“Sorry, should have mentioned I have company.” She blushes. “That’s the reason I’m calling, actually. I have a question for you.”
“Then I probably have an answer,” he says smoothly.
“Can you find a way to void the marriage contract between Gabi and Riccardo? Her stepfather won’t let her out of it, so we need help.”
There’s a beat of silence as we wait for his response, which feels like an eternity, but it’s probably only a few seconds.
“Is this what Gabriela wants?”
Abella looks poised to answer, then thinks better of it and turns the phone to me so I can speak for myself. I offer Angelo a very awkward wave—for reasons I can’t explain—before I clear my throat and come right out with it.
“I don’t want to marry him. I know he’s your cousin, but…he’s awful.”
Angelo has always been slightly terrifying, but for a brief moment, I think I see his eyes soften a fraction.
“Okay.”
“Really?” I blurt.
“Something you should know about me, Gabi.” He smirks. “There isn’t a thing I won’t do when my wife asks.”
I smile, because I know that’s true. Still, I thought it would be much harder than that. TheCosa Nostraisn’t exactly known for being flexible, and I truly didn’t know if asking would even get me anywhere. But I think after what Angelo and Abella went through, he’s not quite so rigid about the rules.
“Aww.” Abella lets out a dreamy sigh as she turns the phone back to herself. “You want to clear some space on your schedule this afternoon?”
Mariella rolls her eyes as Angelo agrees.
“Is Nella awake yet?” she asks.
“She’s still napping.”
The two of them converted a space on their office floor into a daycare for their daughter, so when they’re both working, they can be nearby. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more devoted parents,and I’m glad they finally got their happy ending after so much turmoil.
“Okay,” Abella murmurs. “Give me an hour, and I’ll be there.”
They say goodbye to each other, and I shout a quick thank you before Abella disconnects the call.
“You have him wrapped around your finger.” Mariella laughs. “And he doesn’t care who knows it.”
“Well, it’s only fair. He has the same effect on me.”
“Riccardo is going to love this,” Mariella muses.
“Yeah, poor guy has had a bad run of luck lately,” Abella answers dryly. “All those problems with his businesses, escorts blackmailing him, getting mugged, and now losing the best thing he ever could have had. I feel so not sorry for him.”
“Wait, he got mugged?” I ask.
Mariella nods. “At the beginning of the week. Someone beat the shit out of him, and now he’s whining about it to the entireCosa Nostra, demanding they find the culprit.”
“So that’s why he’s been MIA.” I try not to smile. “Is it wrong that I’m kind of relieved by that?”
“Nope.” Abella shakes her head. “That guy is an asshole, and I’m sure we only know the half of it.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
Concern flickers across her face. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, but I don’t know what he’s capable of. After the last dance practice, he called and laid out his plans to control my entire life. He wanted to dictate what I wear, when I’m allowed to spend time with my friends, and give me a phone that he would monitor. That was just the beginning of his tirade.”
