Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“I always put the family before myself,” I say, dropping my hands to my side. “Always, my entire life, until Molly. For once, I found something worth breaking all the rules for. I love her, Renzo, and she’s carrying my baby. I can’t live without her. I won’t live without her. If you need to throw me out, then do it, but don’t think for a second that’ll change my mind. I’ve given so much, and I don’t regret any of it, but I won’t sacrifice her, too. Not even for you.”
Renzo’s lips twitch. I turn my back, body aching. I hate him, but most of all, I hate myself and this damn situation. I glance over at Carlo and Gian, and both of my brothers look aghast. Gian’s staring at Renzo with rage in his eyes, and Carlo’s pale white like he doesn’t know what to do. I want to comfort them. I want to tell them it’s okay. A part of me can die today, but I’ll still have her.
“Get out, Saul.” Renzo’s voice is steady. There’s no room for argument. “I made my decision.”
“Fuck you, bro.” Carlo gets to his feet. “This is fucking bullshit.”
“Sit the fuck down, Carlo, or I swear I’ll throw your ass out too.”
“Oh, go fuck yourself, you self-righteous little prick. Dad never should’ve named you Don. Made you way too fucking full of yourself.” Carlo storms to the door and shoves it open. He gestures at me. “You coming?”
I glance back at Renzo. His face hasn’t changed. I want to make him understand that I’d do anything for him—anything except give her up.
“Yeah, I’m coming.” I follow Carlo into the hall. Gian follows and refrains from cursing out the Don, even though it’s clear he wants to.
“What a stubborn cock,” Carlo says, stomping down the hall. He whirls on me, holding a finger in my face. “You really love that girl? You actually meant all that sappy shit in there?”
I laugh once. “Yeah, man. I meant it.”
“Good. You better have or else he’s right to kick your ass out.” Carlo drops his hand. “What a fucking shitty situation.” He storms off again and doesn’t look back this time.
Gian’s hand squeezes my shoulder. “We’ll work on him.”
“I don’t think there’s any room left for change in Renzo anymore,” I say quietly, shaking my head.
“He thinks too much like the Don and he forgot that he’s still our brother, but we’ll work on him.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
“For now, why don’t you introduce me to your wife?” Gian’s smile is the most genuine thing I’ve seen in a while, and I can’t explain how much it means to me.
Even if this is the last time I’ll get to be in this place around these people for a very long time.
Chapter 30
Molly
“Here’s what you have to understand about being a Rossi wife,” Allegra says as we walk through the garden. “It’s a fucking lot.”
“Quit complaining,” Stefania says, rolling her eyes. “I mean, yeah, my brothers are a bunch of violent, stubborn pricks, but come on. Life’s good.”
“Life’s good,” Maddie agrees and beams at me. “What do you think so far?”
I don’t have any words. All I can do is laugh and shake my head, and she seems to understand.
The girls introduced themselves to me on the porch. I was told Saul’s mom is usually out there with them, but she was having a bad day and stayed in her room. After we chatted a little, they gave me a quick tour of the house, bantering comfortably with each other the whole time, and now we’re wandering through the most intense and gorgeous garden I’ve ever seen in my life.
“There must be an entire squad of landscapers for all this,” I say, running my hand through a bush.
Allegra snorts. “Yeah, right. This is all Maddie.”
“No way. Seriously?”
“It’s a hobby,” she says casually which makes the other two laugh.
“It’s her other baby,” Stefania says. “There’s Brando, and there’s the garden. Sometimes I wonder which she loves more.”
Maddie gives Stefania a hard look. “Obviously, I love my son the most.” But then she hesitates. “I might love the garden more than Renzo though.”
We all laugh. I feel more welcome than I ever imagined. I figured they’d be cold and tolerant of me at best, but instead, all three are going out of their way to be nice to me. It turns out that Maddie and Allegra both had very complicated introductions to the Rossi world, and Stefania’s just a nice person in general. By the time we’re looping back around toward the back porch, I’m starting to feel a real connection with these women, and I can see myself forming actual friendships.
But then I spot Saul standing in the shade and all that happiness drops away.
“Oh, he doesn’t look happy,” Stefania mutters.