“I think it must be the oysters from last night,” Francesca is saying. “Amber and Daisy both ate them, and I didn’t.”
The bride is back in her chair, my boss finishing her hair while the makeup artist begins, since I guess we’re behind schedule because of the digestive protest and dog episode.
“But with both my besties ill, who’s going to walk Alpi up the aisle to serve as ringbearer?” Francesca sighs despondently, patting her dog, who is now tethered to her chair by a lead.
“I’ll do it,” Lucia says in a strangled voice.
“Mama, that’s impossible. You’ll be streaming with allergies if Alpi licks you.”
“I’ll be there!” croaks Amber from the ensuite bathroom, sounding like death warmed up.
“Mmm. And Daisy has been in bed all morning.” Francesca’s lip wobbles. “I know all that matters is getting married, but this isn’t working out the way I imagined. Ugh. This is so bad. My besties aren’t going to be at my wedding, and neither is my dog.”
“And the photos will look unbalanced without a bridal party, since you’ve got groomsmen,” offers the photographer, helpfully.
This is a personal, family conversation, and I feel like a creep listening in. I think I’ll make myself scarce. Since I’ve already done Lucia’s hair, and I did the mother of the groom and several of his aunts earlier, I’m surplus to requirements now.
“I’ll be going…” But just as I head for the door, Dante fills it, leaning against the frame. I come to a sharp halt. He really is huge and delicious.
“I’m here to see the beautiful bride.” Dante glances at me, his gaze sweeping quickly up and down before looking at his niece in the mirror. “Have you finished with your cheese-based crisis, now?”
“Oh my gosh, you have no idea!” Francesca launches into an explanation of what’s been happening, finishing with, “And our hairdresser totally saved the day!”
“A legend-dairy save,” Lucia adds, grinning at me.
Dante winces, shaking his head. “That was too cheesy, sis.”
“Well, now there’s a bit more of a crisis, because we don’t think Amber or Daisy will be up to looking after Alpi for the ceremony. And Amber did all the planning too.” Lucia shakes her head regretfully.
“The solution’s simple.” Dante has the sort of authority that looks effortless, but seems to be a genetic quirk that only theextremely rich, beautiful, or lucky get. “The two girls throwing up in the bathrooms will sit at the outer end of the front row seats, so they can run out if need be. And for the practicalities of the ceremony…” He turns to me. “You’ll be the bridesmaid.”
“Me?” I yelp.
2
DANTE
Yes. Her.
She may have bumped into me, but it’s me who fell.
She’s it for me. Everything. I had no idea I could feel like this. I love my family, I respect and honour my people in my role as the mafia boss of Clerkenwell. I’ve fucked women, although not recently. The novelty of having women just because of my power and money wore off years ago.
But this girl… When you know, you know.
In her denim shorts and vest top, with her serious big brown eyes. I’ve never wanted to make someone laugh, but I’d like to see all the sweet emotions from this little hairdresser.
“I can’t do that,” she continues.
“It’s not a bad idea,” my sister, Lucia, says thoughtfully.
“Good. We have an official dog whisperer,” I say. “It’s…” I turn to the girl I ran into.
“Ruby?” Her voice lifts as though questioning if I could possibly mean her.
“Ruby.” So that’s the name that will haunt my dreams and my half-waking hours. Be the name that I moan when I’m stroking my cock in the shower. Ruby. A vibrant, precious jewel. It suits her.
Tesorina. Little treasure.
