Page 135 of Forced Vows

I pull my sister-in-law into a tight hug. "Congratulations. The baby couldn't ask for a better mom."

Then I stand up and grab my brother. "I'm happy for you brother. You have my word that I will lay down my life for your child."

Sev gives a jerky nod of acknowledgement to my vow.

He insists we all drink sparkling juice rather than champagne so Catalina can share completely in the toast.

My brother, the scariest don in New York is a sentimental sap for this woman.

There's nothing sappy about him when we learn Don Caruso has had another stroke. Mamma's lunch with the godfather isn't going to happen.

The margins in our timeline for our plans just disappeared too. The next weeks are going to be crazy busy and fraught with danger.

"Send out a message," he orders me. "Security is on yellow alert for the foreseeable future."

I nod and start typing out a text that will go to all the capos and their seconds. Then I start making calls. Just like Salvatore.

We have people to put in place and mafia leaders to sway toward Severu for godfather.

Chapter 44: RÓISE

Trailed by my security detail, Traci and I walk through the Quad after a special guest lecture. None of the others are attending the Saturday bonus series on obscure plays but we geek out over the same things.

We discuss the similarities and differences in comedic timing between now and when Bartholomew Fair was written in the seventeenth century as we walk, reaching the parking area before we know it.

"Who's that?" Traci asks, pointing to a guy leaning against a sleek, black motorcycle . "It looks like he's watching us."

A guy? More like the guy. "Uh, that's Miceli."

"Miceli who? Is this a date?" she asks eagerly.

A date? Probably not. Not with that forbidding expression giving the underboss's features a demonic air.

Shoot. I knew Uncle Brogan would tell on me to the De Lucas eventually, but I expected him to try to change my mind at least once more before he did it.

"He's uh…" What do I say?

If I pretend he's just a friend, when the engagement is announced, Traci will think I lied to her.

Traci's eyes narrow distrustfully. "He looks scary intense."

"He's my boyfriend," I blurt out.

And I'm not scared. Those goosebumps are because of the chilly spring air. I should have worn a thicker jacket.

Traci stops and drags me to a halt with her. "You have a boyfriend? Since when?"

"We've been together since February." Miceli's voice sends more not-scared shivers through me.

"What's wrong with you that she's hidden you from her friends?" Traci is always blunt.

Even with mafia underbosses, I guess. Not that she knows what Miceli is, and I don't plan on telling her.

Wearing head-to-toe black leather and scuffed boots, with a dark five o'clock shadow, he looks more like a biker than a billionaire mafia underboss.

"I asked her to. Our families didn't want the media getting hold of the story before we were ready."

Traci gasps. "You're in the mob too?"

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