Page 65 of Mafia Virgin (The Kings of Italy)

I nibbled on my fingernail, then typed,

Just get a jacket there.

GIGI

would if I could but I need this exact one

pleeeease? I know I’m a pain in the ass but I’ll owe you one

You owe me a million already.

GIGI

true! lol

She sent a smiling devil emoji that was entirely on brand for my sister.

GIGI

I’ll ship it back as soon as I’m done with it

My twin was relentless when she wanted something. She wouldn’t give up, no matter how much I pushed back. I had to stall her.

I have a really busy day ahead. I’m not sure I’ll have time

GIGI

just call Papà. He can have one of the men do it. Please????

u talk to him every day right? What’s the big deal

I’m not sure I know where it is. I might have donated it.

GIGI

no way you donated that jacket

you said you wanted to be buried in it

True. I looked darn good in that jacket, except I had no place to wear it. School, the lab at school, and home were the only places I went to in Toronto. I usually wore leggings, a hoodie, and no makeup.

I texted:

I spend most of my time in class or the lab. I felt like someone else could get more use out of it.

GIGI

omg, Em. You’re dead to me if you gave that away without checking w me first

God, she was so dramatic.

Let me ask Papà to look for it and I’ll text you later. Gotta run. Love you!

I turned off my phone and put it on the table. My stomach churned with the stress of lying to everyone, the misery of being away from home. The weariness of having sisters who were estranged from our father.

Not to mention the uncertainty of what was happening with Giacomo. Twice he’d given me an orgasm, and he seemed extremely possessive for a man forced into marriage. I’d expected animosity, but instead he was dragging me to bed and teasing me until I told him everything he wanted to know.

I needed to remain strong. It wasn’t fair that I was revealing my secrets and he wasn’t reciprocating.

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