Page 75 of Soulmate of the Mafia King
“In a minute.” She launched herself at me for a hug.
I squeezed her back. How had I ended up with everything I wanted? A man and a career and a best friend. I couldn’t ask for more.
Finally, Lauren released me. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to fix whatever happened to it after she nearly tackled me.
Big mistake. Lauren snatched my hand and stared open-mouthed at the ring for a long second. “Aren’t we friends?”
“Yes?” I said.
“Okay, then why didn’t you call me the second this happened?” She shook my hand at me. “I’m not crazy, right? This is an engagement ring?”
“It—”
Cat leaned out of the doorway of the common room. “Did Tommaso propose to you?”
A few other women popped up behind her, their eyes glowing with curiosity. I couldn’t help but laugh. I should’ve known I couldn’t come here without the engagement news creating a whirlwind. I walked into the common room and sat on one of the couches.
“Does someone want to get Lily and Andi?” I asked with a smile. “I don’t want to spend all day retelling the story.”
A few of the women darted off to grab staff and friends. When they returned, the whole common room packed withwomen, most of whom had known the terror I’d known, albeit in different forms, and all hanging on my every word. Suddenly, I remembered the moment with Beth in the car that sent me down this path. She told me I was lucky when she saw me with Tom. That strange feeling broke over me again. I’d been through so much, experienced real evil, but I was lucky.
“I’m so happy I have you guys to tell this to,” I said. “So, he gets me onto this plane and refuses to tell me where we’re going…”
It took almost an hour of telling the story, retelling it despite my plan to get it all done, and answering questions about a wedding I hadn’t started planning yet before I could actually get to my office and try to do some work. I loved every second of it. The women out there looked at me like their chance at a better future. They might be in the dark part of their story now, but I was a promise light could—would—come again. I wandered back into my office and started to sit when Lauren walked past. An impulse seized me, and I grabbed her wrist.
“Hey,” I said. “I didn’t mean to cause that whole ruckus, but I wanted to ask you something.”
She stepped into my office. “Anything. But only if you describe the dress. I think it’s very mean you don’t have pictures.”
I laughed. “Of course. It’s not at all what I pictured for myself, but—” I shook my head. “It’s this insane French fabric that clings and drapes like nothing I’ve ever seen. The whole silhouette is fitted, but there’s a little train at the bottom, and a slit up the side so I can actually walk. But the thing that gotme was the top. It’s super structured and square, but basically backless.” I swallowed. “You can see the big scar on my side.”
Lauren took my hand and squeezed. “And you love it?”
I nodded. “But speaking of things I love…wouldyouliketobemymaidofhonor?”
She paused for a second, then laughed. “Of course. But you weren’t actually afraid to ask me, were you?”
I looked at the woman who’d helped save my life and become my best friend for a long moment, then shook my head.
CHAPTER 57
SERA
Ifolded a T-shirt and put it into Killian’s suitcase. “Are you sure we need to leave so soon?”
He chuckled and took the T-shirt back out, then replaced it with a suit shirt. “Very, unfortunately. Adrian is in the middle of a difficult situation with one of the warehouses, and he needs a steady hand to guide him through.”
My stomach churned at the thought of leaving the villa. We’d only been here for a couple of months, and we’d promised everyone we’d return, but dammit, I wasn’t ready yet. Lazing around the villa and having sex whenever the mood took us was way too fun to stop after only a few months.
“But we’ll be back soon, right?” I asked like I didn’t already know.
“Cara mia.” Killian took my hands. “What is happening in that head of yours?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. The thought of leaving just make me kind of sick. We just got away from all that. I don’t want to be scared again.”
He studied me for a long moment. “You do look a little pale. How sick is this making you exactly?”
I shook my head. “It’s a figure of speech.”
