Page 71 of Convenient Mafia Vows

The glitz and glamor are evident in the restaurant too, and I wonder if the décor in each building reflects the brothers’ personalities. The sleek black charm of the Wraith and the extravagant glam sparkle of the Titan.

“So, how is married life with my brother treating you?” A half-smile plays on Bash’s lips.

Color immediately rises from my neck to my cheeks, and I wish that I could control it. “It’s … different.”

Bash laughs; it’s an easy infectious sound. “I see Caleb has made an impression on you.”

Fuck!Is it that obvious? I lower my eyes and pray that Moira doesn’t notice or ask him what he means.

She doesn’t. “Ignore my son, Victoria.”

She helps herself to brandy from a decanter on the table and offers to fill my glass. I decline and sip my iced water instead. I don’t know how they all drink so much liquor and still function like normal human beings.

“Victoria has her own ideas about the ballroom for the wedding reception,” she continues. “Whatever she wants…” She leaves the sentence hanging.

“Sure thing. You’re family now.” He winks at Moira who raises her glass to an invisible toast.

I wish I could read their expressions or their body language, but these people might as well be aliens from another planet, and I feel so out of my depth that I sip my water waiting for a suitable response to spring to mind.

I almost choke on the liquid when a woman approaches the table and says my name. Heart racing, I peer around to find Denise watching me as if she had just seen a ghost.

“Denise.” I hear the tremor in my own voice. I realize how it must look and feel guilty for not telling Denise what happened after Caleb fired me from the concierge position.

“You two know each other?” Bash asks.

“Yes… I… That is, Denise knows my mom.”

I stand and excuse myself from the table so that I can speak to Denise out of earshot. When we are alone in the corridor outside the restaurant, I suck in a deep breath, psyching myself up to explain what’s going on.

“Denise, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner but… It all happened so quickly, and when I tried to find you, you were not at the Wraith, and then it all kind of spiraled out of control, and…”

It’s such a crazy, unbelievable situation that I don’t know how she will react to the news that I’m married to her boss, and I realize that I still desperately want her to be on my side.

“And…?” Her voice is cold, and my stomach is lurching.

Deep breath. Here goes. “After Caleb Murray fired me, he came to me with a proposition. He asked me to marry him. On paper. We’re not really married, at least, there hasn’t been a wedding.” The words are tumbling out, and I glance around to make sure that no one can hear us. “It’s a long story.”

“Wow.” Denise blinks at me. “So, you’re here because…”

“Because we’re going to hold our wedding reception at the Titan. Ourfakewedding reception.”

Denise shakes her head, trying to process the news. “You and Caleb Murray.”

I wince. “I know how crazy it sounds. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

She narrows her eyes. “Or right place, right time, depending on how you look at it.”

“I’ve never met anyone like Caleb Murray before.” I blurt it out before I can stop myself. “He’s going to help us, Denise. He’s going to give me enough money to clear Mason’s debts.” It occurs to me then that she doesn’t know about Mason, but I don’t want to overload her with information.

Finally, after what feels like an age, Denise shrugs. “Will I get an invitation?”

I smile. “Of course.” Pause. “But, Denise, please don’t tell Mom.”

She regards me coolly. “If that’s what you want. I guess it’s better coming from you, anyway.”

“Thank you.” I hug her tightly.

She pulls away and teases a lock of my hair over my shoulder. “Just be careful, Victoria. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

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