Page 81 of Wild Ace

“Yes, ma. She’s from AC and is in her senior year of college studying psychology and business.”

“Will I get to meet her? You should have brought her tonight.”

“Tonight is about Alec and Tessa, not me.”

“What do you mean?”

Oh, shit.

I forgot no one else knows they’re using tonight to make their announcement.

“Nothing. Just that I didn’t want tonight to be about scrutinizing my girl.”

“Your girl.” My mom grins knowingly, pulling me in for a hug. “I’m happy for you, son,” she whispers to me, giving me an extra squeeze.

“Thanks, ma.”

“Alright everyone, time to eat,” my aunt Anita announces.

I head into the kitchen to help bring out the dishes, and when we’re all seated around the table, Alec clears his throat and stands. “This isn’t just our usual Sunday dinner,” he starts, looking down at Tessa who’s smiling up at him. “We waited until everyone was together to tell you that Tessa’s pregnant.”

Bursts of excitement and echoes of congratulations ring out around the table.

“But there’s more.” Alec holds his hand out and Tessa takes it, standing at his side. “When we found out a month ago, we eloped.”

“What?!” Anita yells. “You got married without your own mother? Without your family?”

“I’m sorry, ma, but I’m not putting any stress on Tessa or the baby just to have a ceremony that tells all of you what you already know.”

“But we will be having a wedding,” Tessa says, smacking Alec in the stomach with the back of her hand. “He already promised me one.” She smiles, rubbing her stomach nonchalantly.

“Good. Because I want to see my son marry you,” Anita says, taking her napkin and patting under her eyes. “I’m happy for you two.” She stands and hugs them both first, and then everyone else around the table follows suit.

♠ ♣ ♥ ♦

This dinner is a lively one, with the happiness of another union in the family. Leo and Abrianna’s wedding is in a few months, and that, I know, is going to be a huge production.

The head of the Carfano family is getting married, and that will bring together every extended member of our family as well as the heads of the other three families – Melcciona, Capriglione, and Antonucci. It was four others, but there aren’t any more Cicariellos to speak of to represent them.

Weddings are neutral ground. There’s no business discussed or bad blood spilled. It’s a day to show off your family and a day to show your power. And believe me, we’re going to show a lot of power that day.

After dinner, the plates are cleared, more wine is poured, and dessert is served. In between, though, I excuse myself to the bathroom and check my phone to see if I have any texts or missed calls from Lexi, but there’s nothing.

I press the call button by her name and it goes straight to voicemail. I try again, but still nothing.

Fuck.

I know I’m about to enter my crazy, possessive, and over protective mode, but I can’t reel any of it back in. I can’t shake the uneasiness in the pit of my stomach.

I send Nico a text to meet me in the hallway, and he shows up a few seconds later.

“Did you really just text me to meet you here?”

“Yes. Do you have Cassie’s number?”

“Why?”

“Nico, I’m not messing around. Do you have it? I can’t shake that something is wrong and I need to make sure Lexi is okay.”

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