Page 114 of Single Malt Drama

He shook his head a fraction of an inch.

A man dressed in an ill-fitted business suit walked into the office. He took one look at Marco and sighed in relief. “Mr. Marchionni, you’re here. If you will come with me, we need to get started.”

“After I have a moment with my wife.” Marco met my gaze. “Alone.”

“I’ll be just outside the door, sir. Please hurry.” The corner of his left eye twitched, but he forced a smile and left the room.

“Nicolina, you will accompany me into the hall.” Pietro snapped his fingers as if calling the family pet.

“She’s not going anywhere.” Marco glared.

My stomach twisted. I felt like the rope in their tug of war. A game I knew my father would win because he’d play dirty.

Giancarlo folded his arms. “There’s no need for Nico to accompany you, Father. Only capos are allowed into the ceremony itself. I’ll stay with her until the party begins.”

Pietro growled under his breath. “Nicolina, you will—”

“Before you say another word, there’s something you should see.” Marco shoved a phone in front of my father’s face.

A woman’s voice carried through the room, but the volume was too low for me to make out her words.

Pietro took a step back. His complexion went from tan, to white, to an alarming shade of red. He gasped and pulled at his tie. “Where…how…”

“What is he looking at?” I turned to Giancarlo and sucked in a breath.

He wiped the tears from his face. “Now isn’t the time. I’ll explain after I escort our father to the ceremony.”

I wanted to demand he tell me what the hell was happening that instant, but between the hard set of Marco’s jaw and Giancarlo’s emotional state, I bit my tongue.

“I trust you recognize her?” Marco slid the phone back into his pocket.

“Yes.” Pietro’s voice cracked. “What do you want? Name it.”

Want? Who is this woman?I couldn’t make sense of what was happening.

“We’ll discuss that later.” Marco motioned to Giancarlo.

My brother crossed the room, took my stunned father’s arm, and marched him out of the office.

Marco waited until we were alone before pulling me into a tight embrace. “Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No, he didn’t.” I drew in his freshly showered scent and the world suddenly didn’t seem as frightening. “I’m tired and missed you like crazy, but I’m good now.”

“And the baby?”

A wave of disappointment crashed over me. “He or she is good, but I wanted to be the one to tell you all of our practice made perfect.”

“I should have been there when you found out we were expecting, but I swear to you. I’ll be there for every other big moment.” He eased back and met my gaze. “Are you absolutely sure you’re onboard with me going through with this investiture ceremony?”

I winced before I could stop myself. “It’s what has to be done, right?”

“More than you can imagine.” He sighed and frowned at his watch. “Just know this is temporary. I can’t promise we’ll be free in six months or a year, but we will get out.”

We’d only had a few seconds together; I wasn’t ready to let him go. “I trust you.”

“I’ll make sure I keep it that way.” He nodded to who I assumed was the man in the ill-fitted suit.

“Who was that on the phone?”

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