Page 34 of Devil's Last Dance

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Two Months Later

Candice stared down at the ring on her finger. The wedding had been a small event. Draven and his wife had been witnesses, along with a couple of Antwone’s soldiers. There had been a small party to announce their wedding, and she knew there was a lot of anger toward her.

No one at the party had talked to her. She was constantly referred to as the “outsider.” They didn’t want her there. Maria was the only woman to accept her.

There was something strange about Draven and Antwone that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. After Antwone had told her who he was and the organization he controlled, she had thought he was lying. The past two months had been an eye-opening experience.

Antwone was exactly who he claimed to be. Even at the party, there had been a moment where several of the men had insulted her, and Antwone had challenged them. The whole party had gone quiet as he told the two capos to attack him, to challenge him for the role as Boss. None of the men had followed through. They had apologized and Antwone had warned them all that if any thought to question his choice of a bride, that was fine but they would soon lose their positions. There were plenty of men who would gladly take up the role of capo.

It was strange, she was oddly touched by his declaration, but that hadn’t changed how they were behind closed doors. Candice couldn’t bring herself to forgive him.

Each time she looked at him, she’d have a moment of happiness, but then she’d recall the feelings that filled her when she woke up the next day.

Antwone hadn’t listened to her voice message until after he saw her at the diner.

Her life had changed so much in two months. Her apartment was gone. Antwone had taken care of it, and brought her possessions to his home. He wanted this to be hers as well, but she couldn’t bring herself to do that. This home wasn’t hers, and it certainly didn’t feel like theirs.

There was so much she struggled with. Antwone’s attention was the hardest. He was so attentive and constantly bringing her gifts, which she didn’t accept. She didn’t need any necklaces or bracelets or earrings. She didn’t need anything other than time.

Antwone was always there for dinner, but she wasn’t allowed to cook. He had a professional chef cook for him. All she had were the cookbooks her mother had left behind. It was strange, but she was more alone now than she had been without him.

Candice didn’t have a clue what to say to him. In the last two months, she had been silent, not to punish him, but because she just didn’t know what to say.

It was hard to learn the man she had fallen in love with was a mafia boss. Just the thought of it made her laugh, but she sat in the sitting room, holding onto her mother’s cookbook and memories for company.

She heard the front door open and held her book even tighter to herself. She wasn’t allowed to work, but that was a good thing. In the last couple of months, walking around the house was exhausting.

“There you are,” Antwone said. “Dinner is on the table. Do you need help getting up?”

“No, I’m good,” she said, not wanting any help.

She looked across the room at the fire.

Those were the kind of words she said.

“I’m good.”

“I’m fine.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“Good night.”

“It’s tasty.”

Those were the words she said constantly to Antwone. The staff didn’t talk to her, nor did the soldiers.

On one of the rare visits when Maria and the children came with Draven, she had learned that Antwone had broken the rules.

Antwone was supposed to marry one of the capos’ daughters. It was supposed to strengthen relations. It was unheard of for the main Boss to marry an outsider. Maria had also gone a little red in the face as she explained that most outsiders were either mistresses or associates, and were not privy to personal mafia business.

Candice couldn’t believe she was even thinking in terms of mafia business, corruption, or anything like that.

Antwone came toward her.

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