Page 144 of Married with Mayhem

“Uncle Vittorio!” Daisy is back from her nap at the cabin and she rushes into the cafeteria to greet her uncle.

He stands and a hint of a real smile battles with his face as she kisses his cheek.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Daisy says.

Big Man Bowie, his sandy curls stuffed into a backwards baseball cap, trots over next.

“Hey, dude,” he says to Vittorio. He offers his fist for a bump.

Vittorio simply stares at him in confusion. Big Man Bowie’s solution is to offer a hug, slapping Vittorio’s back like they’re old frat brothers. He’s lucky not to get stabbed.

Daisy is in a hurry to see her mother so she pulls her husband away, but only after making us promise we’ll be right behind them.

“Hey,” Big Man Bowie says while Daisy tries to tow him out of the room. “You want a burger, Uncle Vittorio? I’ll make you an awesome burger!”

Vittorio’s response is a glare. I’m sure he’ll get a burger anyway.

“By the way,” I say, getting to my feet. “You’ll want to have a talk with your men.”

His suspicious eyes swing to me. “Explain that statement.”

“One of them has been feeding information to the Tempestas. My cousin told me this morning.”

His rage is subtle. This actually makes it more terrifying. Every muscle freezes and only the cold glint in his dark eyes betrays his fury.

“The matter will be dealt with,” he says breezily.

I have no doubt what this means. Someone is going to die very painfully.

“I thought of something else you can do for Sabrina,” I say as we walk back to the hospital room. “If you’re interested.”

He raises an eyebrow. “I’m waiting.”

“Since you and your men are so good at wedding planning, you can help plan the wedding she wants to have in the city. We haven’t set a date but she wants it to happen soon and her whole family should be there. Including you.”

We’re close enough to Sabrina’s room to hear laughter from her and Daisy. Their mother joins in.

Vittorio’s head turns toward the sound and his jaw flexes. “She’ll have whatever she wants. You can hold me to that.”

“I will.”

Sabrina sits up in bed, flanked by her mother and sister. No hospital patient has ever looked lovelier.

When I enter the room, she reaches for me. “Monte, come here.”

Obviously, I obey without hesitation.

There’s no other option when the girl you love calls your name.

35

SABRINA

Gino’s Pizzeria is closed today.

I told Sal this wasn’t necessary. We could just hold a quick ceremony and then have the reception elsewhere to minimize the inconvenience.

Sal wouldn’t hear of it. He’s thrilled that Monte and I want to get married here and he’s turned the whole day into a holiday.

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