Page 56 of Rescued By the Mafia

Dante led them up the wide steps, through the doors that swung open for them, and into a home somehow grander than his own. For a lingering moment, as Iris let her gaze roam over the foyer and its continuingly cliché sparkling chandelier and perfectly polished floors, she wondered how that was possible. Dante’s home was so large. So consuming. So overwhelming. Then she remembered, as the click-clack of heels reached her ears, that Dante was not the first De Salvo to lead the family.

This had once been the Boss’s home. So it made sense for it to be a presence in and of itself.

Eleonora swept into the space through the left angled archway, arms spread and emphasizing the draping semi-sheer lace of her half-slit sleeves. “Dante, Iris, you’ve come!” The dress she wore was entirely a deep, faintly sparkling blue, like the midnight sky. It was perfectly tucked around her petite frame and hung all the way to her ankles.

Iris immediately felt underdressed, despite having worn the nicest dress Eleonora had gotten for her. I really need to get some shopping done. Not that she could even imagine buying something as timelessly beautiful as Eleonora’s gown, let alone wearing it.

Dante stepped forward and obliged his mother with a short, tight hug. “Has anyone else arrived yet?”

“Michele’s been here for a little while,” Eleonora said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I think he just got bored.” She moved up to Iris, eyeing her openly. “I’ll admit I thought that dress might be a bit of a risk when I bought it, but now that I see you in it, dear, it’s quite stunning.”

Iris felt her cheeks flush and fought the urge to avert her gaze. “Thank you.”

Eleonora took her by the arm and pulled her into a hug. “Don’t be so shy! We’re family, after all!” She turned and started back toward the hall, motioning for them to follow. “I’m told dinner’s almost ready, so hopefully your other brother’s on time tonight. In the meantime, tell me all about your wedding plans. When’s the big day? You have picked a date, haven’t you? Have you decided on a venue?”

Iris curled her arm around Dante’s and she was fairly certain she felt him swallow a sigh as she fell into step at his side.

“Mother,” he said, his tone calm, “we’ve had a few things going on. I promise you won’t be left out of the wedding.”

Eleonora stopped barely a foot into a sprawling space and faced them again, hands settling on her hips. “What could possibly be more important than this?” Her eyes lit up. “Oh, unless—”

“No.”

Iris held tighter to Dante’s arm and prayed her expression didn’t flinch.

“We’ll be married before winter,” Dante said. “I was hoping you could talk to your tailor about making the dress.”

Iris gaped up at him, barely aware of his mother doing the same a few feet away. They had talked about ideas for the wedding—mostly her slowly evolving fantasy of one and whether or not he preferred a more church-based ceremony, which he did not—but they hadn’t settled on much of anything. Or at least, that had been her interpretation.

Except he wasn’t willing to wait until spring. He’d agreed to an outdoor ceremony. And she’d agreed to him.

Iris composed herself, belatedly hearing his mother’s enthusiastic agreement to call her tailor first thing in the morning, and said, “I’ve always wanted an outdoor wedding, so we’re looking for a nice place for that.”

Mikey piped up from somewhere beyond Eleonora. “Oh, you’ve stepped in it now, sis.”

Eleonora’s eyes lit up and she motioned excitedly. “Iris, come with me and tell me what you think. I have just the space!”

Iris was struggling to pick her jaw back up off the floor, so she blinked up at Dante, who only shrugged. Leaving the decision up to her. Had he not heard what his brother had just said? Iris did her best to gather herself, untangled her arm from his, and followed in Eleonora’s enthusiastic wake through the mansion. Her future mother-in-law led her all the way to the back of the home, to a pair of French doors, and pulled one open before stepping aside to let her through.

Iris obligingly stepped outside, far enough to make room for Eleonora, and let her eyes drink in the luscious greenery and stone work before her. There were vines and still-blooming flowers, perfectly trimmed hedge bushes and garden paths. There was even a small, tasteful fountain. And off to the side, there was a sizable lawn space. It might once have been perfect for rambunctious boys, or unleashed dogs, or even backyard games.

It could still be perfect for an outdoor wedding ceremony.

Tears burned behind Iris’s eyes and she bit down on her lips until the threat of them receded. Dante had a nice yard, probably comparable in size, but it wasn’t built up like this. It was more stone and lawn and less garden. She did like it, but this … was more her taste.

“Well?” Eleonora asked softly. She laid her fingertips on Iris’s arm. “Could it work for you, dear?”

She opened her mouth to insist on consulting her fiancé, as it was a them thing and not a her thing, but he’d deliberately left her to this. So instead she gave her answer. “Yes. I love it.”

Eleonora smiled brightly.

“Then we’ll have it here,” Dante said from behind her.

Iris let herself gaze out at the yard one more time, then turned toward him with a grateful smile. “Is it time to eat yet?”

seventeen

Best Laid Plans

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