* * *
“I am dreading tomorrow,” Sierra admits as we exit the yoga studio later that night, surrounded by bodyguards. “So much could go wrong.”
I rub her back. “Try not to worry,” I say even though I’m anxious too because Alesso is going with them. “Ben knows what he’s doing.”
“It’s not Ben I’m worried about,” she says as Nario opens the back door to her SUV. Although Alesso hasn’t been officially announced asconsigliereyet—they are waiting until things settle in the aftermath of the Chicago meeting—he is no longer my sister’s bodyguard. Neither of us are happy about that even though I’m proud of my man and delighted he is getting such an amazing opportunity. It means seeing a lot less of him, and our time together was already precious.
Sierra isn’t happy as she had grown attached to him and Nario is a lot surlier. Not as surly as Ciro. Man, that guy is a cranky bastard. But Nario will take a lot of getting used to after Alesso. That said, Ben wouldn’t assign someone who isn’t going to take the best care of his wife. And that is all that matters.
“I think pregnancy hormones are making me more anxious,” Sierra supplies when we are both settled in the back seat.
The car glides out of the parking lot, heading toward home.
“Everything is heightened when you’re pregnant.”
Sierra runs her hands back and forth across her bump. “I know I need to chill. That my man can handle it, and it’s not like this is an isolated event. Every time he leaves the house, he is putting himself at risk. I know he has a big target on his head, and I thought I had accepted that, but I’ve been a basket case recently.”
“It’s completely understandable, but Ben is well protected, and he’s smart. You need to trust in that and stop worrying. Stress isn’t good for you or the baby.”
“Ben says the same, and I know me being all stressed worries him too, so it’s a vicious cycle, but I can’t help how I feel.”
“At least this time, we can worry together.” I circle my arm around my sister, and she leans her head on my shoulder. “I’m proud of Alesso,” I whisper in her ear, not wanting to blurt anything in front of the two men in the front seats. The news about Alesso’s appointment cannot be leaked ahead of time. “But I worry too. He’s going to have a much larger target on his head now.” I run my fingers through Sierra’s golden-blonde hair. “It’s kinda funny. Every time Alfredo left the house, I used to pray for something to happen to him. Plead with God that a stray bullet would find its way into his skull, and it never happened. Now, I’ll be praying for the opposite.”
Sierra lifts her head, turning to face me. “Have I told you how happy I am for you?”
“About a million times.” I can’t contain my grin, so I let it loose. Whenever I remember how she and Nat reacted to the news after my date with Alesso, I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside. They couldn’t have been more pleased for me, and having their support and encouragement means the world to me.
I have never had close friends before. Leading a double life during high school made it virtually impossible. No one knew we were mafia, believing the businessman façade my father wore in public. I couldn’t bring friends back to our house or risk going to theirs, and as I wasn’t allowed to date, parties were few and far between. Father picked my dates for official school dances, which only made me stand out more. I had casual acquaintances in school, but for the most part, I was alienated.
This is the first time I have girlfriends I can confide things in. Sierra and I have grown super close since I moved in, and she and Nat are my lifelines. It finally feels like my life is on track. The only blip is themafiosodanger and the fact that asshole from the boutique has snuck back into the shadows. But I refuse to let it drag me down. Things are good, and I won’t let anything ruin it.
“I can’t wait for all this shit to blow over so you two can spend more quality time together. You know we’ll babysit anytime,” Sierra says.
Babysitters are something we’re not in short supply of, but I appreciate the offer. “Thanks. We will for sure take you up on that.”
When we get back to the house, Ben and Alesso are waiting by the front door for us. “What’s wrong?” Sierra asks, instantly assuming the worst.
“Nothing, my love.” Ben reels her to him, kissing her lips and then her swollen belly through her maternity dress. “I want to spend some time with you alone before we leave tomorrow.” He hands her a bunch of roses, and she visibly melts. Ben nods in our direction. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
We say goodbye, lingering for a moment. “For you.” Alesso produces a gorgeous colorful bouquet of flowers from behind his back.
“They’re beautiful.” Taking them from him, I bury my nose in the delicate fragrance. I lean up and kiss him, feeling an inordinate thrill every time I get to do that. We have stolen plenty of kisses these past few days, even if we’ve been like ships passing in the night. “Thank you.”
“Pretty flowers for my pretty girl.” He smiles as he kisses the tip of my nose. “I was drawn to them the second I walked into the store. When the florist explained they were lotus flowers and she told me the meaning behind them, I just knew they were the perfect flowers for you.”
I slant him an inquisitive look. “Okay. I’ll bite. What do lotus flowers symbolize?”
“Purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth.”
“Wow. They are kinda perfect.”
“I know.” He looks pretty pleased with himself as he brushes a kiss on my cheek.
“You are always surprising me in the best ways.” I loop my arm in his. “Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Are the kids asleep?” I ask as we begin to walk.
