Page 71 of Forced Vows

"I don't like when people call me Fifi either. Fi's okay, but Fifi sounds like a dog," my cousin offers from the backseat once Miceli is seated behind the wheel.

I wish I was in back with her, but I'm stuck in front with Mr. Tattletale De Luca. He didn't rat me out to my uncle, but he's obviously ready to tell Fiona everything.

It better not be everything. She's too young. Even I didn't tell her the details of that night. Most of them.

I might have mentioned Ares is impressively huge in the male anatomy department. Oh, God. Please don't let her say anything about that.

Yes, that was a prayer.

I'm not big on organized religion, but if I don't believe in God, how do I believe I will see my parents again one day?

I'm not giving that up. They're waiting for me wherever Heaven is and we'll be a family again.

But the priest who buried my dad said, "As a man sows, so does he reap."

Not comforting.

I've refused to go to mass with my family ever since.

But I still pray and right now feels like a good time to ask TPTB for help.

Chapter 25: MICELI

"Tell me if anyone does it again and I'll set them straight, Fi."

I don't tell the teenager that the shortened form of his name has become as close to a term of endearment as I'll ever use with my brother, the don.

"Tell your cousin how we met in Portland," I instruct Róise as I guide the car down the long driveway. Allessio and his team are in the car ahead of us and my usual security team is in the car behind us.

Once we are married, Róise will never go anywhere without two teams.

"We met at the club," Róise says shortly and then makes an obvious attempt to change the subject. "You mentioned a cat carrier. We'll have to buy one on the way to the shelter. I doubt they sell them."

"They provide cardboard carriers with a suggested donation, but we won't be using one."

"We're stopping at a pet store on the way?" Fiona asks, her tone a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

"I bought one already. It's in the trunk." Along with everything else the retired enforcer turned pet store owner that I consulted told me Róise would need.

Apparently, a cat bed is just the beginning.

"That was nice of you." Róise sounds suspicious.

What does she think? I'm going to hold the kitten supplies in ransom for a kiss?

Memories of her lips moving under mine are having a predictable effect on my libido. This woman gets to me like no other.

I want more than a kiss from my reluctant fiancée though.

Cazzo.

"I can be nice." When it benefits me.

Not needing to have a Long Island pet store cleared of customers while the security detail mans the perimeter like what will happen shortly at the shelter is definitely a benefit.

The fact the cat carrier is pink and a special order? That's just polite. It matches the cat bed.

"Okay, Rosy. Time to spill," Fiona says from the backseat.

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