Page 112 of Married with Mayhem

She turns on her husband. “Enough,” she says. “I know he’s your best buddy and I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but that doesn’t change the fact that my loyaltyand yours, is to my sister. Now give her some peace of mind by telling her the truth.”

Luca can be stubborn too but his lawyer’s mind also recognizes a sensible argument. Plus he knows that when I’m hurting, so is the woman he loves.

He blows out a sigh and then nods. “All right. Monte went to go visit some family members.”

“What family members?” I ask. “His mother? Did he drive to Seattle?”

He shakes his head. “No.”

I’m confused. The rest of Monte’s family is in New York.

Except for…

“You mean his cousins? The ones who live on a ranch? He mentioned spending time with them while growing up but says they’re not close anymore.”

“They’re not,” he says.

“Why didn’t he want me to go with him? And why the hell is this visit such a freaking secret?”

“Because of who they are,” he says. “And because they know whoyouare. Monte wasn’t given a choice. His uncle demanded to see him.”

Scattered puzzle pieces connect and create an unsettling picture.

Monte told me a little bit about these cousins. He and Nico would visit them in the summer. They lived on a ranch in Wyoming. He said there were four of them. All boys.

I clearly recall the look on his face when I told him of Vittorio’s marriage schemes. At the time, I thought he was just horrified at the idea of an arranged marriage in this day and age.

Now I realize I missed something crucial. And I remember the name he spoke.

“Tempesta,” I say. “Monte’s cousins are the Tempestas.”

Luca says nothing but Anni is confused.

“Who?” she says. “Wait, I’ve heard that name before but I can’t remember where.”

“A powerful family,” Luca says. In this case, the word ‘family’ is coded. I’m aware of the unspoken code and so is Anni.

The Tempestas are mafia. Of course they are. That’s why they were so interested in a marriage arrangement with the daughter of Albie Barone. The niece of Vittorio Messina. I can clearly recall my seething reaction the day my uncle sat me down in his office and presented the offer.

“Four sons. The youngest is twenty-four and the oldest is twenty-eight. You don’t need to choose the oldest. They’re allstrong, good looking boys, all popular with the ladies. Pick whichever one you like, Sabrina.”

I said I’d rather join a convent than get shipped overseas like a piece of mafia bride luggage the way my mother was. Vittorio was amused by the outburst. He even laughed.

“Is that why my uncle threatened Monte?” I ask. “Did he order Monte to marry me because of his connection to the Tempesta family?”

Luca weighs the question and ultimately chooses the truth. “Your uncle didn’t threaten Monte.”

“What are you talking about? Of course he did. The day of the wedding, Monte and Vittorio disappeared for a little while and when they returned, Monte was ready to walk down the aisle.”

“Your uncle didn’t threaten Monte,” Luca repeats. “At least, not in the way you’re thinking.”

“Then he must have threatened Sal and Nico. Monte had a reason for agreeing to get married on the spot.”

“He did,” Luca sighs.

Anni whirls on Luca with outrage. “Did Vittoriopayhim off? I swear, if that’s the case I’ll-”

“No,” Luca says and wraps his arms around her. “No, Vittorio didn’t pay him off. He didn’t threaten him either. He didn’t have to.”

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