Page 67 of New Orleans Collection

I don’t know how the stars aligned and I was only left with Giovanni tonight, but it took some of the pressure off and I didn’t have to try to fuck all three of my men into a coma while staying awake myself. Just one. I almost want to pat myself on the back, but it’s not a good idea to celebrate too early. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Viola, who hasn’t had a drink all night, obviously, is giddy because she’s out and not trapped at home with her own overprotective trio, wraps her arms around my neck. “I’m so glad you were able to come out with us,” she gushes, her voice loud for no fucking reason considering the music isn’t blaring or anything.

Her excitement is infectious, however, and I find myself smiling at her. “I’m glad I could come out too.”

Not a lie. I’m glad to be out, but the guilt from leaving while Gio was asleep along with the knowledge that no one I’m out with knows about my little stalker problem, if that is what it is, is eating me alive. Then there’s the secret that the Guidice brothers have been staying with me for two weeks now. It feels like I’m carrying around the weight of it all and it’s pulling me down with every breath I take.

I hate keeping things, especially when it’s big, from those I care about.

I’m not even sure what is holding me back from telling them, at least, about the guys. Considering no one batted an eye about Viola being in a committed relationship with three men, I’m not worried about anyone reacting badly to it. I think it’s because of who I’m in a relationship with.

Will Viola be pissed? Will mom not approve? Would Dad, because there’s no way mom would keep it from him, flip the fuck out? Then there’s my brother and his reaction.

The questions swirling through me, along with how pissed I know my men are going to be, are making it difficult for me to have a good time even though I’m surrounded by people I love. I fucking hate this.

“You’ve been quiet,” Viola muses, her voice soft so only I can hear her.

“I was just thinking,” I keep my voice casual, but she still looks at me in the way only best friends can—like they’re seeing so much more than you’re willing to show them.

She leans further into me and whispers, “Is it whoever has been making you glow? Are you thinking about them?”

I gasp and rear back like she just slapped me and Viola giggles as she wiggles her eyebrows at me. “How do you,” I start and then press my lips together when she grins knowingly. I shake my head and try again, “There’s no one.”

“Liar,” she accuses and waves her finger in front of my face.

I narrow my eyes at her and try to deflect, “Are you sure you haven’t had anything to drink?”

She scoffs and shakes her head. “I’m punch drunk on being out of the house with my favorite ladies,” she exclaims while making a sweeping motion with her hand to encompass everyone sitting around the table with us at The Sanctuary. “We haven’t done this in a long time.”

I nod solemnly and realize she’s right. Between her falling in love and whatever is going on with me, we haven’t done this in far too long. My shoulders slump with the realization and Viola reaches over to give my hand a squeeze.

“Wipe that look off your face,” she commands. “I didn’t say something about it to make you feel bad or anything. We’ve both had a lot going on and we aren’t the only ones.”

She inclines her head toward Wrenly and can’t help but smile. I love that my brother is happy and has found the woman who completes him. He deserves it and so much more. Knowing that they’re trying for a baby, and I could be an aunt soon is exciting.

“You’re right,” I agree and sigh, “but still.” I sit up a little straighter. “We should have a standing girl’s night out every few weeks. Then we can look forward to it and make it a whole thing. Like date night but with the important women in our lives.”

Viola’s eyes get soft, and she nods enthusiastically. “I love that idea.”

When I take a sip of my drink, she sits back in her chair, and I take a moment to admire the renovated church that houses The Sanctuary. It’s a beautiful building with a classic, gothic feel, but modern touches throughout. My favorite part is the old stained glass still in place. So much of the building needed to be changed and renovated but the beautiful rosette was perfect.

Viola curses under her breath and I turn around to find the Falsini triplets have walked into the bar. Their eyes are trained on my best friend, and they do not look happy. That would be enough, but what has me freezing in place are the three Guidice brothers, my men to be exact, standing next to them with looks of hellfire on their faces.

My stomach flips and I know a whole lot more than I’m comfortable with is going to be said and there isn’t a damn thing I’m going to be able to do about it. Even if I tried to stop them, they wouldn’t hear me.

They’re all wearing matching scowls that scream about how they think they know best and that’s all there is to it.

I sigh and speak to Viola out of the side of my mouth, “Why do your men look pissed?”

Viola mumbles, “I might have left the house without telling them I was coming here or how long I would be out.”

My head swings around to look at my best friend as she picks up the virgin strawberry margarita she’s been drinking. When she meets my eyes, I can see the sparkle of mischief there. “Viola,” I chastise her, “you know they’re just worried about you and it’s not like they have no reason to be.”

“I’m pregnant. I’m not some ancient vase that is so old, valuable, and priceless,” she hisses the words at me.

I can only sigh. “They were worried about you before you got pregnant.” I drop my voice even lower, “You were kidnapped, and they could have lost you.”

My chest constricts at the thought because I could have lost her too and she’s the only sister I have ever truly known. Viola nods and her shoulders slump down.

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