Page 5 of Vanished in Vegas

“That’s what dad said,” I replied, ushering her into a pew towards the middle of the bride’s side.

I sat between her and Arianna. Kit and the guys stood in the aisle, waiting for us to scoot over and make room for them.

“Not happening. We’ll be fine,” Arianna said. “Go sit in the back.”

“Your father told us to--” Kale replied.

“This is God’s house so you’re off duty for now,” I smiled. They looked at each other but didn’t move.

“You’re making a scene,” Rose growled in a hushed tone. “Go find a seat somewhere.”

“Agreed. We’ll be right here if you need us,” I said, gesturing at the back of the church.

They opened their mouths to say something but closed them just as fast. Kit gestured with his head for them to go to the back. They exchanged glances once more and then walked off.

“Drives me nuts,” Arianna muttered.

“Ditto,” Rose sighed.

I looked around the room. There were so many familiar faces. Some were good news. Others, not so much. Hopefully, they’d behave themselves. Would hate to see a woman’s beautiful day ruined.

“Look, Steffani Russo and Chiara De Santis are both here,” I said, pointing at first Steffani then Chiara.

They both must have sensed us talking about them because they looked back at me as I pointed. I waved at both of them. They waved back before turning their attention back to those they were with.

“After this, we’ll go say hello to them. Father will throw a fit if we don’t acknowledge Giuseppe’s kid,” Arianna whispered.

She was right. Chiara was Giuseppe De Santis’ daughter. And Giuseppe was the Boss, our father worked under. Greetings weren’t always pleasantries. Sometimes it was strictly politics.

Except, in this case, because I happened to know Chiara personally. We went to San Diego North University together and were part of the samesorority,Elite Council of Mafia Princesses-- E.C.M.P. It was the same case with Stella.

“Or we could say hello because she’s my friend,” I replied.

“Friends?” Arianna rolled her eyes.

“Yes,” I nodded. “Friends.”

CHAPTER FOUR

ANTONIO

The bride had finally made her way down the aisle and the show was on the road, but fuck, this was boring. The only thing keeping me from leaving was Sofia. Before the wedding had started, I had found a seat on the groom’s side, two rows back from where she was sitting on the bride’s side. It was a bit stalkerish for me but I couldn’t help myself.

“Stare any harder at her and you’re going to put a hole through her, Boss,” Eddie said softly, leaning closer to me. There was amusement in his tone.

“Fuck you,” I muttered. He shrugged his shoulders and chuckled. “Next time, you aren’t coming with me.”

“Ah. Come on, Boss. Can’t leave the kid at home,” Niccolai joked quietly to the other side of me.

“Yeah, Boss. Can’t leavethe kidat home,” Eddie mocked softly, making Niccolai and I laugh.

“She’s definitely interested in you, Boss. Look,” Niccolai nudged me slightly with his elbow.

I looked where he was staring and my eyes landed on Sophia. When our eyes met, she blushed then quickly faced forward as though it never happened. It was such a childish gesture; however, I found myself smiling like an idiot.

“Never seen you smile so big, Boss,” Niccolai whispered.

“Yeah. It’s fucking weird, right, Niccolai?” Eddie said. An old lady sitting in front of us turned around and frowned.

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