Page 13 of Reign of Hope

I’m instantly drawn to the jeans, but I want to make a good impression on Reno and his family, so I choose the blue dress. I don’t know how she guessed my size, but the dress fits perfectly. I gather the makeup and apply a light layer of powder and eye shadow, using light pink hues, then a dusting of blush and liner, and top it off with mascara. The final touch is a simple pink lip balm.

My hair is a different story. I must say that I spend a lot of time on my hair. I find a diffuser with the hair dryer and scrunch my soft curls until they dry, framing my face. I take one final look in the mirror and apply hair spray before heading back down the stairs.

“Perfect timing, cara,” Gina says, then turns to look at me. “My goodness, aren’t you a vision?” she continues, clapping her hands together.

“Super pretty,” Elena adds.

“Can we eat now?” Elio asks. “I’m starved.” He pulls out the chair closest to him but waits for his father to take his place before sitting. Dante takes his place on the other side of Dario, with Elena beside him.

“Sit here, Victorio,” Gina says to my brother, indicating the seat next to her. “We haven’t had a chance to get to know one another.” Victorio takes his place and is looking a little uneasy, but Gina engages him in conversation. Before you know it, I see my brother crack a smile.

Zano tugs my hand. He sits next to his brother, and I take the seat beside him. The food is passed around the table, and as Zano hands me the platter of pancakes, he whispers in my ear, “You’re making it impossible not to kiss you.”

I don’t dare move my eyes from my plate, hoping that no one else heard Zano. He’s making me feel things I’ve never felt before. I’ve seen good-looking men, even fantasized about the likes of Channing Tatum and Ryan Reynolds. But Zano is different. I get butterflies whenever he’s close. I find myself staring at him, especially at his full lips and soulful blue eyes.

Last night, I was a mess when he came to check in on me. When he walked in, I suddenly felt calm, like everything was going to be all right. When I raise my eyes, I notice my brother glancing between Zano and me, silently asking me if I’m okay. I smile, and his shoulders relax.

“Cara, eat up. Don’t forget you promised to help me with my hair,” Gina says, interrupting my thoughts.

* * *

It’s later that afternoon that we drive to meet with our new capo and his family. Plans changed as Reno and Sebastian had an urgent matter to contend with, and a late lunch is turning into an early dinner. As we stand at Reno’s front door, Victorio keeps tugging on his shirt collar like it’s cutting off his airway. Dante bought him a pair of black dress pants and a crisp white shirt, telling him that he needs to look good. All the men are casually dressed, but they all look very handsome. Zano has on a sky-blue shirt that looks awesome on him, and a darker pair of navy slacks. When I walked down after doing his mother’s hair, which she loved so much she has declared me her official hairdresser, I almost tripped over my own feet when I saw him. I hope I wasn’t drooling.

“Hello, come in,” a beautiful woman says. I assume she’s Reno’s wife. Glued to her leg is the cutest little girl. She reaches down and puts the little girl on her hip. “Simona, say hello,” she coos, snuggling her close.

“About time you got here,” Dante teases from inside. “What took you so long?”

“Not all of us drive like a NASCAR driver,” Elio responds, leading the way. Gina and Dario move inside, stopping to greet our hostess, then making room for us.

Zano does the introductions. “Anna, this is Allegra and her brother, Victorio.”

“Thank you for having us, ma’am,” Victorio says.

Anna gives him a bright smile. “It’s our pleasure.”

“Hello, Mrs. Viale,” I say. I wonder if Anna knows how stunning she is with her dark hair and exotic features.

“Please, call me Anna. Welcome!” Then, without warning, Simona lurches out of her mother’s arms and into mine, framing my face with her tiny palms.

“You’re pretty. I like your hair,” Simona says in her shy, tiny voice.

“Well, that’s a surprise,” her mother declares. “Simona usually takes a while to warm up to new people.” She wiggles her fingers, “Come on to Mama,” she says, trying to entice her daughter to come back to her.

“I’m fine with Simona if it’s all right with you,” I tell Anna. Meanwhile, Simona has already put her head down on my shoulder. I think I’m in love with this child. She’s so sweet.

“I’m more than fine!” Anna declares, then guides me to join the others in the family room. “Reno is just finishing up in his den with Leo and Sebastian.” Anna sweeps her arms across the room. “This is everyone. I’m going to go check on dinner. Dante, you’re in charge of getting everyone drinks and doing introductions. I’ll be back in a minute.”

After Anna leaves, Simona wriggles in my arms, wanting to be put down. She takes my hand and drags me over to where Elena, Gina, and two other women are sitting on the sofa. “This is baby Marcella,” Simona announces, totally ignoring the other women.

“I knew the day Marcella was born that I’d be an afterthought,” the baby’s mother says with a laugh. “I’m Olivia, Sebastian’s wife and this little angel’s mommy.”

“Hello, I’m Allegra. I’m…uh.” Well, dang, how do I introduce myself?I’m the problem Reno took on.Or, maybe,I’m Zano’s future bride that he didn’t know he was going to end up with all because he’s a good guy and saved my brother’s ass.

“This is Zano’s fiancée,” Gina finishes on my behalf, putting her arm around me. “And she’s a magician with a brush. My hair has never looked better.”

“I was wondering what you did differently. It looks so shiny and full,” Olivia comments with a grin, then turns back to me. “You’re a hairstylist?”

“Yes. I am.”

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