Page 85 of Married With Malice

My plan is to get all the mafia bullshit out of the way and devote my time to my wife. I’m encouraged by Annalisa’s good mood. All day she’s been sweet and eager to get along. As I watched her become enthralled with Sadie and Cale and their ranch, I thought my insides would liquefy from the intense ache to pull her close and never let her go.

My brother wanted us to stay. Sadie wanted us to stay. And it seemed as if Anni wouldn’t have minded.

But seeing my brother at peace in the habitat where he belongs reminded me how much Idon’tbelong there. Cale has successfully escaped from the codes and rituals and sick, murderous secrets of our kingdom.

Meanwhile, I’ve become the realm’s dark, malevolent prince.

Facing my brother and knowing he understands exactly what I’ve turned into is like catching an unwanted glimpse in the mirror in the aftermath of committing a bender of sins.

“Will you be dining alone?” the hostess asks with a bland smile.

“My wife will be joining me,” I reply, looking over my shoulder in case she’s there. Anni texted from the room ten minutes ago to say she was on her way but there’s no sign of her yet.

The hostess plucks two menus out of a pile and leads me to a table in the center of the room. “Will this do?”

“Fine.” I take a seat and accept a menu.

The lighting in here is romantically muted and the tables are all covered with traditional white linen tablecloths. In the middle of each table a single snipped rose floats in a water-filled glass tube. Flameless candles are parked on either side of the glass vase. A wise idea, considering our last experience with candles on a table.

A fast-moving waiter wearing a crisp white shirt delivers a basket of crusty bread rolls with a bowl of whipped butter. Anni isn’t a big drinker but she’ll indulge in a glass of wine if it’s on the table so I tell the guy to bring a bottle of their most expensive pinot grigio.

The sky has just finished darkening and the dinner hour should be in full swing but traffic in the dining room is sparse. One couple scrolls through their phones without speaking as they sporadically fork bites of food. A pair of elderly women talk quietly over a shared giant salad. The only lively action is happening at the long table occupied by the family we ran into when we arrived.

Jokes fly freely at that table. Laughter breaks out at least once a minute. They’re an interesting group and it’s tough to avoid listening in. A litany of other names are referenced in conversation, indicating this gang is part of a much larger tribe.

The wine arrives and I knock back a full glass of the shit without really tasting it. My fingers drum on the table and my eyes flicker with impatience to the front of the room.

When Annalisa finally walks in, my breath staggers to a halt.

She’s a vision in the sensual dress she wore to our first dinner together in Key West. A stylish black shawl is draped over her shoulders. Her hair is down, cascading in long waves.

This woman is pure art and I’m amazed.

Her smile comes with a touch of shyness as she reaches the table and sits. I should have picked my jaw up off the floor for long enough to rise and kiss her.

“You’re beautiful, Annalisa,” I say.

A warm glow spreads to her cheeks as she unfolds her napkin. She looks down, her long eyelashes kissing her cheeks. A pleased smile pulls at her mouth.

I can’t escape the idea that she seems surprised by the praise. Despite all our drama, she must know that I think she’s absolutely gorgeous.

Don’t I tell her that enough?

She scans the menu. “What are you having?”

“Just order two of whatever you pick.”

I’m not that hungry. The adrenaline of seeing Cale and then fielding a bunch of tense phone conversations about my uncle’s unseemly business has left me too keyed up to enjoy food.

Anni keeps it simple and orders two filet mignons.

Nervous silence presides over our table in stark contrast to the three brothers and their wives who are having a blast and carrying on multiple conversations at once.

Anni toys with a segment of long hair and looks over at the group every time their volume rises. This is really the first time since the Great Christmas Debacle that we’ve sat down alone together. The term ‘walking on eggshells’ was invented for situations like this.

Now I’m kicking myself for failing to bring the jewelry box with her bracelet. It’s still in my bag, which is all the way up in the room. A missed opportunity. Giving her a gift would have been a good icebreaker.

Anni rearranges her shawl to give her bare shoulders more coverage. She clears her throat and fidgets in her chair before raising her eyes to meet mine. “Cale and Sadie look really happy together.”

---