Page 5 of Bought By the Mafia

“A couple of weeks in Tuscany,” I responded.

“And you didn’t think to invite us! Simona!”

“Please don’t blame her. I insisted on the whole affair, on being intimate and close family only for security.”

Judy understood my meaning and leaned back in her chair. “Of course.”

“But my nuptials are not why I’m here. Well, it’s connected.” I took Simona’s hand in my lap. “Simona and I had both planned on Simona taking some time off while she got to fixing up our new home. My place right now screams man and would do with some redecorating, and Simona wanted to do it full time.”

“Aww,” Judy said.

“Whatever my wife wants, my wife gets. It can look like a hello kitty doll threw up in there and it would still be fine as long as she likes it. But before we did all that, I wanted to take her on a honeymoon first. The Maldives maybe, but we haven’t decided. The romance was a bit of a whirlwind and the wedding was quick, but I really want to do the honeymoon justice.”

“Well, of course. Again, why didn’t you tell me? You’ve been working hard girl, you deserve a break.”

A tight smile spread across her face. “I know, but with Paris and everything, I couldn’t just leave.”

Judy waved her off. “Please. We will manage here. They say the early days of marriage are the best days. Trust me, you don’t want to spend most of them at work.”

“That’s exactly what I told her.” Simona squeezed my hand.

“And if you want to take an indefinite leave, you can,” Judy said. This was going better than I could hope for. “Your job will be there whenever you come back.”

“But the scheduled shoots.”

“Fleur will take care of that.”

“And the dresses.”

“We can always find a replacement,” Judy said. “None better than you, but like your handsome piece of hunk husband said, you deserve a nice break.”

“Starting now even.”

Judy laughed. “Starting now!”

Simona squeezed my hand so tight; I thought a finger would pop off. But it didn’t matter. I had won this round. Judy made a few calls and a few minutes later, we were at the elevator where she was giving us well wishes and bidding both of us goodbye. She even promised to send Simona’s stuff to the apartment.

When the doors closed, I felt a sharp sting on my cheek. “You bastard,” Simona said after slapping me.

“What? I got you out of a job from a failing company in a dying industry. You should thank me, really.”

“That was my livelihood.”

“Not since you married me. You have an allowance.”

“My career will be ruined.”

“She said your job will be there whenever you decide to return.”

“You think you have an answer for everything, don’t you?”

“I don’t have the answer to why you keep taunting me every time. I told you to resign. You answer by telling me you’re going out of the country at work. How was I supposed to react?”

“By not taking my job away, you oaf!”

“Actually, now that I remember, your job will not be there in a few weeks, anyway. You might as well thank me. But you’re free to work somewhere else.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What does that mean? Your job won’t be there in a few weeks. And by the way,” she folded her arms, “How do you and Judy know each other?”

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