Page 33 of His Little Spitfire

“Can’t skip out,” I groan with a shake of my head. “Family meetings are important and affect everyone.”

Moving to get dressed, I offer her up one of my shirts.

“We should really go shopping.” Throwing my shirt over her shoulders, I watch the hem brush her thighs.

I enjoy seeing her in my clothes. Then again, I really liked how that dress looked on her, too.

“Later. I’ll get a car.” Agreeing with ease, I imagine running from my duties and responsibilities for one more day to spend the day watching her try on different outfits. I’ll have to get more hangers. Maybe another dresser. Hell, who knows what all I’ll need. We’ll get some fresh air, and plenty of it.

Visibly lighting up, I’m distracted by that smile of hers. Silently setting a goal to see one a day, I quickly snap out of my daze and get dressed.

While his relationship might have made Santino more forgiving, I don’t want to push his limits by being late.

Thankfully, Eliza doesn’t waste any time either. Once she’s got a pair of shorts knotted at her hips, she wraps an arm around mine and lets me guide her to the very same room she signed her marriage certificate in.

If she’s thinking the same thing I am, remembering what happened, it explains the flush on her cheeks.

Thankfully, there aren’t any cameras inside. No one knows but us, and I’m happy to keep it that way.

Camellia is settled next to Santino. She’s scooched over to his side and playing with the chains dragged across his vest piece.

My mother is next to Tommy, and if I have to guess, she’s been talking the poor bastard’s ear off. These last couple of weeks, he’s been her favorite target to chat with. Even though he’s not blood-related, he might as well be with his devotion to Santino.

If it were a few months ago, Lazaro would also be settled here, but his seat remains empty. Has been ever since he decided to leave and welcome the suburban life.

The chair next to mine was meant to be Valeria’s when she became an adult, but now, it’ll be Eliza’s. I lead her over and take a seat.

Now that everyone is here, right on time, Santino pulls his attention away from Camellia long enough to acknowledge everyone else in the room.

“If you haven’t heard already, we will be hosting a wedding in the upcoming weeks. However long it takes to throw one of these together.” He looks at our mother, already knowing that she won’t turn down the opportunity to manage this. “I’ll assume you have contacts you’ll want to get involved with.”

Her smile is instant as she nods. “I’ll have to see if Susie is still in the dress-making business. Oh, she is wonderful, Camellia. You’ll love her.”

Just as I expect her to, my mother talks about her experience with this Susie person. She boasts her up, so I already know we’ll be meeting her.

“Urzo, you’ll deal with security. I don’t want any issues, understand?” My brother doesn’t hesitate with his seriousness, but he does save me a whole speech about my recent distractions.

Nodding my head with his orders, I force my lips not to curve. It’s almost funny. Before Eliza came storming into my life, I would’ve taken this job way too seriously and completely absorbed myself with making sure I did as I was told.

“I’ll make sure the wedding goes on without a hitch.”

He nods and his gaze softens on Camellia. “We have a little planning ourselves, but I’m hoping to have this wedding before autumn rolls around. As long as everyone does as they’re told, we won’t have any issues. Now, onto the next pressing matter–”

“Rocco.” Eliza sighs and shakes her head. “I take it you agree with Camellia on the matter?”

He nods. “I’ll be inviting him. She wants him there, I won’t stand in her way.”

As her face pinches, she bites her tongue. If I have to guess, it’s purely for her sister’s sake.

I don’t know the whole picture and what they went through, but both sisters have opposite feelings for their brother. If Eliza dislikes him, then I’m on board. Fuck the guy.

“Other than that, we finally don’t have any headaches happening in the background. So, the wedding needs to be in full focus. Understand?”

We all nod, getting his point. When the boss wants something, that’s all there is to it. In this case, he wants a wife.

Looking like he’s ready to call this meeting over, I clear my throat.

“Before we dismiss this–” I catch Santino’s attention, “–I’ve got something else to ask.”

---