"Oh?" Diego responds with a drawl. "Which partners?"
Alexander sips his water, his expression innocent as he interjects.
"Several. Most recently, we've been negotiating with the Degerson group for some supply chain logistics."
Diego's posture stiffens beside me.
"Diablo Degerson?"
"His organization, yes," Alexander replies casually, though I catch the calculation in his eyes. "Know of him?"
I feel the tension at our table suddenly spike so high I can practically taste it in the air. Diego's expression darkens noticeably as his fingers tighten around the glass he is holding.
"Everyone knows Degerson," he says curtly. “But I think you already knew that.”
My cousin just smirks. Fortunately, the waiter returns with champagne, pouring it into the delicate flutes. The bubbles dance upward, creating a momentary distraction as we all raise our glasses in a toast.
"To family," Antonio says meaningfully, his eyes fixed on me.
"To family," we all echo.
Somehow the conversation shifts to safer topics like the weather in Phoenix compared to Italy, the best local wineries, and places I might enjoy visiting. Underneath everything though, I still sense the tension. Every time Diego looks away,one of my cousins catches my eye, silently communicating questions they can't ask aloud. When our entrées arrive, I pick at my pasta, my appetite diminished by anxiety. What do they know about my situation? About the wedding? About Frankie? Rio?
"Your wedding preparations must be keeping you busy," Felix says suddenly, his voice gentle. "It's coming up soon, isn't it?"
My fork freezes halfway to my mouth, my appetite now completely gone.
"Yes," I manage, setting it down carefully. "Next week."
"So soon," Alexander murmurs, his gaze flicking briefly to Diego. "And have you met your fiancé yet? I heard he’s been gone a lot."
I can feel Diego watching me, waiting for my answer.
"Not yet," I say, forcing a smile I don't feel. "It is all happening rather quickly…."
Antonio reaches across the table, grabbing my hand.
"These arrangements can be complicated," he says carefully. "We are here for you, no matter what. Remember that."
As he squeezes my hand, I feel something slip between my fingers from underneath the table. A small, folded piece of paper. I don’t dare look in Felix’s direction, knowing he’s the one who passed it. Carefully, I transfer it to my lap and then under my napkin.
"Speaking of arrangements," Diego interrupts, checking his watch with exaggerated concern. "We should be getting back soon. You have a fitting this afternoon for your wedding dress."
I blink in surprise. This is the first I've heard of any fitting and it thoroughly annoys me.
"I do?"
Diego's smile doesn't reach his eyes.
"Yes. Santiago arranged it himself."
My stomach drops and the abrupt announcement hangs in the air like a death sentence. My precious time with my family is being cut short, and there's nothing I can do about it. Antonio signals for the check, but Diego waves him off.
"It's taken care of," he says dismissively.
My cousins exchange glances I can't fully decipher and as we stand to leave, each embraces me with a tight hug.
"Remember what I said," Felix whispers against my ear in Italian. "We are here for you now."
