Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
"Who knew I would get a big brother," she says.
I stare at the two of them, the two people I love most in the entire world, wondering if the human heart can burst when it's so full.
When we make it back to The Castle, Timeo’s at the pavilion, the paved area that flanks the building and wraps around it. I've seen pictures of weddings that took place here, because Tosca insisted on showing me. This, this is where we're going to get married.
Mario stands next to Timeo, and I can tell by the look on Mario's face that he's not here to talk about wedding centerpieces and our vows. He looks uncharacteristically serious.
Sergio and Mario have a silent exchange before Sergio turns to me.
“You should go inside."
I shake my head and swallow. “I’m not so sure about that,” I say firmly but gently.
Sergio still holds Starla despite Timeo’s narrow-eyed look. Maybe because of it.
Oh boy. That is going to be a problem. A problem for another day.
Right now I need to make sure that these guys understand if what Mario has to say has anything to do with me and Starla, I'm not going anywhere. If there's anything they need to tell Sergio, they can tell me.
My voice is calm but firm when I tell him, "If what you need to tell him has anything to do with me and Starla, we are staying right here, thank you."
Mario’s slight lift of the brows and widened eyes register mild surprise, but Sergio beams. "Does what you have to tell me have anything to do with them?"
I don’t realize Romeo’s there until he clears his throat. He sits in a chair on the side of the pavilion, managing to look regal and competent. "It has everything to do with them."
I nod. “Then I’ll stay.”
Sergio holds Romeo’s gaze. “She will.”
I squeeze Sergio’s arm.
I know from my time around the Montavios and the Rossis that they take traditional roles very seriously. Old school, definitely, so the fact that Sergio is taking a stand right now for me means everything.
If Sergio notices Timeo’s look, he doesn't acknowledge it. He simply arranges Starla in a chair and pulls out one for me. Quietly, in the background, Ricco takes out a lighter and walks up to a fire pit. I watch him arrange wood chips, kindling, and logs until they flare to life. Warmth surrounds us on a night that’s quickly growing colder.
I sit with Sergio and Starla underneath the stars, prepared to take anything they tell me.
Or so I think.
Mario speaks first. "You know I was bored to tears in that hospital room. I had to do something. And so I did. That’s when I found a connection between the cartel and the group that called themselves the fellowship."
I look at Starla, curious if she even knows what the cartel is, but she just stares at Mario, unblinking, her hands arranged loosely in her lap.
"The fellowship was only a front from the beginning. The founding fathers began their group under the auspices of living a religious life, but that was never their actual intended purpose.”
“How do you know?” Sergio asks quietly. I’m glad he asked. It was on my mind, but I don’t want to push my luck. I’m lucky I’m sitting here, and I’ll leave it at that.
“I found a record of payments made and damning correspondence.”
I swallow and nod. Sergio’s told me some of this, but having it all laid out here like this makes it seem so much more sobering.
“They probably hoped that being in the Carolinas would be distance enough that no one would make the connection, but as luck would have it, we did."
Romeo looks at Sergio. "We’ll do whatever we have to, so they don't get a foothold here.”
Sergio nods.
I know then that this is only the beginning, that whatever comes next likely involves details that I really don’t need or want to know. I talked at length to Marialena and Rosa about what marriage to Sergio would mean.
They told me that it's helpful to know what pertains specifically to me, but that in many cases, if my husband has business to deal with that doesn’t involve me, I would probably sleep better at night not knowing intricate details. I would agree.
The phrase ignorance is bliss never made more sense.
“You killed one of their most important leaders,” Romeo says, staring at Sergio. "I don't blame you. In fact, if you hadn't, I would've done it myself."
There’s a thread of steel in his voice that sends a shiver of fear down my spine. I never knew that I would want to be in a family like this, but now that I am, I know how badly I need it.
I have no interest in being with people who play by the rules anymore. I've played that game, and I did not win.