Page 124 of Savage Vow (Mafia Marriages 3)

38

Karina

I barely slept, tossing and turning, thinking about my upcoming date with Aurielo. Why do I feel like a teenage girl?

We’re married.

It shouldn’t be that big a deal that he’s taking me out. But the only time I’ve been allowed anywhere is to work. Otherwise, I’ve been sequestered upstairs to either my bedroom or Ashton’s.

“I can’t believe you’re actually going to go out to dinner with him,” Ivy says.

I don’t think it’s jealousy, mostly anger in her tone.

“He’s not that bad of a guy,” I say, pulling her across the room to talk away from Ashton. He’s coloring in his brand-new dinosaur coloring book that Aurielo brought home this afternoon for him.

Aurielo has been trying. Since the moment he found out I had a kid, he wanted to be there for him. Before he even knew Ashton was his own flesh and blood.

What kind of savage would do that?

“He’s in the mafia, and he forced you to marry him!” Ivy scolds me.

Like I forgot why I’m here. I roll my eyes and fold my arms across my chest. “He saved my life, and I agreed to this life. His boss ordered him to execute me.”

“He doesn’t have to take orders from him,” Ivy says. “He could have stood up to him.”

“The mob boss? Are you serious?” I ask.

Alessandro scares me. The way he carries himself, I worry if I give him a dirty look unintentionally, he’ll pull out his gun and kill me on the spot. He’s not a man to have regrets.

Maybe I was wrong about Aurielo.

He’s been kind to Ashton, teaching him to play catch. Every weekday he drives him to private school and picks him up. Not to mention he foots the bill for private education. Plus, he’s an attentive father.

“I need to get ready,” I say. I don’t want to argue with Ivy. I love my sister, but we’ve never seen eye-to-eye. We are identical only in looks. That’s how it’s always been.

I open the bedroom door and step into the hallway. Giovan is standing guard. “Making sure I don’t run?” I offer a smile.

He doesn’t look the least bit amused.

I point to my bedroom. “I’m just going to get dressed for tonight,” I say.

Stalking across the hall, I head into the bedroom and flip the light. The bed is already made, not a surprise, but the giant white box on the bed has me curious. There’s a folded note attached to the lid.

For Karina.

It’s simple and to the point.

At least I know I’m allowed to open the box, and I’m not snooping. I remove the lid and am stunned by the bold red dress. It’s beautiful and soft under my touch. I lift the dress by the spaghetti straps and hold it up to my body.

Another note falls to the floor that was tucked inside the box.

To match your blush.

Smiling, I shake my head. I guess he wants me to wear this tonight, which is good since I don’t have anything fancy for a date.

I gather the dress and head into the shower to get ready before dinner. I want to wow Aurielo, especially since he picked out the dress.

When did he have time to do that? While I was at work today?

---