Page 3 of Triplets for the Mafia Prince

I hesitate, not wanting to burden her with our father’s debauched lifestyle. Then again, she’s supposed to house Bella. “I have to pick up his newly betrothed.”

She makes a face that suggests she feels sick inside. It’s exactly how I feel.

“He wants her to stay with you until the wedding.”

She shakes her head. “Why does he even pretend? Like it will make a difference that he waits to hurt them until he’s married to them?”

“He’s fucking sadist.” I blow out a breath. “If you want, I can make other arrangements for her.”

“Yeah, can you give her a fake identity and send her to Timbuktu so she doesn’t have to marry him?”

I wish I could.

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I know there’s nothing you can do. Of course, I’ll host her and do what I can to make her comfortable."

"Thank you. And Gia? Be careful around him while I'm gone, okay?" These are the times I miss my best friend, Max. Like me, he was tasked by Gia’s mother, my stepmother, to watch over her. In fact, he’s Gia’s godfather. But my father sent him to Las Vegas five years ago to run that part of our business. I haven’t found anyone I trust more to watch out for Gia and the kids when I’m away.

She nods. “I have no plans to be in his path.” She tilts her head. “The holidays are upon us. Will you join us for Thanksgiving? The kids have convinced me to get a Christmas tree to decorate that night.”

I laugh. “It will die before Christmas.”

“I’ll buy a fake one. It’ll be fun.”

I nod. “Okay. I’ll be there.”

I forget about my fucked-up father and the task I need to do for him tomorrow. Instead, I enjoy pizza with my sister and her kids, savoring these moments when we feel like a real family. Tomorrow, I’ll deal with the heinous act of bringing an innocent nineteen-year-old girl into a house of horrors.

2

BELLA

Izip up my suitcase, nervous and excited. This is it. The day I've been both dreading and anticipating has arrived. In just a few hours, I'll be on my way to New York to marry Don Gino Nardone.

“Bella, are you sure you’ve packed everything you need right away? We won’t be able to ship the rest for a day or two,” my mother asks. She’s all business right now, wanting to ensure I make a good impression on my new family instead of thinking about sending her daughter away.

“Yes.” My gaze sweeps over the boxes of my items that will be sent to me. “And if not, I can buy it in New York.” I’m excited about the idea of shopping in New York. Chicago is a great city, but New York is… well… New York.

“Can we come visit you?” Sofia, my seventeen-year-old sister, asks.

“I hope so?—”

“Bella will have too much to do to entertain guests,” my mother says, not noticing how her attitude ruins the fun excitement of the moment. For me, it brings a flicker ofuncertainty. I know how Mafia families work, but still, I’m hopeful for some freedom to explore New York.

“Will you see the big Christmas tree?” Gianna, my youngest sister, asks.

“I hope so. I don’t know when they put it up.” Except for my sisters, my family isn’t warm and loving like on TV. Even so, I feel a pang of homesickness that I won’t be home for Christmas.

“Sofia and Gianna, leave us so I can talk to Bella in private,” my mom says, shooing my sisters to the door.

“What about Ava?”

I glance at Ava sitting in my window seat. She’s quiet and pensive to the point of looking worried.

“Ava can stay. She’s a grown woman now.”

I sit on the edge of my bed, watching as Sofia and Gianna reluctantly leave the room.

My mother shuts the door and then turns to me with a serious expression. "Bella, we need to talk.” She perches herself next to me.

---