The doorbell rings, and I head out of the kitchen to see who is here. Maybe I shouldn’t answer.
Then the door opens to Aria and another woman who’s a bit older. “Ah, there you are. I wouldn’t have come in, but we weren’t sure you’d know to open the door. The house is secure, so you don’t have to worry about strangers. So this is my mother-in-law, Signora Bianchi.”
“Hello,” I say, blushing.
“She’s gorgeous.”
“Right? No wonder Nero’s acting like an idiot.”
“Please don’t be mad at him for not telling you he was leaving.”
“I got his note. Although, we’re not that close, so it’s not like he has to tell me where he’s going.”
“I told you she doesn’t get how lost Nero is.”
“She’s adorable.”
“Um… thanks. I was in the kitchen about to make a dessert for after dinner. Do you know what he’d prefer?”
“Well, it depends on what you have. He prefers fresh apple pie. I know my baby boy.” Nero did say she was more like a mother to him than his own. I smile as she leads us into the kitchen. “So you’re making him a dessert. I can’t wait for the wedding.”
“I’m sorry, Signora Bianchi, because he’s not going to give you time for a big wedding.”
“I don’t have any family or friends to invite anyway.”
“Ay dio, I just need a week. You kids. I’m calling your mother and we’re going to get to work.”
“Oh goodness. You’re going to have a huge wedding.”
“You know, Nero hasn’t asked me and we hardly know each other.”
“It’s so cute how she doesn’t think it’s going to happen. You can stay with us if you want to avoid temptation. Nero won’t bed you until you’re his wife.”
“What?”
“That’s the vow the men in the family took. No putanas and no bedding your bride-to-be before the wedding.” Aria goes on to tell me how their wedding was a last-minute change, but I’m still trying to put it together that they’re telling me Nero’s a virgin.
“Wait… are you telling me that Nero has saved himself for marriage?” I shake my head, not believing it.
“Yes. He has more reasons for it. His mother was a putana and she used his father and tried to make him betray his family. He only wants his wife to be in his bed.”
“Oh.” That explains the fact that he put me back into the guest room.
“I see the wheels turning in her head.”
“I need to make the pie, and I don’t know about the wedding. I’m not counting my chickens before they’re hatched.”
“Just so you know, I can be a bridesmaid.”
“If that’s the case, you can.”
“Yay,” she squeals, jumping up and hugging me.
We make the pie together for the next couple of hours, and it’s a total blast. These women are amazing, and I’m grateful that they want me to be included.
We’re just pulling the last pie out of the oven when Dom calls, saying he needs her to come home and to take care of Luca.
With a shrug of her shoulders, she says, “Okay. Come on, ladies, let’s take pie to the men instead. We’ll leave the second one for you two, but this will make their day. I’m sure whatever it is, the men are going to do something important.”
“Are you sure I should go?”
“Why not? If he has a problem with it, tell him to fuck off.”
“We’re gonna be good friends.”
“That we are.” We leave the house, and Aria locks the door and then hands me the keys. I’m surprised, but I tuck them in my pocket and hop in the back seat. “Luigi, this is Mariana, Nero’s future bride.”
“Not yet,” I say, reminding them it’s not official in any way, shape, or form.
“Yes, I know who she is.” He smiles at me, and I wonder if I’m the last person to learn of our impending marriage. As soon as we pull through a large steel gate, I spot a vehicle I recognize instantly. I hope it’s not the case. “Um… who’s car is that?” The license plates with “P. King” on them give it away, and I have my answer.
“The men have a guest. It’s nothing that should concern you.”
“Actually, it does. I can’t go in there. Please, can you drop them off and take me back to the house,” I confess, voice shaking as I duck my head down.
“Of course. Of course,” Aria says, rubbing my arm to comfort me. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. It’s just that he’s a sleazebag,” I tell her. It’s all I really can say because of his threat to me, which was enough to send me running for my life.
“And Nero knows it, Miss Conlon,” Luigi adds.
“Does he, though?” I challenge.
“Stay in the car and down. Ladies, I’ll escort you in and take Miss Conlon back.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. They exit the vehicle, and then Luigi returns a minute later.