I drink my orange juice as I smirk. “Neanche un pò.”Not even a bit.
“Oh,il Consigliowill be so pleased with the news,” he states as I feel so proud and relieved of what I did. In the last two years, I made sure to stay on their radar and eventually they've asked for a meeting. La Sacra Corona has adopted me, having my back. They are my family, the only one I've ever had since Mom died.
Driving to Magnolia,I hold Leila's hand. It's time for her to have a proper wardrobe since she didn't want to bring anything with her and last time I sent her shopping, she came back with a pair of jeans and a blouse. “Make sure to buy everything you need. Tomorrow night we'll have a special event to attend so please make sure to wear a red dress.”
“Is it a formal event?”
“The Bonetti family is about to be officially part of La Sacra Corona,” I announce. I don't want there to be any secrets between us, she needs to know Dad was no one in the mafia while I made sure to reach the higher circle and sit at the bosses’ table.
I park the car and give her my credit card. “Have fun and buy everything you like.”
“You won't come?” she stutters, surprised.
I laugh as I get out of the car and walk toward her side. I open the door for her and help her get out. “Ferdinando and Iwill do some shopping too. You're safe here, free your mind and go enjoy your girlie day. Tomorrow night, after the event, we'll leave Italy.”
Her head snaps at me. “Leave Italy to go where?”
I kiss her forehead as I take her hand and lead her inside the Magnolia Shopping Center. “Seattle. I have a few meetings I can't push but we'll be back if you...”
“Not that there's something for me here.” She takes a deep breath. “Chris, what will I do over there? I can't…”
“You'll be my Queen,” I say as Elena peers at us. I take both of her hands and brush my lips over them. “I don't want you to ever worry about anything, baby. Let me take care of my family.”
She gets on her tiptoes and kisses me. “We'll talk about that later,” she murmurs as we reach Ferdinando and his sister. Elena drags Leila away as I focus on Ferdinando.
“I hate shopping,” I complain as I look around.
He chuckles, “Tell me about it, that's why I have a personal shopper.”
“Yeah, they get along pretty good.” I nod toward the ladies, who are laughing in front of a shop.
He pats my shoulder while shaking his head. “Which means you're in trouble. Elena will corrupt her.”
I roll my eyes at his silliness. “She's not that bad.”
“Keep saying it later too.”
The next threehours flew by but at least I've done my shopping too. I'm drinking coffee when the ladies come back.
I point at her two bags while my gaze shifts from Leila to Elena and back to Leila. “Tell me that's not all?”
“It's what I need,” she murmurs as I take her bags and hand them to Elena before I drag Leila back toward the shops. “Where are we going?”
“We'll have it together.” I march toward the lingerie shop.
“Good afternoon.” The saleswoman smiles at us as I take a look around.
“I need everything you have in her size, color and shape. Better cotton, lace and silk.”
“Chris, I don't need all of that.”
“You do, trust me.” I smirk at her. “I told you to buy everything you need and I'll make damn sure you won't miss anything.” I focus back on the saleswoman when Leila squeezes my hand.
“There's no need to buy everything. We'll take just…” She walks toward some stands and picks four cotton pieces and I roll my eyes. While she looks around, I beckon Natalie and point to a few more bras and sexy pieces. It'll look divine on her.
“Your girlfriend is a lucky girl.” Natalie giggles as she flutters her eyelashes at me.
I hand her my credit card as I nod. “Mia moglie.”My wife.
