Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“I disagree.” Dima held up one finger. “I was just a kid, but there was tons of gossip about it for a long time. I think it ended around the time I was in junior high which would put you in elementary school. Mother came home one night raving to my uncles about how your father had shot three men dead for questioning if you were his child.”
I. . .didn’t know that?
I froze.
Dima nodded. “After those men died, people kept their thoughts to themselves, and were forbidden to whisper about it.”
“I never. . .ever. . .knew anything about this.”
Dima shrugged. “I always found the dynamics interesting. When we were in high school, Romeo used to tell me how he hated the way your family treated you.”
My heart warmed. “Really? He said that?”
“Chanel too. She thought that if their mother had you, then things would have been different for you.”
I blinked. “But. . .some people loved my mother.”
Dima shook his head. “I don’t believe so. Not according to Romeo, Chanel, and even my mother. You must remember that your mother was the other women.”
Say what now?
“Wow.” I edged back. “Now that’s not true.”
As a kid, I had never put two and two together when it came to grown folks’ business. For as long as I could remember, my mother and father had been married and I had a brother and sister. Being that my father had full custody, Mrs. Tina always came around to see Romeo and Chanel, and when she did, she always was nice to me.
Tomasso noticed Dima’s men holding several gowns. “Are they keeping those for you, Kashmere?”
“I’m taking them.” Dima put his notebook in his pocket.
Tomasso quirked his brows. “Excuse me?”
Dima placed his view on me. “Are we done?”
“Well, you have completely shocked me with your plan for the future, disrupted my thoughts on my childhood, and also taken some gowns, I would hope you are finished.”
“Good.” Dima gave me an awkward salute and headed off.
His men followed, carrying the gowns.
Tomasso pointed at them. “Are they really taking those gowns?”
I let out a long breath. “Just put it on my account. Arguing with Dima, once he has his mind set on something is a complete waste of time.”
“Al-righty.” He turned to the gowns on the chair. “Red and black. Very interesting.”
“Yeah.” I grinned. “My gangster stylist thought it would be a good idea.”
“O-kay.” Tomasso pushed the new rack over to the side. “I have to rush over to Santino to make sure his tuxedo fitting is going well. Also, several DeLucas have arrived early either for the wedding or war. Only God knows.”
“Oh. Who came?”
“Don Enzo is here with an army. Nicolo, Giovanni, Corso, Primo, Carmine—”
“I have no idea who any of them are.”
Tomasso gave me a sad smile. “You will soon. DeLuca men are not the invisible sort they are big, dangerous, and imposing. And soon they will be your family.”
My nerves flared.
“Alright.” Tomasso clapped his hands. “Let’s have you go to the dressing room in the back and try everything on. Pick your favorite five gowns so that you can model them off for Mrs. Tina and everyone else.”
Chapter 13
The Fitting
Kashmere
The bridal dressing room was down the hall from my private suite. The enclosed space had a white door. A mural of brides decorated the four walls. In the back, a small space was curtained off with silver drapes. And the whole space smelled of a summer garden—lilacs and roses, sunflowers and lavender.
Two women had carried gowns into the space and hung them on racks near the drapes.
Another woman appeared with a silver tray stacked with a steaming cup of tea, a bottle of sparkling water, and a glass of champagne. She left it on the table near the door and disappeared with the other women.
Then, there was silence.
I went to the white door, locked it, and placed my guns by the tray.
Okay. I’m really going to pick one.
I unbuttoned my shirt and placed it on the table.
Next, I took off my shoes and my pants.
When I looked at myself in the mirror, a woman who looked both nervous and happy stared back at me.
I’m getting married.
I went toward the drapes and picked the only white gown that I liked. The rest were red and black.
My fingers tingled with anticipation as I touched the edge of the gown and traced the white silk with my fingertips. I had never worn anything so fine before.
I’ll check this one out first, even though I doubt this is the one.
Dima’s thinking really had seeped into my mind.
Therefore, I had tons of red and black gowns to try out.
With a deep breath, I stepped into the white gown, buttoning up each clasp with trembling hands.
Let’s see.
I made my way over to the mirror, feeling a surge of adrenaline rush through me as I took a glimpse of my reflection. The white gown contrasted sharply against my brown skin, and suddenly I was filled with an intense sense of anticipation.