She gripped my hand. “How about a glass of wine while I tell you?”
Almost relieved, I nodded. “I would love one.”
“Come on.” Evidently, she did know Donatello would stop at nothing to talk to me, offering a look that would drive most men into the ground.
She’d purposely set up a little tête-à-tête since my grandmother was waiting at the kitchen table with a glass of wine in her hand. When you mixed alcohol with my grandmother, you never knew what words would come out of her mouth.
“Sit down, Emme,” Nona said. I’d called her Nona since I could remember, the only person who did.
I did as I was told as the Prince children had learned early in their lives never to ignore Lillian’s demands.
After pouring me a glass of wine, Catherine took her position by the kitchen island, her expression one of amusement. I had a feeling this was the exact same conversation all four women had received from the powerful woman either before or after marrying into the family.
While their situations were somewhat different than mine, mixing business with pleasure in the realm of the mafia was similar.
Reaching out, Nona took my hand. “Do you love him?”
The question was blunt out of the gate.
“I, um…”
“If you honestly need to think about your answer then you made a mistake and you don’t make mistakes.”
“Oh, yes, I do.”
The way my grandmother was looking at me was almost terrifying.
“No, you do not, Emmeline. You are a princess and I don’t care what you say, you are. However, you grew up being you when you were told to be anything but. You’re very strong, extremely intelligent, and you know what you want. Why are you doubting yourself now?”
“Who says I am?” I stole a quick glance at Catherine, who was nodding.
“Come now. I’ve lived a very long, somewhat arduous life and I’ve been required to deal with the men of the Prince family. I also know a shining star when I see one. All you women are. Every last girl who fell in love with my baby boys is so strong. You’re no exception. You must be strong to marry a man like Donatello.”
She was right. I laughed, taking a sip of wine. “Maybe we rushed into things.”
“Maybe so, but that doesn’t change the way you feel about him. You need to trust in your gut. Loving any man isn’t easy. God knows, I wanted to kill your grandfather on several occasions. In fact I almost did. Twice.” Nona held up two of her fingers while I had to slap my hand across my mouth to keep from spewing wine.
“You did not.” Catherine was just as hysterical as I was.
Nona adjusted her shirt. “Yes, I did. He’d plucked my last nerve. That didn’t mean I didn’t love him. I miss him every day. I justneeded to put him in his place every so often. Which is what you will need to do.”
“That’s not what’s bothering me.” Maybe all the fighting to keep from admitting why I was a nervous wreck was me just running away once again from my problems.
“Then what is?” Catherine asked. “Why did you really leave New Orleans? I know you too well by now. Something spooked you and nothing ever does.”
I looked down as if I needed to be ashamed of what I was thinking and what was wrong with me. “You’re right. A call from my gynecologist. I was told I can’t have children. Something about scar tissue on my ovaries. I can’t grow a baby inside of me and every man wants a child, especially in this business.”
“I’m so sorry,” Catherine said so quietly, it felt as if someone had died.
Exhaling, the ugly little sound that I made was a clear indication I’d yet to get over the horrible news. “I’ll be fine. I just won’t have children running through the house. Maybe I’ll adopt a couple furry babies.”
Catherine’s face lit up. “That’s a great idea. You can adopt.”
“I do love dogs.”
“No, silly. Why not adopt a child?”
Her idea was one I hadn’t thought about. “Maybe. As long as it’s good for business.”
