Page 88 of Third Degree

As I heard the doorbell ring, Elio headed downstairs. Julian’s and Tatum’s voices reached my ears. Elio had informed me that they knew this house belonged to him, but they hadn’t anticipated my presence. Julian had assured him that he wouldn’t say anything to Tatum unless she inquired, and thankfully, she didn’t.

I splashed some water on my face and then heard the doorbell ring again. Now, I could hear Maeve’s and Chels’s voices downstairs as well.

“Game time,” I whispered to myself, mustering up the remaining courage I had amidst the whirlwind of the past few days.

Finally ready, I descended the stairs.

I could hear everyone in the living room, which gave me a few more feet before I was going to be in front of them. I hated confrontation, but I tried to remind myself that this was the last lie I had to unfold before I could start actually living. I took a deep, centering breath before I was in front of my friends.

“Hey, guys.” My voice cracked and was very low.

My friends’ faces showed pure shock at my presence. I looked over and saw Elio and Julian making their way outside into the garden. Elio flashed me a look of concern, but I nodded at him. It was our unspeakable language.

“Daphne?” Chels was the first one to get up and then run over to me and envelop me in a giant bear hug. “What the heck?” She pulled away for a moment before drawing me back into another tight embrace.

“Daphne!” Tatum and Maeve sprinted over, and we all shared a big group hug for a moment.

“Should we sit?” I asked them, and the four of us took a seat on the couch.

“Spill,” Tatum demanded.

“Why are you here at Elio’s house?” Maeve narrowed her eyes at me.

I let out a nervous laugh. “So, I guess I have a lot to tell you.”

“Uh, duh!” Chelsea exclaimed.

So I explained. I told them how I grew up in a Mafia family, and because of a deal that was made, I was able to live in San Diego for a time. That I didn’t want any part of that life anymore. How I had met Elio when I was eighteen years old. That he was the one who sacrificed himself to give me my freedom. I spilled everything, and it felt so good to get it all off my chest.

“So then my parents told me I had to get married. I thought I was walking down the aisle to a stranger. It was a surprise to me when I realized it was Elio standing there waiting for me.”

Tatum’s jaw was the first to drop, followed by Chelsea’s and Maeve’s.

“Wait,” Maeve finally spoke first.

“This is so much to digest, but am I hearing this correctly—?” Chels started.

“Are you married to my father-in-law?!” Tatum squealed, her face filled with both disgust and disbelief.

“Well, technically, I didn’t know he was your father-in-law when I first met him—” I began to speak but was quickly interrupted.

“Oh my God. I mean honestly, I totally suspected this after I saw his hand on yours the entire wedding.” Chels’s jaw was wide open in shock.

“I mean, so did I, if I’m being honest,” Maeve interjected.

“Well, same, but when it’s spoken out loud that you actuallymarriedmy father-in-law… Dear God.” Tatum ran her hands through her hair, but her attitude told me that she wasn’t livid, just shocked. “Wait, did Julian know?”

So I told her about how odd I thought it was when I saw Julian first. He stood there stoically the entire time but had been quite supportive. I also mentioned that Alex was there as well.

“Julian Marchetti!” Tatum screamed and jumped from the couch.

“Alex was there?” Chels choked up, and I shot her a sympathetic look.

“He looked good.”

She nodded, and I knew it was a conversation for another time because, quickly, Julian came bounding in.

“What’s wrong, little bear?” He was immediately by her side. She slapped his arm. “What the fuck?” He looked over at me, and I shrugged. It was best to feign innocence in this case.

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