Page 68 of Mafia Bride (Arranged Marriage 8)

"Too bad there isn’t another Sovrano brother for me to hook up with," Penny mutters.

"There’s only Adrian left, and I’m afraid his heart is already taken," Karma says as she walks over to join us. "I’m so happy to welcome you to the family, Olivia. I’d kiss your cheek, but I don’t want to risk spoiling your makeup." She places her hand on her stomach. "I’m feeling a bit exhausted, so I’m going to go sit down in the conservatory."

"Are you okay?"

"Of course." She waves off my concern. "Sometimes I just forget I’m pregnant, so I overdo it. I’ll be fine." She smiles at me again. "See you on the other side. It's going to be amazing."

She walks past us and to the door.

Jeanne turns to me. "You sure you want to do this?"

Eh?“Why do you ask that?"

"I know how overwhelming the Sovrano men can be. If you don’t want to get married, let me know and I’ll get Luca’s help in telling Massimo off."

"You’d do that for me? You’d ask your Mafia Capo husband to tell his brother to get lost if I didn’t want to go through with the wedding?"

"Of course I would." She looks offended. "Didn’t you, me, and Penny decide we were the three musketeers who’d always have each other’s backs?"

I glance from her to Penny, then back at her. "We did."

"So tell me, is he forcing you to get married to him?"

"Did Luca force you?" I shoot back.

"Umm..." She chews on her lower lip. "As you know, we didn’t exactly meet in the most normal of circumstances. And yeah, he did strike a bargain with me—getting married in exchange for him getting me back to the premier of the musical. So, he didn’t force me, but I wasn’t exactly overly enthused about getting married to him, either. But things changed. And we figured stuff out, and found out we love each other. And I’m not saying that isn’t possible for you. Just... If you need me to back you up in something, then you should know I’m here for you."

"And me, too." Penny tightens her hold on my hand.

I’d held it together when I’d discovered Massimo was getting engaged to my sister. I’d kept my wits about me when things had turned on their heads, and I’d realized I was the one marrying Massimo, after all. I’d been shocked, but I hadn’t broken down when he’d taken out my brother. But hearing my friends declare their loyalty to me, somehow, tips me over the edge. A burning sensation builds behind my eyes, and a big knot of emotions seems to lodge itself in my throat. "You guys are going to make me cry," I choke out.

"Aww, honey, I didn’t mean for you to get all teary–eyed. I only wanted you to know you have options." Jeanne grips my free hand, and I bring our palms together—mine, Jeanne’s, and Penny’s—so I can hold their palms between both of mine.

"I want you both to know how much I appreciate knowing you are in my corner." I look between them. "Also, no one is forcing me to get married. At least, not in the strict sense of the word."

Jeanne frowns. "What does that mean?"

"Meaning, much like Luca struck up a bargain with you, so has Massimo."

I’m not going to tell her the details of it. I don’t believe Massimo would actually harm my family if, for some reason, I backed out of the marriage, but I don’t want to test that theory. Also, as much as it’s reassuring to know Jeanne could get Luca to confront Massimo, I don’t relish the idea of pitting brother against brother. Massimo would be pissed. He'd probably react negatively, taking it out on either me or my family, and again, I don’t want to put either of us in that situation. Besides, if, after all that, we still went through with the wedding, I’d have a very angry groom on my hands, and Lord knows where that would lead. Nope, this is good. I’ll marry him, then I’ll move to London, where Declan’s agent has offered to meet me. Bye-bye, Massimo. Bye, Italy. I’ll focus my efforts on my career as an actress, without worrying about my family back home. It’s a good deal for both of us.

"And you’re fine with the deal?" Jeanne searches my features. "You can tell me if you’re not."

"Are you doubting me?" I hold her gaze.

She looks deeply into my eyes, then nods. "I was, but not anymore. I didn’t realize you had feelings for the guy."

"Oh, please. This marriage really is an arrangement, one that benefits both of us."

"Hey, who am I to say otherwise?" Jeanne quirks her lips. "If you’re happy, I’m happy."

"I’m… not sad about walking down the aisle, if that’s what you’re asking."

"I’m—"

There’s a knock on the door, then a blonde-haired woman—Elsa, if I remember correctly from earlier introductions—pops her head around the corner. "They're ready for you."

36

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