Page 108 of Dangerous King
"Thanks," I say, trying not to blush. "It still feels surreal."
Sabine claps her hands once, lightly. "Well, we'll make it real tomorrow. I'm ready to be spoiled."
She says it playfully, but her fingers fidget with the edge of her sweater, tugging the seam a little too tightly.
"I'm glad," I tell her honestly. "I want us to get closer."
"Totally," she replies, "I mean, we're sisters, right?"
I nod, warmth blooming in my chest. "Yeah. Sisters."
She gives my arm a quick squeeze, nails lightly brushing the fabric. "Well, I'd better go grab something to wear tomorrow. Wouldn't want to embarrass the family."
I laugh, idly noticing the way her lips tighten for just a second as I turn away. But by the time I reach the stairs and look back, her expression has smoothed back into place, and I don't give it a second thought.
Sabine exhales softly and tilts her head, still watching.
"Bride-to-be energy," she murmurs under her breath. "Right."
Then she turns and disappears into the shadows. I don't know why this encounter leaves me so on edge, and for a minute, I'm tempted to go after her, but then Shadow barks, ready to go to bed, making me laugh when he chases his tail, and I reconsider. Sabine and I simply haven't had a chance to get to know one another, that's all it is. Once we do, we'll be like we were neverapart, like Izzy and me. My life has turned into a fairy tale, and I'm determined to make everything around me perfect.
I almost make a clean getaway when my father calls, "Enrico, two minutes?"
He's standing in the study doorway, two tumblers in hand. Scotch, by the smell of it. Not the Blue Label I prefer, but still good, aged, and rare. I glance toward the stairs—toward her—and then back. Reluctantly, I turn.
He holds one glass out to me. "To your engagement."
I take it, curl my fingers around the heavy glass. "You could've said that at dinner."
"I could have," he says, lifting his own glass and taking a measured sip. "But I thought maybe you owed me five minutes. Especially since you dropped the news like a live grenade."
I huff a short laugh. "You didn't look too shocked."
"I'm not. But I would've appreciated a heads-up before you asked for her hand in front of the entire family."
I lift my glass to my lips, but I don't drink yet.
He watches me for a second, then adds, "She's good for you."
That makes me pause.
"I like her," he says, and there's no trace of posturing in it. Just sincerity. "Of course, I would have preferred a mafia princess, maybe Russian? Grigori Arsenyev's sister Oksana, maybe." He waits long enough for me to roll my eyes. I've met Oksana a few times; she's beautiful, but also very bloodthirsty. I pity the man who ends up with her.
"But a blind man can see that Catalina makes you happy and that she's quite perfect for the role she will have to play. She's quiet, but not weak. Loyal and kind. And most importantly, she has a spine when it counts."
I study him for a long moment. "Is that your way of giving your blessing?"
He laughs, "You already asked Cesare and got your answer." He shrugs. "But yes. I'm proud of you. She'll make you happy."
"She already does," I murmur.
Thoughtfully, he looks into his tumbler. "She's ten years younger than you."
"So is Oksana," I point out.
He nods. "I suppose that's how our world works. "Do right by her, though, get her a ring before your mother takes mattersinto her own hands." He finishes his Scotch. "Speaking of, your mamma is going to take her under her wing, fill her in on how to be a capo's wife."
I sigh, but this was to be expected, and honestly, there is nobody more perfect for that than Mamma. I shudder to think about the ideas Izzy would put into her head. Thinking of… Izzy. She might need to find a husband soon, but I'll be damned if I have any idea who would be able to put up with her. Who would be able to handle her? On that note, I finally take a sip. The scotch burns smoothly down my throat. But all it does is remind me how much I wanthertaste on my tongue instead.
