I stab my eggs harder than necessary.
This was a crazy plan from the beginning. When I agreed to it, some part of me never believed it would actually go this far. I definitely didn’t predict falling for the dangerous, overprotective, infuriatingly closed-off man who proposed it.
“I have a surprise for you.”
I look up. Matteo is still sitting across from me, which is unusual. Normally, he inhales his food and disappears before I’m halfway through my plate.
“What kind of surprise?” I ask, trying to keep my voice light despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach.
“I arranged a spa day. You, the women in your family, a few from mine. Ma and Nina. Your friend Nell from the bar too.”
The flutter turns into a full-on butterfly invasion. “A spa day? Like, with massages and facials and stuff?”
“Your mom picked the treatments. I’m not sure what all of it involves.” His mouth twitches. “But I know there’s a full-body massage.”
I give him a deadpan look. “Let me guess. You made sure the masseuse is a woman.”
The twitch becomes an actual smirk. “You’re getting to know me pretty well.”
Warmth spills through me, and I’m out of my chair before I can overthink it, wrapping my arms around him so tight that the air rushes out of his lungs in a surprisedwhoosh. He goes still for half a second before his arms come around me, solid and sure.
“When do we leave?” I mumble against his shoulder.
“Limo’s coming in fifteen minutes.”
I pull back, eyes wide. “Alimo?”
“My fiancée rides in style.”
The word hits me like a small electric shock.Fiancée.Tomorrow, it’ll bewife.
I change out of my pajamas in record time, throwing on jeans and a comfortable T-shirt. The limo arrives exactly on schedule, all the women already inside, and Matteo walks me to the doorlike this is prom night and he’s sending me off in the most extra way possible.
On the porch, he pulls me in for a kiss that lingers, his hand warm on my lower back. When he finally releases me, there’s something in his eyes I can’t quite read.
“Have fun.” His voice is soft. “You deserve it.”
He stands in the doorway with a mug of coffee, watching as the limo pulls away. I turn in my seat to look back at him, and I feel the pull of him even as he gets smaller in the distance.
A black SUV falls into line behind us. I notice Nina clocking it too, her expression knowing.
“Security detail,” Nina says, quiet enough to not be overheard. “Alessio insisted, but I’m guessing Matteo had the same idea.”
Right. Because tomorrow isn’t just my wedding day. It’s also the day we’re hoping to lure Viktor out of whatever hole he’s been hiding in. The day Matteo might finally get what he really wants from this arrangement.
I push the thought away and force a smile for my mom, who’s already asking about the seating chart.
The spa is one of those places that makes you feel like a peasant just walking through the door. White marble floors. A rock fountain trickling peacefully in the waiting area. Soft flute music that immediately makes me want to take a nap.
A woman in a white smock greets us with cucumber water and the kind of serene smile that suggests she’s never had to worry about anything as messy as a fake marriage to a mafia enforcer.
“Welcome to Serenity Springs. We’re so pleased to have you all here today.”
We’re a loud group. Too loud for this zen atmosphere. Sarah is bouncing on her toes, excited about the pregnancy massage she’s booked. Audrey is already criticizing the playlist. My mom is asking detailed questions about every treatment option while Harper stands slightly apart, checking her phone.
I watch Harper for a moment. She’s been quieter lately. Distracted. Julian’s awake but still in the hospital, and I know it’s wearing on her.
“Hey.” I touch her arm. “You okay?”
