Page 17 of Reign of Commotion

“We’re going to convince him to stay here where we can look after him.We’ll make him the caretaker of our new place.There’s a small garage we’ll turn into an apartment.You gotta work on him, babe,” he stresses.

“He won’t be able to see his wife and daughter every day,” I say.

“They’re dead.”

“He goes to the cemetery every day.It’s what he does.That’s why he never left,” I explain.

“We can have them moved if that’s what it takes.”Julian lets out a breath.“Alessio’s pissed because our shipments are being attacked.Barry may be our only lead, and you’re the key to getting us into his mind.He trusts you.He’ll talk to you.Do you understand?”

“I get it.I’ll make sure he understands that Carol and Jessica are better off in a peaceful resting place here, and we’ll get them to a place close by where I can take him to them every day.He wants them to be safe.”

“Babe—”

“He knows they’re not physically here, but they’re in here.”I point to my heart.“His mind still lives in the world where Carol watches him come home and kisses him on the cheek and his little daughter sits on his knee.His whole world changed, and he hasn’t been able to adjust.”

“You’ve babied him.Maybe he needs another perspective.Once you’re done, I’ll talk to him,” Julian says.“I gotta have a word with Dad after dinner and fill him in.Let’s go eat.”He pushes on my hip to move me away, but I circle my arms around his neck instead.

“I won’t let you down.I’llget Barry to talk to us.”Then I do what I never imagined and brush my lips over his before I slip off his lap.The crease in his brow relents, and he comes to his feet so we can join the others for dinner.

After dinner, Joe and Julian go to his father’s study and firmly shut the door.Lilliana questions me, but I tell her that this is for Julian to share.

EIGHT

Diamonds Don’t Always Shine

MILANA

As promised, Julian was at our door by nine in the morning to bring us to Alessio’s home to meet with Josie and Valentina.He wouldn’t stop to eat, so I packed up some freshly baked carrot-and-spice muffins to start his day.

Julian was in and out within minutes of dropping us off.Alessio was waiting for him at the door, ready to go.Julian’s with Alessio this morning until he comes to get me later.Niccolo is somewhere around, but quickly makes himself scarce when the wedding talk starts.

“I have a schedule set up,” Valentina says.“I think we should get the dresses out of the way first.”She turns to me.“You’re set, but you need to have another fitting.Alicia, the seamstress from the boutique, will be here in half an hour.She’s bringing a rack of other dresses for you to choose for the bridesmaids.”

“You should choose what you like,” I interject.“I want you to be comfortable.”

“You should at least pick the colors,” Josie adds.“No black, I beg of you.This is a wedding, after all.I don’t care about all this sleek, chic stuff.It’s a celebration,” she enthuses, throwing her hands up.

“What colors do you like?”I ask Josie.

“A royal purple or a sea blue?”she responds.

“Ooh, I love that shade of blue,” Valentina says, then adds, “They have to be off the rack.There’s no way we can have them made that quickly.I’ll call Alicia and have her bring whatever she has in that shade or close to it.”

While Valentina sees to making the call to Alicia, Lilliana and Josie look through the dozens of bouquets on the florist’s website.“I like this one.”Lilliana points to a grand oversized drop bouquet with lovely white lilies and roses.It’s beautiful, but far too ostentatious for my taste.

Josie must notice my expression and gently steps in.“It’s lovely, but I think that Milana would be lost behind those flowers.The flowers are to enhance the bride.I fear these would be too much.”

“Yes, you might be right.”Lilliana sighs.I give Josie a small smile and mouththank you.She returns a grin of her own.

“I like the pale pink roses,” I say, then move the cursor to view more options on the screen.

“Pink it is, with maybe some bluebells.That would tie together the dresses nicely,” Lilliana says.

“That sounds lovely,” Valentina comments.“I think a round bouquet is better suited to Milana than an elongated one.”

“I think so too.”Josie glances at me.“What do you think?”

“I’d like to keep it simple.I like the round.”

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