“I don’t either.” She brushes back my long hair with a smile. “Your hair grew back and you’ve grown stronger, Caterina.” I’m glad to say the hideous bangs are only a memory. “Be strong, my girl, and try your best to be a good wife. I know Alessio is not the manImarried but perhaps there is a part of him that will wish to treat you well.”
My breath catches in my throat with emotion. “But, the bad blood between Nico and him…”
“That is between the men, and let us hope it remains there. You are innocent, and he must see that. Alessio will be a Capo someday, and a Capo must be strong at all times, but, to stay strong, a Capo needs a refuge where he can let his guard down, now and then. If he will treat you right, be that refuge for him and perhaps in time affection may grow.”
Affection between Alessio and I? It seems impossible with Sil Jr.’s death and my brother between us but I would prefer a marriage like Mother describes than to live constantly in fear.
“Caterina?” Armando’s voice calls from outside the changing room.
“Yes, what is it?” I snap. I’m annoyed having this unexpected moment with my mother interrupted. What does he want anyway? If there were any danger, he wouldn’t have hesitated to bust through the fragile lattice changing-room door.
“Alessio’s here to see you.”
“Alessio’s…WHAT?!”
7
Alessio
“Were you with her when she received the necklace?” Tourmaline gemstones are not the most sought-after – turns out, I know fuck all about jewelry – but they resembled her Coca-Cola brown eyes and the diamonds surrounding them were the highest quality.
“I was,” Armando replies indifferently over the phone.
“And?”
“And, what? If you wanted your bride’s reaction, you should’ve flown into town with Francesca last week and given it to her yourself on her birthday.”
“Go fuck yourself, Armando.”
“There are plenty of girls in Chicago who do that instead, thank you very much. They’re going to be so sad when I move back to Vegas.”
He’s fucking insufferable. One goddamn job is all I ask of him – keep me updated about my future wife.
Fine. He hastwojobs, his first being to guard her and ensure she remains untouched until we wed, something that worthless old shit her father employed was incapable of. “Make sure you remember your priorities, Armando. You’re my friend but…”
“Don’t worry. I don’t want to wind up a greasy spot on the road like Manfredi. You won’t catch me with my cock up some whore’s ass when I’m supposed to be on duty.”
No, I won’t. Armando is far too smart and too loyal to be tempted from his duty. Manfredi was not strong enough to resist temptation when it was placed before him though and… well, that simply wouldn’t do. A little accident had to be arranged to avoid trouble within the Trio.
“How was the birthday party? Were there ponies? Did you get your face painted?” I ask, sarcastically.
He laughs and gives it right back to me. “Sure were. Got a unicorn on my cheek. Your future brothers-in-law sang‘Happy Birthday’to her by the way, and I’m not bullshitting you about that.”
“Fucking pussies. Another good reason to tear out their tongues,” I grumble.
“I nearly pissed myself laughing. Oh, Nico gave her a gift she doesn’t want me to see. I wasn’t certain at first - she said it was jewelry - but there’s nothing new in her jewelry box.”
“Is that so?” I reply, darkly.
“Except for the necklace you sent her. It’s there. I don’t think she’s worn it at all.”
Goddamn Armando, he’s lucky I like him. “I think I’ll pay her a visit.”
“We’ll be flying out to Vegas the day after tomorrow.”
“I want to make sure she’s all packed for moving day.”
“You want to see her, don’t you?” The smug certainty dripping from his tongue makes me want to tear his out.
