Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
“You don’t need to be nervous,” Massimo said. “I am right here by your side.”
“You’re a Salvatore now,” Isabella said. “You’re a wolf, and do not let any of the vultures think otherwise.”
And with that, they walked up the steps and entered the large building. Usually, engagement functions were a private affair, hosted in the main house. This was a country club, private, set off from the main road, but with lots of parking, and waiters and waitresses wearing the company logo. It was a country club owned by the Russo Mafia, but there were many different clients that came here. There were passing waiters, and Massimo took three flutes of champagne and handed one to his sister, and the other to her.
None of them drank. Some people who were in attendance would get inebriated quickly. Adelina had no intention of doing so. Her family had never been allowed to be members of this country club. With their name connected to the Salvatores, she had no way of knowing if that would change things. This would have been one of the functions they would not be allowed to attend.
She wanted to knock back her drink, but instead she held it in her hand, which is what she noticed Massimo and Isabella did. One of the men talked to Massimo and Isabella came to her side, and slid her arm through hers.
“You’re doing great. The key is to always have a glass of champagne in your hand, never drink it, and if you put it down, get a fresh one.”
“Don’t people notice you’ve got the same glass?”
“There are so many people at places like this, that is impossible for anyone to monitor you for long. However, I don’t know if you have noticed how many people are looking at you.”
“What? Why?” Adelina asked. She did not want to embarrass Massimo.
“I would say it is because you’re not wearing a tent for a dress. You’re on Massimo’s arm and you look delectable. I might even say that Massimo is the envy of quite a few men here.”
She was pretty sure Isabella was just being nice. “I don’t ... is that a good thing?”
“Yes.”
Isabella smiled at a passing woman. “I’ll be right back,” she said, stepping away.
She was by Massimo’s side, still holding her glass of champagne. He finished talking with the one that had stopped him, and put a hand to her back. “I fucking hate these functions,” he said, pulling her in close.
“As much as if they’re at one of their homes?” she asked.
“These are worse, because I can’t just stand in my corner and wait for a certain woman to come and speak to me,” he said.
She still couldn’t believe she was the one he looked forward to seeing at those parties. It was quite surreal to her.
“I’m glad I could be of assistance.”
He laughed. “Here, it’s impossible to tell people to fuck off.”
This made her laugh. “I’m sure you could get away with it.”
“True.” His gaze moved to her lips. “Do you have any idea how many men keep looking at you?”
“What?” she asked, hating the thought of anyone else looking at her.
He leaned in close and put his lips against her ear. “They’re all kicking themselves because they had no idea that under all those layers of clothing was one of the sexiest women alive.” He kissed her temple. “They’re wishing they had given you a chance, and I love the fact that I stole you away from them.”
She gasped.
For the next hour, they mingled. Isabella came back to their side, with a smile on her lips. She was full of gossip tonight, and as Massimo was busy, she listened to Isabella claim that one of the capos’ wives had become a mistress to another capo. There was also a daughter who was sleeping with a soldier. She didn’t know all the people Isabella mentioned, but it sounded quite scary.
After an hour and a half, she needed to use the bathroom. Isabella had gone to talk to another friend, so she excused herself and made her way to the ladies’ room. There were some giggling women, who looked at her and then immediately left. She used the bathroom, flushed the toilet, and stepped out to wash her hands.
As she washed her hands, she looked up, and out of one of the stalls stepped Lily-Mae. She hadn’t seen her enter the country club. The look on her face told her she was about to be trouble.
“Do you think you clean up nicely?” Lily-Mae asked.
“I’m not looking for any trouble.”
Lily-Mae laughed. “Not looking for any trouble? Your fat ass will find it. Do you think you have what it takes to keep Massimo? He is going to realize you’re nothing. You’re not worth his time or effort. I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t have another woman waiting for him.”