Page 87 of Christmas with the Mafia
We giggle as if we are back in high school, and then I add, “Actually, as soon as she learned who I am marrying, she changed her mind pretty damn quickly. Now she’sjetting back next week to organize the entire event and told me not to hang around for a second in case he changes his mind.”
“Wow, she is something else.”
Quincy smiles her pity, and I shrug. “She will never change.”
“Does she know he’s, um–”
I gloss over the word. “A successful businessman? Yes, she does. That is all she knows, and if she did discover the true nature of his business, she wouldn’t care because all she sees is the wealth behind the man and not the loaded gun.”
Quincy shivers. “What is it about a bad boy that gets our pulses racing so much?”
“Aston’s not a bad boy.”
I smile fondly at the mention of Quincy’s long-suffering beau.
“True, but Arthur Granger was, and you know how that ended.”
I nod, thinking back on Quincy’s ex, who was into all kinds of pretty crime. She was besotted with him, despite the fact that he treated her like shit most of the time. Luckily, he was arrested for drug possession and sentenced to five years, which was enough for her to break the love addiction and meet Aston in the meantime.
“I wonder what happened to him?”
I think of the bad tempered surly biker who has a tattoo on his face.
“He got religion in prison and is currently out on parole and studying theology.”
“No way.”
I raise my eyes and she giggles, “Perhaps he could marry you and Nico. He would feel right at home there.”
“Could you imagine my mom’s face when she sees the tattoo of a lion on one side of his face? Come to think of it, do you have his number?”
We dissolve into fits of laughter, and then I notice the coffee shop has lost its usual decibel level. In fact, there’s an eerie silence, and as I glance around me, I notice my ride has arrived.
The usual guards have poured into the shop like an oil slick, and I glance up as Trent smiles at Quincy with respect and says in a low, husky voice. “Regina, may I help with your bags?”
Quincy swallows hard but gazes at Trent as if she’s just seen God and suppressing my giggle, I smile happily, “Thanks, Trent.”
As I stand and he gathers up my purchases, I note the black car outside, protected by the usual one in the front and back. I turn to my friend and, leaning down, attempt to hug her through the mountain of layers and whisper, “Would you like a ride home?”
“It’s fine. Aston’s on his way.” Her smile weakens, and concern flares in her eyes.
“Look after yourself, Reggie.”
“I will, but don’t worry, I have a man who does it pretty well for me.”
As I contemplate Nico sitting behind the tinted windows watching me, a shiver of pleasure passes through my soul. Miracles really do happen, and the night I met my Prince Charming on the red carpet at the ball, my life changed for the better, and nobody will ever convince me otherwise.
Epilogue 2
NICO
The mood is tense,and the expressions grave around me. It’s New Year’s Day and the one when we gather to move on from the past into the future as a family.
My brothers surround me as we face our father, who is sitting in his leather chair, smoking his usual cigar. It’s a tradition that I detest but that also comforts me at the same time. Tradition is a huge part of what makes our family strong, and I wonder what he is about to say in his usual husky whisper.
There is a sense of anticipation in the air as he opens his mouth to speak, and as his husky voice wafts through the room, every single one of us is riveted to the spot.
“Today I have a story to tell you.”
