Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Hey! That’s not fair. Ugh, someone should’ve reminded me pregnant women can’t drink wine.”
“We all have to make sacrifices,” Salvatore says with a look of utter martyrdom as he takes both glasses of wine.
Nonna sees us and smiles, her eyes a bit glassy. “Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire!”
I smile at her. “Always, nonna.” I may travel the world and marry, have children and move away, but I will always, always have a home here at The Castle, with Nonna and my mother, my siblings and little nieces and nephews.
“Ah,” Romeo says, nodding at us. “But don’t forget, Tra Moglie e Marito Non Mettere il Dito, Nonna.” Never interfere between a husband and his wife.
“She isn’t interfering, Romeo, only reminding me that I will always have a place here with all of you.”
“La famiglia e tutto,” Salvatore agrees a bit gruffly, but I can tell by the way he squeezes my hand that he has no hard feelings. Though we have family, our loyalty now lies with a small, nuclear family of our own. Nonna grins at him, releases Romeo, then reaches for Salvatore’s hand.
“I can’t!” he protests, holding up two wineglasses to show his occupied hands.
Nonna shakes her head and tips her hand up like she’s holding a phantom glass.
“Drink up, husband,” I tell him with a laugh. With a grin, he drains his glasses, hands the empties to me, then joins Nonna on the dance floor. Nonna loves him because he trusts her food and the enormous platefuls he eats rival my brothers.
In the past few months, we’ve ceremoniously buried his cousin and mother, and he’s appointed new leaders. My brothers told me they were vetted to within an inch of their lives, and I’m not surprised. They said this with no small measure of approval, though. Even though I’m a Capo now, they like to know I’m safe.
Salvatore rewarded Jared for his bravery and help, and when we couldn’t locate any of his family, Salvatore begrudgingly agreed to let Jared stay. He softens Salvatore a little, even more than I do, and I know it’ll only give him good practice. Both of us, really.
Much to Salvatore’s exasperation, I had all of his bulletproof vests upgraded to deflect blades as well, because much to my chagrin, though bulletproof vests can deflect bullets, they can’t deflect blades unless specifically designed to do so. Who knew? I argued that if I can’t buy shoes without protection, he can’t buy vests without, either. He finally agreed.
Mama exits the kitchen, laden with trays of dessert. “Come, everyone. Mangia! Even you, Salvatore. I brought your favorite.”
I eye Mama. Is the decadent cake, Salvatore’s favorite bacio with chocolate and hazelnut mousse, a peace offering?
“Grazie, Tosca,” he says, giving me a secretive wink.
“Wait, I thought you got that for me?” Santo says to Mama. “You know I love that cake.”
“Hands off my cake, buddy,” Salvatore yells over Nonna’s shoulder.
“Wait, I thought that was my cake,” Mario says.
“You said you got it for me!” Tavi shrugs off his jacket and starts to roll up his sleeves.
“Ah, boys, you are not getting into a fight over dessert,” I begin, as Romeo clears his throat.
“But I was the one that asked for the bacio.”
Oh, God. They are not getting into a fight over this. “No one touches my cake,” Salvatore says, ignoring me entirely.
“You guys. Hey! Hello!”
“Let them eat cake,” Rosa says as she sips her wine. “He has to fight over food once in a while, Marialena, or he’ll never really be one of us, will he?”
“Boys. Boys!” Mama says as the double doors to the dining room open and several members of staff follow her, bearing large platters with several more cakes. Mama beams. “I got one for each of you. See?”
Romeo releases Mario from the headlock he discreetly put him in, and Salvatore resumes his dance with Nonna. Tavi grunts, and Santo kisses both of Mama’s cheeks. “We won’t each need a cake, now, Mama,” he says. “Really, that was unnecessary.”
Rosa shrugs beside me. “Not so sure about that.”
I exhale. Phew. So no one will be fist-fighting over cake today.
“Ahh, drinking our wine, eating our desserts, and dancing with Nonna?” Mario says softly, so only I hear. “Your husband knows how to convince our family to love him. The only question is, has he convinced you?”
“Oh, he has,” I say with a smile. “Nonna!” I raise my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “I have an announcement.”
Nonna finally lets Salvatore go. I hold my hands out to him. Bending toward me, he kisses each of my cheeks before leading me to the dance floor.
Mama looks at me as Salvatore swings me out in front of him. “Yes?” she asks. “Well, don’t leave us in suspense, for goodness’ sake.”
I pat my belly. “Stiamo avendo due gemelli!”