Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“How’d he sound?”
“Really fucking pissed, but he made the announcement already.”
I nod, my shoulders slumping. “It’s official then.”
“The whole city knows that the Rossi Famiglia and the Rinaldo Famiglia are officially in an alliance. Which means they’re joining the war. Congratulations, Allegra. You might’ve saved all our asses.”
I manage a weak smile. I should be proud, but all I can feel is an ugly emptiness.
“Do you know what they did with that Irish guy?”
He shrugs and gestures in the air. “Who knows. They’ll probably keep him alive for a while, but—” He doesn’t finish that sentence. We both know what’ll happen.
I feel sorry for the guy on some strange level.
“Where’s Gian?”
“Helping Mother out to the back porch. He’ll come find you in a little while.”
“That’s good. I know he wants to see more of her.”
Renzo tilts his head, watching me for a few second. “Gian’s never been close with the family,” he says. It doesn’t sound like an indictment, only a statement of fact. “That’s just his personality. He’s always been a little more withdrawn.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”
“Except when it comes to you. And it seems that whatever you make him feel is beginning to rub off on other areas of his life.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“I think so. Anyway, I’m happy you married him. Saul’s happy about it too, even though he still won’t admit it.” Renzo’s smile seems easy and light. “He’s mostly psyched that he got Gian’s Vegas business.”
I snort and put down my coffee. “Glad he’s happy then.”
He takes a deep breath and lets it out. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to say that.”
“I feel like I do. If you hadn’t run away when we were engaged, I never would’ve met Maddie. If you hadn’t married Gian, none of this would’ve happened, and I’ll be honest with you. We need your family’s help. Otherwise, this fight is going to drag out for a long time.”
“Just doing what’s right.”
“Yeah, but that’s not always easy.” Renzo pushes back and stands. “I’m going to go find my wife and my kid. Gian will find you soon, don’t worry. Get something to eat. Tara’s the best.”
The old cook nods from over at the island. “He’s right, dear. I really am.”
I laugh as Renzo walks away. But my good mood fades and I go back to staring out the window.
Sophia texted an hour ago. We went back and forth a little bit. She described the vibes in the Rinaldo house (Absolutely fucked, worse than if someone died, seriously) and delivered the inevitable news (Your father’s telling anyone that’ll listen how much he hates your guts, I’m sorry, babe), and even though I expected all this, it still hurts.
I smile anyway when Gian appears. He looks as tired as I feel, but somehow, he’s still absolutely gorgeous. I tilt my chin up for a kiss and let him pull me to my feet. His arms wrap around my body, hugging me tight.
“You okay?” he asks softly, lips nuzzling against my ear.
“I’m hanging in there.”
He nods, not pushing me to say more, and takes my hand. We leave the kitchen together and head into an empty library. There’s a fire crackling in the fireplace and the windows are pushed open. He sits me down on a couch, my back against a bunch of pillows, and pulls my feet into his lap. I let out a little groan of happiness as he begins to rub them.
“I just want you to know that I understand what you did last night,” he says, his hands working their magic.
“All I did was follow the plan.”
He shakes his head and meets my gaze. “We both know that’s bullshit.”
I smile at him. “I gave my father the Irishman, just like we discussed.”
“You torched your own chances at ever rejoining your family.”
“That wasn’t on purpose.”
“Bullshit. You’re smart, Allegra. You knew what was going to happen.”
I gesture vaguely in the air. “Shit happens sometimes.”
“Allegra.” He squeezes my foot. “You didn’t have to do it.”
I drop my hands and lean forward to brush my fingers down his arm. “Yeah, I really did.” He tries to argue, but I squeeze his shoulder. “It was the only way I could think of that would get my father back into your alliance. And you need him, right? If we hadn’t convinced Dad to back you and Renzo, the war with the Irish and the Russians might’ve dragged on for years.”
“It still could. We don’t know that your father’s men are going to be much help.”
“They will.”
“If you had told me—”
“That’s why I didn’t.” I lean back and sigh as he resumes rubbing. That man is way too good with his fingers. Drives me absolutely crazy. “I knew you’d never go along with it, so I didn’t tell you everything.”
“Only enough to make it happen.” He shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “You’re trouble.”