Page 14 of Rosetti Family New York
“Welcome to our family,” she says. She glides away before I can answer.
“Welcome?” The voice behind me is rasping, old and impatient. A small woman with wild white curls and a string of pearls as bright as her lipstick appears at my side. “They ain’t even kissed her properly yet!” This must be a grandmother.
“Let’s fix that,” Leonardo says, appearing at my side. He pulls me close, a hand firm at my waist. The kiss is longer this time, claiming me in front of everyone.
The old woman laughs, a dirty-sweet cackle. “There. Now she’s really one of us!”
“Eleanor, this is Nanna Antonella,” Carmela explains, trying not to giggle. “We just call her Nanna Toni.”
“I call her a pain in my ass,” says a deep voice behind us. I turn to see an older man with white hair and sharp green eyes. I recognize him immediately—Salvatore Rosetti. The king of the Rosetti empire. He looks at me, a lion studying his new territory. “Welcome to the family, ragazza.”
I swallow, nodding. “Thank you.”
His eyes shift to father. “Your man looks uneasy.”
“Wouldn’t you be, in his shoes?”
He chuckles, dark and knowing. “Don’t worry. We don’t bite.”
Another voice, smooth and teasing, cuts in. “Speak for yourself.” A young man with auburn hair and a dimpled smirk appears, flipping a silver coin. I recognize him from the fighting ring. “Matteo Rosetti,” he says, extending a hand. “Leo’s not the only charmer in the family.”
“The only one marrying a Price, though,” says a fourth voice, quieter and sharper. Matteo’s twin, Emilio, appears at his side. His eyes are gray and striking. “For now.”
“I could be next. My charms are irresistible.” Matteo winks. “How did we get so lucky as to get you, Eleanor?”
“I was wondering the same thing,” I say dryly.
“See, Matteo?” Rafe’s voice is blunt. “She fits right in.”
A tall, rugged man stands beside Leonardo. Rafe, the second oldest. His nose looks like it’s been broken a few too many times, and his dark hair is cropped close. He doesn’t bother shaking hands.
Emilio raises an eyebrow. “Why’d you go with the full mass? Don’t usually see that at an auction.”
I stare at him, anger simmering beneath my veneer. Why is this man, this stranger, saying I’ve been bought at auction? I mean, it’s true, but unpleasant to think about on my damn wedding day.
Salvatore grins. “I hear she put up a fight.”
“Did she?” Emilio asks.
“Like a wildcat,” Leonardo says, eyes locked on mine. “But we tamed her.”
I can’t tell if they’re joking. I hope they’re joking. Their laughter rings through the church.
I pull away from the crowd, trying to find some air. I have to get to Juliet before this day swallows me whole. She stands in the shadows, an outsider, a scared little ghost in a designer dress. I go to her, and for a second, she clings to me like she’ll never let go.
“It will be okay,” I say, struggling to sound sure. “I’ll be fine. So will you.” She doesn’t answer. “It’s not goodbye,” I insist. “You know that, right?”
“I know,” she says.
I pull away, heart heavy, and go to father.
“We’re finished here,” he says, cool and detached. “You’re a Rosetti now.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“Remember why you did this.”
“For you, you mean?”
