Everyone claps, and it’s a lovely moment. I should look at the happy couple as they kiss, but my eyes are drawn to Ruby. We share a relieved smile.
My heart flips.
She’s so perfect.
The newlyweds proceed down the aisle to the sound of the string quartet, the music swelling in that way that makes emotion stir in your chest even if you’re cold and dead inside like me. My niece glows with happiness, and everyone claps. Francesca’s friends are well enough to follow them with confetti, and if the confetti is in the shape of little guns, it’s deniable.
Next to me, Ruby’s eyes shine.
Delighted guests begin to chatter, and my men posing as ushers direct them to the drinks reception.
Then Ruby gasps, and I follow her gaze to where Alpi is gleefully ripping a paper into strips.
For a second, it doesn’t register. But where is that paper even from? A glance at the table confirms my fear. Not just any piece of paper, no.
The wedding certificate.
It must have fallen onto the floor when the priest lurched against the table and was swept into Alpi’s waiting mischievous jaws by the priest’s robe.
That is what kept him quiet through that tender moment? The little shit. I dive for him, scooping the little terror up with one hand as I tug at the wedding certificate with the other. It squishes and tears, and I watch with dismay as Alpi chews up the remaining part in his mouth.
“Dante!” Lucia hisses, and I find my sister pointedly staring at my side… Shit. Where my suit jacket has been kicked open by the dog and revealed my pistol. I conceal it again, but the damage is done. I promised Lucia no mafia stuff, but I’ll never bewithout a weapon when my family’s safety is potentially at risk. What if something had happened to Ruby?
It takes me a second to remember she’s not actually part of the family, and that drops heavily into my gut.
“Here, I’ve got the rest,” Ruby says, on her knees and collecting small pieces of soggy paper. I reach down to help Ruby up, but she misunderstands the gesture, and I get a handful of dog-drool-covered paper placed into my palm.
I examine it. It’s almost indecipherable. Does Al Poochino think he’s losing his territory with Francesca? He’s acting like true Italian mafioso, ruthlessly disrupting this wedding.
I lift the little dog up and stare him in the eyes.
If his mission has been to fuck withmygirl becauseIgave his girl away, he’s done an admirable job. One mafia don to another, I respect that.
5
RUBY
Eventually all the pieces of the wedding certificate are found, and Lucia takes charge of them. Francesca returns to claim Alpi, who she praises and fusses over for having done a wonderful job as ring bearer.
We don’t disillusion her.
I’m surplus to requirements now, and begin to creep away. I’ll get my stuff and?—
“Where are you off to?” comes a deep, disapproving voice.
I freeze, and peek over my shoulder. Dante regards me darkly.
“Oh…” I flap my hands. “Back to my hotel room?” Because I’m not sure, but I’m awkward enough without standing around where I’m not invited.
“You’re part of the bridal party,” he states lazily.
“I’m really not,” I protest.
“Stay,” he says, roughly. “As a thank-you.”
I pause.
“As a personal favour to me.”
