Maggie’s look of approval made me glow all night.
Now here I am, back again, only this time I’m an outsider. Unwelcome in the family. The cause of its downfall, in many ways. And I’ve never felt so isolated and unwanted.
I wish…
I wish Luca were here.
Coming to Boston was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have put my life on the line, or Marco’s. I stand up, glancing around for Marco. “Let’s go,” I tell him. “It’s too dangerous.”
I turn to look up at the house one more time. But then I notice shadows moving from the side of the house, separating themselves out of the blackness and morphing into figures. Imposing figures, marching straight towards me, purposeful. One middle figure flanked by four others—instinctively, I retreat towards Marco, who already has his gun out.
The middle figure, the head of the arrow, holds up a hand. “No need for that,” he says, amused.
Marco holsters his gun, grinning. “Boss,” he says with a nod.
“Luca,” I croak. He’s still walking fast toward me and I’m rooted to the ground. I’m not sure if he’s an angel come to save me or a demon to damn me, but when he takes me in his arms and kisses me, I don’t even care.
“What are you—how did you know—” I stutter, once his mouth is off mine and I’ve caught my breath.
“I knowyou, baby bird,” he says. “I know you never listen to me.”
“That’s not true,” I say weakly.
“Mm. Well. I didn’t want you to have to face this alone. So here I am, ready to pay my respects to a long-time business associate of the Morelli Family. Mr. Donovan was a great ally for many years, so it’s only proper I should attend his wake along with you. Not to mention, it’s my job to support my husband in his time of loss. Isn’t it?”
Just a few seconds ago I was ready to turn tail and run. But with Luca beside me, I can face fucking anything. Even my messed up family, my murderous oldest sister, and a houseful of Irish enemies.
“Yes,” I say, kissing him again.
Behind him, one of the other figures coughs. “Come on, you guys. I don’t wanna stand around here waiting for the micks—uh, the Irish to pick us off here in the driveway.”
“Brother Frank?” I ask, grinning. “You came, too?”
“Damn straight. We’re family, ain’t we?”
My throat gives another squeeze and I have to clear it. “We are.”
Frank steps forward and pulls me into a hug, slapping my back hard. “Sorry for your loss,Principessa.”
“Thanks,” I whisper.
Luca, who has been talking quietly with Marco, looks back over as Frank releases me. “You guys go wait at the door,” Luca tells the men. “And thanks, Marco.”
Muttering and suspicious of their surroundings, the men make their way up to the door, but Luca pulls me back for a moment. “One last thing.” He grabs up my left hand.
I know what this is about. “I didn’twantto, but I—”
He ignores me and jams the ring back on my finger. “We had a deal, baby bird,” he says, his voice dark. “Youkeepthat ring on your finger, because—”
“Yeah, yeah. Because you need to know where I am.”
“No.” He turns me to face him, grabbing at my upper arms, and shakes me a little. “Because it’s your goddamnwedding ring.”
I’m about to sass him again, but I stop myself in time. “You’re right,” I say, and I mean it. “I’m sorry. It was disrespectful to take it off.”
He takes up my hand to admire the ring on my finger. “Damn straight.”
“You’re such a dork,” I mutter. “How did you even get it from—”
