billboard.” I smirk at her dangerous wink.
It was childish, but after my conversation with the mystery man, I realized what I was headed for. No more freedom, no more nights out. No matter what his cousin said, that I’d be a leader, a partner in the family, I knew what was coming. He’d want a traditional wife.
I am not that wife. I won’t be. And I wanted him to know that in advance.
So in true Sloane uncontrollable fashion, I decided to take out abillboard on the interstate. Perfect view for incoming drivers, tourists, and if you had the right spot in the city, you could see it from your window.
Like from the family mansion that Nico De Luca lived in. With his nephew, Alessio.
A nephew who probably woke up the day after my brief, irritating interlude with his man, coffee in hand and looked out across the city he thought he owned and saw my message to him.
‘Alessio De Luca, thanks for the crabs. I prefer the ones from the sea, though.’
Maeve still hasn’t said anything to me about it. I’m practically humming with energy waiting for her backlash. If she’s like Pops, there will be a fight waiting for me any day now.
Once Alessio sees it, I’m sure he’ll be too embarrassed to go through with the wedding. What man wants his future bride spewing secrets of sexually transmitted diseases and therefore emasculating him? What man wants a wife bold enough to plaster it on a billboard?
No mobster would tolerate it.
Alessio will call off the wedding, I just know it. Then, Maeve won’t be able to claim I didn’t follow her decree. I’ll still have my family, my home, and I won’t be forced out into some creep’s bed, worried he’ll kill me in the middle of the night.
I’ll be free.
“I’m thinking we go out tonight and paint the town red. Maybe I repay the favor in the club.” Her bright blue eyes darken at the thought.
I’m not high nor warm enough to even flirt. I just don’t have it in me.
“Can’t. I’m needed at home.” I bring the cup to my mouth. “Maeve set up a little meet and greet for my future husband and his family. An engagement dinner.” I roll my eyes at the irony. “I’m expected to be there.”
Is it childish to hope Alessio doesn’t show to the dinner, too enraged at the billboard and wanting to annul the contract? Maybe.But it’s a hope I’m holding on to with two hands and a big fucking wish.
“Ew.” She wrinkles her nose. “An engagement dinner, like you see on all those old money TV shows? Next, they’ll have you wearing mink cowls, pushing a baby stroller, pregnant with your second before the end of your third year of marriage.”
Danica has made it abundantly clear she doesn’t want children and marriage in her future. And until recently, I didn’t think I did either.
I can’t deny the idea of being a mom, a better mom that what I ever had, is something I’d like to see. Not now. But someday.
Preferably when I’m free of this marriage contract.
“It’s what they wanted.” I can’t help the shrug, fighting against a breeze. “Maeve is in charge, and as long as I’m an O’Brien, I have to follow her rule.”
“Actually, you don’t,” she says, draining her cup. “You could be like Briar and just take off.”
I shake my head, already not listening. “No, that’s different. Briar left without getting his decree. Pops never cut him off, because if he did, everyone would know he couldn’t handle his children.” Much like he always tried to wrangle me in private, using his fists to deter my wild ways. “Maeve has given me a choice. If I don’t take it, I’m out. No communication, no money, nothing.”
I can’t imagine how Briar has handled being on his own for so long, alone.
“Is that such a bad thing?”
Narrowing my eyes, I try not to let her callousness get to me. Danica is estranged from her parents since we graduated high school; they didn’t approve of her sexuality and decided it was easier if they lived apart. They still send her money to stay in the states, so she’s cared for, but they rarely talk.
“My family might be shit, but they’re still mine.” We didn’t have the normal upbringing that most kids got, but I still remember the good times.
Collins and I staying up late, sneaking treats from the pantry afterdinner. Briar and I climbing through the woods behind the house, pretending we were on an adventure.
