Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Letting out a sigh, I glance at him. “What do you want me to say, Massimo?” I turn my body to face him. “I took Haven, and I’m going to marry her.”
Looking as confused as I feel, he asks, “Why?”
“I have no fucking idea why.”
He shakes his head, worry tightening his features. “You’ll tie yourself to Nicolo.”
I know. I don’t like the idea one bit.
I suck in a deep breath and glance over the yard before I meet Massimo’s concerned gaze again. “Arrange everything for the wedding. The sooner the better.”
Massimo stares at me for a tense moment, then he nods. “Send me a photo of her passport.”
“Okay.” I open the car door and climb into the cab. Glancing up at him, I ask, “Have you heard anything about Vito or Sebastiano?”
“They’re both missing in action. I have men searching for them.”
“Fucking rats,” I growl while pulling the door shut. I let down the window, then mention, “I have a meeting with the alliance tomorrow, and I’ll be at home. Keep me up to date with what’s happening.”
“Will do.” Massimo places his hand on the roof and leans down. “Take some time to think about what you’re doing with Haven Romano.”
“Yeah-yeah,” I mumble before starting the engine. My eyes flick to him again as he takes a step away from the car. “Get some rest, Massimo.”
He nods. “You too.”
Driving away from the house, I take a deep breath before letting it out slowly.
I better stop at my mother’s place and tell her about the wedding. Fuck, she’s probably going to have a lot to say about it as well because she hates the Romanos as much as I do.
I replay the day’s events in my mind during the trip, and by the time I park the Porsche in front of my mother’s house, I feel even more aggravated.
Usually, I’m calm and collected, but Haven’s appearance in my life has shaken me up so much, I have no fucking idea what I’m doing.
Getting out of the car, I give Riccardo, my mother’s guard, a chin lift. He’s sitting on a bench having a smoke break.
“How’s everything here?” I ask on my way to the front door.
“Quiet as usual.”
Letting myself into the house, I call out, “Mamma?”
“In the kitchen.”
I find her putting the leftovers from dinner in containers.
Mamma gives me a loving smile. “This visit is unexpected. Is everything okay?”
I lean down and kiss both of her cheeks before I take a seat at the wooden kitchen table. “It was a crazy day.”
Her eyes flit over me. “Did you get hurt?” When I shake my head, she asks, “Do you want coffee?”
“No, thanks.” I pat my hand on the table. “Come sit.”
The loving expression fades, and worry creeps into her gaze while she takes a seat. “What’s wrong?”
Locking eyes with her, I say, “I’m getting married.”
Shock flutters over her face, and she gapes at me. “What? I wasn’t aware you were dating! Who are you marrying?”
I brace myself for one hell of a strong reaction from her. “I’m marrying Haven Romano. She’s Nicolo’s niece.”
An unhappy frown instantly forms on Mamma’s face. “A Romano! Why?”
“It’s for business,” I say, playing the only card I have in my hand. Mamma never interferes with anything mafia-related.
“But, Leo!” she exclaims. “This is marriage we’re talking about. Why arrange one with a Romano?”
Clenching my jaw, I shake my head. “I’m not going to talk about work with you.”
Mamma is visibly upset as she stares at me. “When are you marrying the woman?”
“As soon as Massimo makes all the arrangements. It will be a small and quick wedding.”
She shakes her head, leaning back in her seat while crossing her arms over her chest.
Just like Haven, Mamma’s easily half my size. She’s almost sixty, and the difficult life she lived with my father shows on her face.
I make an effort to soften the expression on my face. “Haven’s from America. She’s beautiful.”
She lets out a heavy sigh. “I didn’t want an arranged marriage for you.”
“I know.” I get up from the chair and move around the table. I wait for Mamma to climb to her feet, then pull her into a hug. “I just wanted to tell you about the wedding and to get the ring.”
I never thought the day would come when I’d ask my mother for the wedding ring that’s been passed down for four generations in my family.
Mamma pulls away from me, and I follow her to where the wall safe is in her bedroom. She keys in the code, and when the door clicks open, she removes the tiny box from the safe.
I watch as she opens the box, and for a moment, she stares at the ring. “I hope it will give your bride more happiness than it brought me.”
“I’m sure it will,” I say.