Page 72 of Donned in Black

“Donny might consider that cheating! He knows I’m a masochist. Ahh!”

“C’mere, let me get you into more trouble, then!” I chase him then stop when I see Scar, his wife, and the Sicilians enter the house. “John, good to see you.” I double-kiss him.

“Congratulations, Ellie. This is a happy day.” He holds up an expensive-looking vase that matches perfectly with the new décor.

“Oh my, I love it.”

He nods to his wife. “Interior decorator over here. I can’t take all the credit.”

I thank Marissa, and am happy we’re allowed to host the women now too since Donny moved his prisoners.

Sabrina and I take turns checking on the sauce, and when everyone is telling stories at the dinner table – munching on the antipasto – I throw a mountain of angel hair into the vat and let it boil for a few minutes. The feast is grand, and compliments come all around.

I insisted on cooking because it makes me feel good to feed Donny. As free as I am, I want to be his servant… it’s part of my sickness, I guess.

I sit next to him, and we tell the story of how he bridged the Rigiano and Valentino families. He’s careful to only say constructive things about my father. A Don’s words are gold. In the end it’s a great story and an even better surprise. One that I’m still beaming about.

Blood rushes to my face when Donny grabs my hand under the table. It dwarfs mine. The gentle squeeze tells me that he’s proud of me for hosting such a lovely night, and after that, the wine takes over.

I nurse a glass of chardonnay and cheers with the ladies every time to get them a little bit drunker. I want them to laugh and celebrate our union. I want them to remember.

By the end of the night, half of us are in the hot tub. Sal’s in his tighty-whitey underwear, which makes everyone laugh, and Rosario tells a funny story about late Vinny buying four loaves of Italian bread and having to go back to the store when he got home because he came in empty-handed.

“Eyyy, put that thing down, Ellie, Jesus.” Sal holds up his hands to shield himself. “It’s blinding me.”

I blush and flash the ring for the fifth time tonight upon request.

The girls shake their heads with wide eyes. “Just beautiful, sweetie.”

I shrug and pet Donny’s shoulder, then excuse myself.

Sal whistles as the shift from hot water to cold air makes my skin tighten, and Donny kicks him under the water.

“Can’t shut this guy up if I tried,” Sal’s girlfriend says.

I roll my eyes. “Better to just let him get it out. It’s fun to watch Donny beat the crap out of him.”

The boys laugh.

I wrap a towel around me and wipe my feet on the welcome mat before going back inside. The other, less wet half of the party is still gathered around the table. Their voices are excessively loud, which is good, because that means everyone is drunk and enjoying themselves.

I sneak up the stairs and put down my wine glass on the master-bedroom sink. I’ve been nursing one glass the whole night… because my period is two weeks late. I fling the cabinets open and dig all the way in the back, to the last of a three-stick pregnancy test pack.

So far all have been negative. But I have this funny feeling that something’s up.

I pee on it and stare.

My heart rate quickens in anticipation. I tell myself to relax, because I got worked up like this the last two times. Though when I see a plus sign, my breath catches in my throat.

Chapter 23

Donny

The next day I’m pretty fucking hungover. I’m sweating it out the best I can at the gym, but I feel like sluggish shit. I hate being out of control. Last night was special, though. It was good to let loose.

I pump the weights high in the air. Military presses, hammer curls, and two miles on the treadmill snap me out of my daze, and when I head back upstairs with a towel around my neck, I see Ellie staring at me suggestively.

No, not suggestively. She looks… guilty?

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