Page 134 of Forced Vows

"I thought you smoothed things over after her birthday." I hate the look of disappointment in my brother's eyes.

I don't let my family down. Ever.

"They were. We had hella good sex and she loved the birthday presents I gave her." Why would she ask her uncle for a different groom?

It makes no sense.

"Sex doesn't fix everything."

"Did you get that wisdom from Catalina or Cosmo?"

"My wife has mentioned it a time, or two."

Or ten, I bet. "Listen, Sev, Róise and I texted back and forth all week. She wasn't looking to get out of our contract."

"She's doesn't want to break the contract."

"Just marry some other guy. That will happen over my dead body," I warn my brother.

It looks like my secret fiancée and I need to have a talk.

~ ~ ~

When I see the three empty spots at the dining room table, I decide to mess with my cousin. Smiling at my aunt, I sit in one of the empty chairs near her clearly meant for the couple.

Pretending not to hear my aunt's hissed, "That's Salvatore's chair," I pour myself a glass of wine from one of the decanters in the center of the table.

I haven't even taken a sip when my cousin pulls out the chair next to me for Bianca.

"Where is Nerissa?" she asks.

My aunt gives me a disapproving frown. "She's working tonight." Her tone is nothing but sweet for the pretty redhead though.

I have to admit Salvatore has good taste, but green eyes are the only ones I want to look into this close up. Doesn't matter. Messing with my cousin is the goal, not his girlfriend.

I'm ready for the punch when it comes so I don't flinch, but cazzo, my cousin's punch carries some power.

"Move, Miceli, this is my seat," he growls like some damn Neanderthal.

I go to take a sip of my wine. "Catalina didn't assign seats tonight."

Salvatore grabs the glass and marches around the table. He's lucky the stem on my wineglass doesn't break when he slams it down on the table. "I'm assigning them. Move your ass."

Aunt Ilaria gasps. "Salvatore, you cannot speak to the don's underboss that way."

"That's rich coming from you." I'm not sure who the glare is for, but I get that I'm not the only one on Salvatore's list right now.

I wonder what Aunt Ilaria did to earn his ire. It wasn't criticizing Bianca. My aunt likes the enigmatic younger woman too much.

Catalina smiles at me. She's used to my warped humor. "Miceli, come and sit by me. I want you here when me and Severu make our announcement."

Ah, they are finally going to share their news. Not that I'm supposed to know what it is, but hello? We live in the same damn space. What else is going to cause her to turn up her nose and go green over her favorite foods?

"Have you got a bun in the oven, cara?" I ask, sitting beside her.

"Don't call my wife endearments," Sev orders. Then both joy and utter determination take over the irritation in his face. "We're expecting the next little De Luca around Christmas."

I know what that determination is about. Sev is going to make sure his family is safe if he has to burn down hell to do it. Becoming godfather and making powerful alliances are a given.

---