Page 18 of Till Death Do Us Part

She wasn’t wrong. Rocco detested the alliance and thus her.

“And,” she went on a bit more sheepishly, “Dario shared with me what you said about your wedding night.”

I looked down.

Inhaling, I looked back up and squared my shoulders. “I don’t want your or anyone’s sympathy or pity.”

“I’m not giving you either. I’m giving you respect, Mia. You survived a horrible marriage with a man who never deserved to marry the capo’s daughter. Aléjandro is a lot of things.” She smiled. “Arrogant comes to mind.”

That made me smile.

“He is also first in line to assume control over the Roríguez cartel. He never wanted to marry Jasmine. Neither Dario nor Jorge would allow that anyway.” When I started to talk, she went on. “Because as much as Dario loves Jasmine, and I do too, she isn’t part of the famiglia. Jorge didn’t see her as worthy for his son. He saw you as worthy.”

“Oh God. You’re not going to help me stop this.”

Catalina shook her head.

“Then at least help me find the wine.”

Catalina hooked her arm with mine. “I can do that.”

“Even though your husband told me not to drink?”

“I think you know what’s expected of you tonight. I see nothing wrong with a glass of wine to take the edge off. You can even have one for me.” She smiled. “Maybe you’ll even decide this marriage won’t be too bad.”

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

A few minutes later, Catalina and I returned to the parlor. I had my full glass of wine. Out of respect for my capo, I left the bottle in the kitchen. “Cheers,” I said as we entered.

Dario didn’t say a word about my wine. Instead, he looked down at his phone and announced that two cars of the cartel have passed the front gate.

“Dario?” It was my last plea.

His face was emotionless. “Mia, I know you’ll make the famiglia proud tonight and throughout your marriage.”

I sucked in a breath. “Is it easier to deal with the whores at Emerald Club or to make your sister into a whore?”

“Mia,” Mom chastised. “You’re an adult. Start acting like one.”

“And spread my legs?”

“You’re not a whore,” Dario said. He’d said the same thing the night he gave me the news. “And without question, you’re more trouble than all the whores at the club.”

I’d take the small victories where I could.

I lifted my glass to my lips, hiding my smile.

“Jorge,” Dario went on, “wasn’t able to make it tonight. He and his wife will be at the wedding. Catalina’s parents and brother have accompanied Aléjandro and his brother Reinaldo.”

By the smile on Catalina’s face, she was already aware of her parents’ arrival.

“Do they know about the baby?” Mom asked.

“My parents do,” Catalina said. “Em doesn’t nor do the Roríguezes.”

“That’s the answer,” I volunteered. “Let’s forget the engagement part of this evening and spend our time celebrating my new nephew or niece.”

“Tonight is about you,” Catalina said.

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