Page 137 of Mafia Virgin (The Kings of Italy)

“I don’t want to talk about me.”

Gia came in. “Oh, good. We’re talking about Emma.” Her dark hair was a mess, and she was wearing the shirt Enzo had on yesterday, her legs bare. “Let me grab coffee before we start.”

“We’re not starting anything,” I said.

“Yes, we’re starting,” Frankie said sternly. “So buckle up.”

Gia went to the espresso machine. When the drip started she put her hands on the counter, then bent to stretch out her back. Frankie watched her with a critical eye. “You okay over there, G?”

“I think so? Jesus Christ, my man can do damage. It’s a good thing I’m in shape. Otherwise I’d never survive his dick.”

“That explains your hair,” Frankie said.

Gia took a band off her wrist and pulled her hair into a bun. “Don’t hate on me because I chose someone younger and better looking than your husband.”

Frankie shook her head, a chuckle escaping. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

My two sisters liked to take digs at each other. Normally, I’d try to play peacemaker, but not today. If they were arguing, then they were ignoring me and my marriage.

“I’m surprised Fausto didn’t come with you,” Gia said. “Considering Enzo and his brothers are here.” Enzo had kidnapped Frankie once, before he and Gia fell in love, and Fausto wasn’t the type to forgive and forget.

“Don’t worry,” Frankie said. “They had a lengthy conversation before I landed. I believe threats were traded on both sides.”

“Figures.” Gia picked up her coffee cup and came over to the bar. “Enzo wouldn’t tell me what was discussed, only that Fausto was sending men to watch over you.”

“I’m not afraid of Enzo.” Frankie waved her hand. “He loves you and would never dare do anything to risk losing you.”

“Facts,” Gia said and sipped her coffee. “Did she tell you what happened?”

“No. You?”

“Nope. So, let’s have it Emma. What happened?”

They both stared at me intently, like this was a deposition. Or an inquisition. My sisters were scary when they wanted to be.

I got up off the stool and went to the microwave to warm up my tea. “There’s nothing to tell. He came to help when he heard Don Virga was here. When that was over he asked me to return to Palermo, but I told him I needed more time. Then he left.”

“Enzo said Giacomo is very protective of you,” Gia said. “Like, extremely protective. Sort of how someone in love would act when their partner is in trouble.”

“He let me go,” I pointed out. “Twice. Neither of your men did that.”

Gia and Frankie both gaped at me. My twin recovered first. “Uh, Enzo said some pretty terrible things and kicked me off his yacht. He’s lucky I didn’t cut his balls off.”

“And Fausto? Jesus,” Frankie said, shaking her head. “He was awful to me before I was kidnapped. The only reason he didn’t kick me out was because I was pregnant with Raffaele.”

I’d forgotten this. Because they were all so happy now, it was easy to forget their early struggles. “I don’t know. I feel like it’s different. We were forced to marry and it all happened so fast.”

“Right, because being kidnapped and locked in a cage on a yacht was slow and sensible.” Then Gia gestured to Frankie. “And being swooped away and taken to Castle Ravazzani overnight gave you lots of time to prepare, right?”

“Tons,” Frankie said dryly. “Come on, Em. What’s really going on here? Do you have feelings for him?”

“Duh.” Gia answered for me. “Of course she does. Have you seen him, Frankie? He looks like a professional rugby player, totally built and covered in tattoos.”

“I haven’t seen him,” Frankie said. “But I’ve heard he used to fight professionally.”

“Enzo says Buscetta was a beast in the ring.”

“Oh, I don’t know if I like that.” Frankie adopted her protective older sister scowl. “I don’t want you with someone violent, Em.”

---