Page 33 of Twins for the Mafia Heir

Fantasia might need to squeeze money out of others, but Achilles has more than enough to spare. And he doesn’t appreciate being accused of anything else.

I wonder why he doesn’t bother giving any of that money to his sister for her purposes. Is that another thing they regularly argue about?

Is that another thing that I can exploit?

“I’ll try it on,” I say again, with more confidence. Sidony claps for me, and Achilles looks down at her, his usual coldness fading, just slightly, into something warmer.

I find myself fascinated by this glimpse under his stiff exterior, a weakness he shows only to his daughter. I wonder if he’ll ever show me that side of him- of a man I might finally begin to understand.

Chapter 17

Achilles

We spend three hours putting together a full wardrobe for Raleigh, and while Sidony seems to be having the time of her life, I’m frustrated to find that Raleigh has a very poor idea of what her own personal tastes are. She doesn’t have colors or cuts she prefers to wear. She knows nothing about the coordination of fabrics or what makes shades clash. How does she have such a weak notion of how best to care for her own appearance?

It’s also clear to me that she has no idea how beautiful she is. Every time Sidony cheers for a new outfit or accessory, Raleigh struggles to accept the praise. And whenever I give her a compliment, she outright denies it, or finds some other flaw in herself.

This woman wasn’t raised properly, that much is obvious. Did Thomas and his father just keep her locked in the basement until she was old enough to marry off? How the fuck did they think that would be of service to her?

Well, regardless of the handicaps we were working with, all three of us managed to survive the ordeal, and in good spirits. And after getting her proper measurements at the tailor anddropping off her new wardrobe, we have just one more shop to drop into before we end the day.

A hush goes over Sidony and Raleigh when we walk into the jewelers. Their eyes go wide as saucers as they pass over crystal cases of glittering necklaces, brooches, bracelets, and… rings.

Fantasia told me to buy some rings, and while I’ve been putting it off all day, I can’t for any longer.

Raleigh is beginning to look uncertain as I walk her up to the displays of rings. She had a hard time picking out fine clothes for herself, so I can’t imagine how she’ll handle a wedding band encrusted with gems. Still, I know nothing about her personal tastes. I want her to make this decision, if only to prove that she can.

“Pick one,” I tell her simply. “I’ll get one to match.”

Raleigh’s mouth falls open. “I can’t-”

“Would you prefer I pick something you’ll hate?” Raleigh blinks. She looks… vaguely ill. I stifle my impatience and discomfort. “We’ll be required to wear these rings every day. Choose something that will boost your confidence or that matches your eyes. Don’t think too much about the materials or price.”

Raleigh doesn’t seem convinced, but at least she startslookingat the rings on display. A shopkeeper hurries over to help us, but I wave her away with finality. I’ve noticed over the course of the day that Raleigh gets flustered when shop attendants try to cater to her. I don’t even care if she closes her eyes and points randomly, but I want this decision to be hers since the marriage itself wasn’t.

“I… I think I like…” Raleigh’s fingers hover over the case. I can already tell the ring she wants to point to, but I can also see her hesitate, as if afraid to ask for it.

Without thinking, I take her hand in mine. She flinches, but doesn’t snatch it back. I guide her cool fingers over to the ring she’s been eyeing, and point her at it.

“This one?” I ask.

Raleigh can’t seem to answer with words, but she nods. I wave the attendant over, and she rushes to our side.

“We need this one sized,” I tell her, pointing to Raleigh’s choice. “I also want to see your assortment of men’s wedding bands in a Q and a half.”

I decide it’s time for another meal to round out the day.

This time, we leave Covent Garden for a more casual pizza parlor nearby that I’ve brought Sidony to in the past. Once again, I slip into the back to collect a payment from the chef. I don’t even realize until I’ve reemerged and see Raleigh and Sidony happily discussing pizza toppings in their booth that it didn’t even occur to me Raleigh could take this chance to run.

She didn’t take it in The Cooper’s Arms either. And when I found her sitting at the bar, she was cradling Sidony’s hand in hers like it was the most precious treasure in the world.

I try again to determine why the two of them have bonded so immediately. Is it because Raleigh is shorter than most of the people Sidony’s met in the past, and according to her child’s mind, less of a threat? Or is it Raleigh’s unusual platinum hair color? That was their first topic of conversation, after all. Or could it simply be a thing that I noticed about Raleigh myself, the first moment she spoke?

That she’s kind, and selfless, and immediately willing to protect the people she cares about?

I slide back into the booth on Sidony’s side. “What’s the decision, ladies?” I ask.

“No mushrooms!” Sidony declares, and Raleigh nods in firm agreement.

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