Page 131 of Dirty Mafia King
“What brought this on?” His alarm is palpable.
Fear doesn’t drive me into action, though it should. Bastiankilleda man. It’s the harsh tone within Bastian’s order to plan my wedding—dismissing me, dismissing us—that pushes me forward. “We need to book a venue, immediately.”
Sandro’s water bottle hits the floor.
“Goddamn it,” he curses, jumping to his feet and getting a towel to wipe up his mess.
“I feel the same way. A venue seems so final.” I pause, then grind out, “We need to book a venue immediately. Per his orders.”
Sandro stalks to the kitchen, dumps the kitchen towel in the sink, and washes his hands. “What exactly did my godfather say?”
I roll back in the chair and stare at the ceiling. “Not him. Bastian.”
“Bastian,” he softly repeats.
“His words were, ‘By the time I return, a venue better be booked.’”
Silence fills the apartment. And then Sandro begins laughing.
I’m on my feet in an instant. “What’s so funny, dickwad?” Lord, I’ve resorted to cursing, even.
He laughs harder.
“You hate me, remember? And we’re getting married.”
“Are we?” He laughs so hard, tears form.
I raise my voice, panic and confusion and heartbreak setting in. “I can’t go home until a venue is booked.”
“And where ishome, exactly?” His smirk fills the space between us.
“What?”
“You said you can’t go home.”
“Back to the estate, I meant.”
He scoops up his cell phone from the kitchen counter.
“Sandro,” I growl. “I swear, if you start playing games…”
“Only the best game, one I’ve a lot riding on.” Shooting me an odd look, he types away. Seconds later, he has me thunderstruck. “You hungry?”
I blink.
“Roscioli just opened, and we can order in.”
“Are you being nice?”
Two hours later, I’m feeling better. Excellent Italian food helps. Sandro’s frighteningly polite company does, as well. And when his phone chimes and a message confirming our wedding venue comes through, I can at last savor the flavors in the dish before me.
“Done,” Sandro comments.
“Done,” I reply. “Though Tavern on the Green is unexpected.”
He grins. “Nothing but the best for mywife.”
“Stop.”
