Page 123 of Single Malt Drama

Marco

Two months later

It’d rainedfor the previous three days, and from the looks of the sky, the storms would continue. I stared down at people running for cover under the enormous white tent in my parents’ backyard and frowned.

“What the hell was I thinking?” Shaking my head, I turned from the window.

Dante clamped a hand on my shoulder. “I’ve been asking myself the same damned question since you came up with this bullshit plan.”

Gabe shoved our younger brother out of the way and helped fixed my bowtie. “You were thinking about making your wife happy.”

“My point exactly. Why go through all the fuss when you’re already married?” Dante talked a big game, but he’d taken it upon himself to arrange—not only the un-bachelor party—but the cake, flowers, and music.

The catering fell into Enzo’s capable hands, and the rest of the planning was split between Leo and Gabe, though I suspected they’d enlisted the help of their women.

I slid into my tuxedo jacket and took one last look in the mirror. “What if Nico hates this idea?”

Enzo chuckled. “Six months ago, she would have, but she’s not the same not-a-hair-out-of-place-designer-clad-supermodel she was before.”

I disagreed. She might have given up the sky-high heels and the couture fashion, but those things were only the wrappings. Deep down, she was still the girl I’d fallen in love with when we were kids. She was perfect—for me anyway.

“Okay. I guess it’s time I go ask my wife to marry me and spring a wedding on her.” I turned to Leo, who’d remained fairly stoic during the typical Marchionni pre-wedding razzing. “What time do you pick up the surprise guest?”

He made a show of glancing at his watch. “About now o’clock. I’ll walk you out.”

“Sure.” I headed for the door, stopped, and grinned at the four of them. “Before I forget, thanks for your help. I love you guys.”

“Go.” Enzo threw a dirty sock at me.

Dante rolled his eyes, and Gabe grinned like a proud papa sending his son out into the world.

I followed Leo down the stairs. My parents’ Garden District mansion wasn’t my first choice of venues, but it was available and large enough to hold our enormous families.

Speaking of famn damilies, voices carried from the front of the house. The last thing I needed was to be stopped by well-wishers. I signaled for Leo to detour us away from the guests and duck out the servants’ entrance. By some miracle, we made it out unseen.

“Any trouble in Sicily?” Leo cocked his head. The hard set of his jaw concerned me. He obviously had something on his mind, but I knew my brother. He’d torture himself for days before he finally broke down and talked to one of us about whatever-the-hell was going on with him.

“Nope. With Lazio under lock and key, the capos are pleased with their increase in revenues.”

He nodded. “Ma is behaving herself?”

I gave him a yeah-right look. “She’s driving Stuart crazy, but he’s keeping her in-line. I’m thinking about letting him off the hook. Two months is long enough.”

“Isn’t that the truth. Speaking of crazy…” Leo cracked a grin. “Giancarlo is serious about giving back the money his father stole?”

“It’ll damned near bankrupt them, but yeah.” I pulled my keys from my pocket, but hesitated. “I saw the news last night. How’s Dahlia holding up since her father announced he’s running for president?”

“It’s a fucking zoo over there. She’s on paparazzi watch twenty-four seven. I’ll be amazed if she makes it to the wedding today.” He leaned against the limo.

“You’re out now. The company is one-hundred percent legal. Why not put yourself, and her, out of your misery already?” I had no doubt in my mind he was in love with Dahlia, and vice versa. Hell, they had a kid together—a kid he hadn’t bothered to claim.

“She’s seeing someone.” He jerked the car door open.

I’d expected him to tell me to mind my own business or to fuck off, but I hadn’t seen that one coming. “Whoa, dude. I’m sorry. Is it…serious?”

“Hell if I know. He’s some blue-blood politician her father approves of.” Leo hitched a shoulder. “She seems happy enough.”

“Screw that. Have you told her how you feel about her?”

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