Page 29 of A Touch of Fate

“Of course.” She became tense, and I wanted to kick myself. I’d have to figure this shit out by tonight. Maybe it would be best if I just talked to her, even if it embarrassed her. I could hardly talk to Danilo about this even though he was the one who knew her best. The thought of his enraged face if I did talk about the wedding night cheered me up considerably.

“Let’s enjoy another dance,” I suggested, and her hand relaxed in mine once again. After that dance, Danilo took over again, giving me another hard look. He should know that I was immune to it by now.

Despite my desire to return to the table for a glass of wine, it was my turn to dance with my mother next.

Her eyes were glassy when she took Emma’s place. She hadn’t always been this emotional in public, and she was still mostly a very controlled woman, but since losing my twin sister, she seemed to savor every moment she got to celebrate with Sofia and me all the more.

She gave me a half-embarrassed smile. “You two look really sweet together. I hope the photographer took many photos of you.”

“I’m sure she did. You’ll have plenty of images to fawn over.”

Mom gave me a reproachful look. I gave her the smile that always appeased her. She squeezed my shoulder. “Are you happy?”

“This marriage was never meant to make me happy. It was a business deal,” I said.

Mom briefly looked at where Sofia stood talking to Anna and Luisa. Sofia definitely didn’t look happy about her marriage to Danilo, which was another thing that had dampened my mood in the past few days. “I know, but I want you to be happy. I want you to at least try to be happy and not forbid yourself from it because of a past mistake.”

“A mistake doesn’t kill three of your friends. But I’ll try to be happy, Mom.”

Mom’s eyes drifted to Emma who still swayed to the music with Danilo. “She deserves happiness too.”

“Playing the guilt card?” I asked with a hint of amusement. Mom didn’t use it very often, but when she did, she was good at it.

“If it ensures you finally stop living in the past and be the boy I raised.”

“I’m still him, just older and more jaded. That boy wouldn’t survive long as an Underboss.”

She hit my shoulder. I kissed her cheek. “Time to switch partners.”

I handed her over to Dante and started dancing with Valentina. With her heels, she was almost my height, which was an impressive feat.

“You look relieved to be dancing with me.”

I smirked. “Sometimes mothers can get a bit overbearing.”

“Well, I’m one myself, so yes. Don’t be angry with her. For a mother seeing a child suffer is the worst thing possible.”

“Do I look like I suffer?” I asked sarcastically. The last thing I needed was to appear weak in public.

“No, you are as controlled as Dante where your emotions are concerned.”

I didn’t comment on that. Dante was my Capo, that he was also my uncle was completely irrelevant, so I definitely wouldn’t judge his emotional state. As his wife, Valentina could say whatever she wanted.

Luckily, Valentina didn’t try to talk about feelings after that. Eventually, I could escape the dance floor. Emma was in conversation with Sofia, Anna, and a red-headed girl I didn’t know at our table, so I went over to the bar to grab a drink. Danilo joined me soon after, ordering a drink for himself. “I appreciate that you gave Emma the dance she deserves.”

I nodded, sensing that this wasn’t all he had to say.

“About tonight—”

I cut him off before he could piss me off. His bringing up the subject of our wedding night was definitely nothing I would tolerate, even if I’d previously entertained the thought. “Listen, if this is about what happens behind closed doors tonight, thenkeep it to yourself. Emma is my wife, and she and I can figure things out without your involvement. Or do you want to discuss why Sofia looks like she swallowed a bitter pill?”

Danilo narrowed his eyes, but then he nodded. He obviously wasn’t very keen on having someone shove their nose in his marriage either. Mom had told me that Sofia had assured her that Danilo treated her right. She probably wished for a loving marriage like most women did.Like Emma did.

Renato joined us, carrying two glasses filled generously with red wine. “Negroamaro,” he said as he handed one glass to me.

Danilo raised an eyebrow. “You can refill your glasses. You don’t need to fill them to the brim.”

Renato took a hefty gulp from his wine, emptying it by half. “Thanks for the tip.”

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