Page 47 of The Diávolos: Part Two
When I open it, I’m greeted by my best friends who charge in like a pack of wolves.
“This better be fucking good, Angie. I was about to get laid,” Daniel complains, throwing himself onto the couch.
I roll my eyes. Of course he was about to have sex. When is he not?
Nikki shoves his shoulder as she sits next to him. “Stop being so inappropriate. Our friend needs us.”
“Yeah! Your message was so cryptic. Is everything okay?” Amanda calls out while getting herself a drink from the kitchen.
Just a few moments ago, my apartment was quiet, almost creepingly so; my friends have been here for a total of one minute, and it’s chaos.
“God, I’ll miss this,” I rush out.
The girls gasp and say, “What?” in unison.
Danny’s face falls. “Not again.”
My nose scrunches as I get ready to tell them my news.
“Evan and I are getting married,” I blurt out in a breath. “I’m leaving for Cebrene tomorrow.”
I’ll never forget the looks of shock on their faces.
“Hold on. How the fuck did you go from avoiding Evander togetting engaged?” Nikki exclaims, stunned.
Daniel laughs out loud. “Oh shit. This was definitely worth not getting laid.”
Amanda just stands there in silence.
“It’s a long story, but we made a deal,” I say with a grimace.
“What kind of deal?” Amanda asks slowly.
“We’re getting married to help each other.” I recount what happened in the past few days and the plan to get back into my father’s good graces. They listen in shocked silence as I finish. “I’ll get answers about my mother, and Evan will get the territory he so very much wants to control,” I say, ignoring the ounce of bitterness in my voice.
“But Ang, remember how torn up you were when you got back last year? Are you even healed enough to embark on amarriagewith him?” Nicole asks me.
I hesitate, because in all honesty, I’m not sure if I’m healed enough to go through with this—and survive it. Only time will tell.
“I think I can manage,” I reply with little to no confidence.
Daniel stands up and approaches me, putting an arm around my shoulder. “Baby girl, you don’t have to do this, you know? I’m sure there’s another way.”
“Is there, Danny? I’ve been trying to get answers about mymamafor a year and have barely even scratched the surface. At least if I’m back in Cebrene, I’ll be closer to the source.”
“Your father?” Amanda asks.
I nod my head, and Daniel squeezes me against him. “Do you think he’ll believe that you genuinely want to be back in the mob?”
“I don’t know, but it’s worth a try.”
“Should we come with you?” Nicole asks.
“No. I’ll be fine. Aria and Gianis will be there.”
“You’ll come back and visit us though, right?” Danny asks, still holding me in his arms.
“Is that even a question? And you’re all coming to the wedding. I won’t be able to walk down the aisle without you.” My chest tightens at the mere thought.
