“He was one against many. I’m just glad they didn’t do worse.”
“Me, too,” she whispers, sounding heartbroken at the thought.
“Does Ritchie have you guarded all the time?”
“Sure, but I’m finding ways to enjoy some freedom here and there.” Her tone has turned borderline devious.
"In what ways?" I ask.
She doesn't take the bait over the phone. “I’m looking forward to seeing you next week.”
Our delayed wedding reception is coming up soon. I’ve pushed it out of my mind lately. While I’m excited to have family coming to town, I’m very anxious about being officially introduced to more of the New York Trio. That gossipy reporter’s response to our surprise wedding was insulting enough even if she’s stopped saying anything negative about me at all.
“I can’t wait to see you, too,” I tell Gia. “Cat said Ritchie’s making you return to Chicago after my reception. I’m sorry.”
“Yes, we’ll see,” she replies, enigmatically. “Tell me more about life in New York.”
I rattle on for a bit, mentioning Aurora and eventually my newest friend, Harper. "She's really cool."
“I’m sure she’s great, Frankie, but remember you can't trust outsiders.”
I frown at Gia’s caution. “She’s just a girl in class with me.”
“Still, people will want to get close to you as Carlo’s wife. They’ll use you if they can.”
“You could say Aurora would have more to gain from being my friend, although she's not like that. But how could a girl like Harper use me? She's got more freedom than we ever will.”
“I don’t meanthatgirl. Just be careful, okay? Are you prepared for the reception with the bloody sheet nonsense?”
My nose crinkles up. “We’ll have been married for over a month.”
“True, but the Sicilians cling to their traditions. I wasn’t at Cat’s brother’s wedding, but I heard how the bride's family demanded to see the sheets the morning after Nico and Margareta married. Made a big spectacle of it before the Seconda Notte.”
Grimacing, I know I wouldn’t like that. I don’t like being reminded of the Seconda tradition either. Surely, Carlo will forgo that. It’s not like it’s going to be our ‘second night’ as husband and wife, and he’s promised to be faithful… if I can believe a word he says.
After hanging up, I go downstairs to find Dinora. “Your husband got home a few minutes ago,” she tells me, nodding in the direction of his office.
After she tells me what to do with the dish in the oven once the timer finishes, she leaves. Once it beeps, I remove it to let it sit, wondering if I should go fetch him. He probably didn’t hear the oven in there. I’d like to eat dinner with him. I’ve missed him today. When we first married, I never imagined I’d miss him.
“Sorry if I’m interrupting,” I say, stepping inside.
"You’re an interruption I enjoy.” Nevertheless, he keeps working, looking cold and remote in his dark business suit with a glass of liquor by his side.
The carpet muffles the sound of my bare feet until I'm standing behind him, my hands resting on his broad shoulders and arousalcoiling through me. "Anything interesting?" My eyes flit to the computer - more numbers and some names, nothing that makes sense to me – before he quickly closes it. I want him to know I'm loyal, unlike my father, but I'm not sure I can claim that when I'm keeping secrets. "I didn't mean to be nosy."
Spinning in his chair, he picks up his drink, finishing it. "It's alright."
"Your dinner's ready." He starts to stand, but I place my hands on his chest, pushing him back into his seat. One corner of his mouth tips up as I shimmy out of my panties, dropping them in his lap. He's already getting hard as I take a seat on his desk. "Though… I might suggest you have dessert first."
His devilish smirk lights me up inside. "My clever wife. You're absolutely right."
***
Wednesday – 2:00PM
Damrosch Park, Free concert
Lose your watchdog in the crowd. I’ll find you ~ R
