Page 19 of Innocent Union
“Are you? Because you act like she’ll be an adult tomorrow.”
Franco gave me a tight smile. “Do you think you’re smarter than me, Mia?”
I wanted to say yes, but the darkness in Franco’s eyes made me say, “No,” instead.
“Good.” He turned back to Lucia. “Figure it out.” Then he walked away, leaving Lucia in tears.
“You are smart,” I told her, but I don’t think she heard me over her sobs.
In the present, I let Lucia’s snide comment slide. She never knew what it was like to have a father she could depend on.
That’s one thing I feel exceptionally grateful for—I’ll always have good memories of my dad.
Another family dinnernight rolls around with Antonio and Nina and Cecilia and Theo, coming. I have to prepare myself toface Cecilia because the sight of her still makes me a little bit bitter.
When Antonio arrives, Killian is with him. My heart almost jumps out of my chest when I see him.
“No,” Mom says, wagging her finger at Killian. “He’s not allowed in this house.”
“Nice to see you, too, Giulia,” Killian says.
Antonio sighs. “Ma, Killian is staying for dinner. He insisted.”
The grimace on my mother’s face is honestly hilarious. “Fine. But I’m not happy about it.”
“Duly noted,” Antonio says.
Killian takes his seat across from me. “Hey, Mia. Nice seeing you again.”
“Yeah,” is all I can say because he makes me so tongue-tied.
He smiles like we share a secret, and I think my heart almost melts.
Cecilia and Theo show up soon after. I’m so distracted by Killian that I don’t have it in me to be angry with Cecilia.
“How’s the husband hunting going?” Nina asks as she cuts into her food.
My mom answers for me. “Not great. But Mia and I are not giving up. We’ll find her a husband yet.”
“I’ll marry her.”
My heart stops. Did Killian just say what I think he just said?
Mom huffs. “You will not.”
Killian shrugs. “Why not? Mia needs a husband. I’m Antonio’s second-in-command. I’ll soon be boss of the Irish mob.”
“But you’re not yet,” Mom points out. “You still have to unseat Patrick O’Connell from that position, and it won’t be easy. I won’t let my daughter be in danger.”
“She wouldn’t be in danger from me. I’m a good fit, Giulia. Admit it. A marriage alliance between us would ensure good will between the Italians and the Irish. I don’t see the problem.”
“The problem is,” my mom says, “I don’t trust you.”
“Because I’m Irish?”
“Yes.”
Killian turns to me. “Let’s see what Mia thinks about this.”
