Page 38 of Mafia Captor

Grandma Sullivan’s wedding ring stares back at me. Weighing in at three carats, the rare blue diamond has started many tall tales in our family. Some claimed it once belonged to Blackbeard, the pirate. Others were convinced it was found by divers in the wreckage of the Titanic. One family member vowed that a leprechaun had stowed away with it on a New England-bound ship when the Sullivans first settled in Boston.

But one story stays consistent. This diamond is meant for the oldest son in the family when he proposes to his bride.

Which would be me.

“Why on earth do you have this with you?” I say.

She looks at me like it’s a stupid question. “I always carry it with me. Ever since she-who-shall-not-be-named started coming around.”

No fucking way. “You’ve been carrying this ring with you for five years?”

“Yup.” She gives a proud nod.

Lopsy looks at me.See, I told you she was extra.I give the dog a nod of agreement.

“You know I don’t even date,” I say. “What do I need with this?”

Her face is flushed with excitement. Or maybe from the additional pour of champagne she snuck when she thought I was paying attention to the dog.

She says, “I saw how you looked at her tonight.”

“Ashe? She told you. She’s working for me.” A prickly, strange feeling crawls up the back of my neck. Like someone’s walking over my damn grave. What’s she talking about? There’s nothing between me and Ashe.

Sure, there’s sexual tension, but nothing real, or lasting.

Right?

“Boston Sullivan Bachman.” Her hands go to her hips. So, it’s not just Ashe who does that? All women fall into this stance when they mean business. “You know us mothers have eyes in the back of our heads. I know about your secret little room, and I know you traded your Lambo to Sailor for one night with that girl.”

“What?” My stomach turns, thinking of Ma spying on me. “How do you know all that?”

“A mother’s instinct. And security cameras.”

“Damn, thought I’d turned those off,” I say.

“It was pretty apparent what happened when I watched the video from that night. Sailor was peeling out of the driveway in the Lambo and not five minutes later, you and Ashe were seen on the hall camera, disappearing into your room. When you came out, you were both straightening your clothes—”

“Ma. Enough.”

“You’re in love. You know it. I know it. And soon, Miss Ashely’s going to know it.” She nods toward the ring. “And if you’re thinking of asking for my blessing, you have it. Even if she is a little on the short side, she’s a lovely girl. Hopefully the Sullivans’ height genes will come through.”

“Only you would give me an engagement ring and worry about the height of my children the second time you’ve met a woman.” I close the lid, slipping the ring in my pocket. Just to get her off my case. I’m going to put it in the top drawer of my dresser and forget about it.

Her eyes narrow on me. “And don’t just put that ring in your top drawer and forget about it. I know what I see when I see it. Don’t let this girl pass you by. She’s a Virgo, for heaven’s sake. Logical, practical, a perfectionist. That’s why she makes such a good manager. Virgo’s the most complementary match for a bull-headed Taurus like you.”

She leaves me to ponder her words, the ring heavy in my pocket.

ChapterTwelve

Ashely

“Seriously, Ashely,”Tess sighs into the phone. “I’m sooo sorry it’s taken me this long to call and explain. You’ve been captured there how long now?”

“Umm…” I think back to when I first arrived. “Maybe two months now?”

“Oh, God! Has it really been that long? How terrible of me. I should have called right away but, yes, of course I wanted the tickets to the dog show—there’s this new breed, a butterfly Pomeranian I just had to lay my eyes on—but you know I would never in a million years trade you for tickets!”

“What happened then, Tess? I went into work that Monday and there was a giant blocking your office door—”

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