Page 18 of Satin Empire

And I wonder how many more night-time routines I have left with him before I’m forced to live an entirely different life with a man I don’t know in a house I’m not familiar with, and the thought makes me want to break down in gut-shattering sobs.

I keep it together because Niccolo needs me to tuck him in, and that’s what I do.

Chapter 9

Alana

Orsino comes for me in the morning. I’m sitting up in bed, scrolling on my phone, killing time before I get my day started. Antonio’s with him, the old bodyguard lurking in the background and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. I stand dumbfounded as Orsino barks his orders from the threshold of my room.

“I don’t want any whining. I set this up with Don Renzo and there’s no backing out of it. I need you wearing something nice and in the car in one hour.”

“What are you talking about?” I stare at him, still barely half awake. I only rolled out of bed a half hour ago, and I haven’t gotten enough caffeine in my body to start dealing with my stepfather’s random demands already.

“Your wedding day is upon us, girl.” Orsino steps into my room. I flinch back away from him. “Dress nice. Wear white if you want to, I don’t give a damn. We’re leaving in an hour, and if you make this difficult for me or embarrass me in any way, I swear I’ll make you regret it. Remember, your mother’s still my wife.” He shows his teeth and maybe it’s meant to be a smile, but I’m pretty sure he’s more like a snarling wolf.

I don’t need to say anything. His threat is clear: play along or Mom gets it. Orsino’s never been violent towards her, which is honestly a minor miracle, but he can make her life hell in a thousand other ways, and I’m sure my stepfather is pretty creative when it comes to being a cruel fucker. I don’t need to find out how low he can sink.

When the men are gone, I grab my phone and fire off a text. I should probably think about this first, but I’m too shocked, and for some reason, he’s the first person I want to talk to.

Alana: You didn’t tell me we were getting married today.

And he replies right away, as if he was waiting for my message.

Carlo: I didn’t know. Just found out ten minutes ago.

Alana: I don’t believe you.

But he doesn’t reply. I throw my phone on the pillow, shove my face against the mattress, and scream into my sheets. I scream hard enough that the veins in my neck bulge and I feel like I might pass out, at least until there’s a little knock at my door, and a pair of feet patter over to the side of my bed.

“Lana? Are you okay?”

I take big, deep breaths, and look up. Niccolo’s staring at me, wide-eyed and terrified. He must’ve heard me losing my freaking mind and I scared the kid half to death. He’s way too sensitive for a mafia family like this, and I wonder all the time how he’s going to survive when he gets older. He’s still only seven and in first grade, which means Orsino isn’t trying to beat the kid into shape yet, but that’s coming. I’ve tried to shelter him the best I could, which hasn’t been all that much. Now it’s up to him to figure out how to navigate the fucked-up family he was born into all alone, and that breaks my damn heart.

“I’m good, big guy,” I say and he climbs into bed with me. “Just got some bad news, that’s all. I’m totally fine.”

“What kind of bad news?”

“I’m getting married today.” Might as well be honest with him. Kids can handle more than we give them credit for.

“Married? To who? I thought I was your best friend.”

I smile to myself and remember that I told him two people get married when they’re best friends and love each other. I guess he figured we’d get married one day.

“His name is Carlo. And you’ll always be my best friend, but this is complicated. It’s grown-up stuff.”

“Sounds terrible. I’m not a fan.”

“Everyone acts like they love being adults, but I think we all secretly hate it.”

“Are you sad you’re getting married?”

I pull him against me and hug him tight. He squirms a little, trying to get away. The older he gets, the less he wants me to hug him and cuddle with him, which means I have to enjoy it when I can.

“I’m fine, kiddo. I just need to shower and start getting ready, okay?”

“Cool,” he says and hops out of bed. “Can I watch Turtles on my tablet?”

“Sure, buddy. Go ahead.”

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