“Great, so if we’re being watched, we all get caught with our hands on product.”
“What is the most expensive thing we have left?”
“Pills that look like oxy but they’re fentanyl. We have millions in them, stashed at numerous locations. Some are at Francesca’s port and are being loaded as we speak.”
“I’m not worried there,” Riccardo stands, “she’s fucking hardcore and she’d kill her own again if she needed to. Those guys won’t ever cross her after the night she gave up her own brothers.”
“Agreed.”
“Me too,” Dante takes his last bite. “I think we let that shipment go. Let’s change some things about the next shipment, like the timing on when it’s shipped, use smaller amounts and different routes. Only Riccardo will know the specifics.”
“The middlemen won’t be happy getting less than promised,” Riccardo points out.
“Tell them it’s temporary and they’ll get their full order in due time. I’m good for it.
“What about your wedding?”
“I guess we have to go about business as usual.”
20
Prende
Now that we’re rid of the black book, we can breathe easier. I’ve made peace with Uncle Bressy and we even had him over for dinner and to show him I’m doing fine without him and Papa controlling me.
Christmas is for family and I’m grateful for my newfound family. We all gather at Mama Micheli’s to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. Everyone knows Marchello collects expensive watches, but I bought him one I can afford. It’s a vintage Cartier.
We crowd around the Christmas tree we decorated last week and exchange small gifts with the family, like gloves and scarves. After more than one glass of fine wine, my head is fuzzy and I reach for the fizzy water to hydrate.
After a late dinner, it’s time to attend midnight Mass. The men drive everyone in their Audis and Maseratis to the family church in Fiesole. We show up just in time to hear the church bells chime and enter to find every pew is packed. Luckily ours is reserved and empty.
I squeeze in next to my new family, thinking of my mama and papa, and resolve to make the best of my current situation. See, I’ve been holding back. By that I mean, even though I give my body to Marchello, I refuse to give him any indication that I might be enjoying our life together.
Mila told me never to be the first to bare my soul to someone. Hell will freeze over before Marchello ever admits he has any feelings for me. I’m not going first but I would love to know where I stand with him.
New Years is here before you know it and we have dinner with his family, but after dessert we leave Mama at home to go out on the town. I have the best time dancing and drinking but wake up the next morning with one hell of a hangover. Marchello brings me two aspirin and an alcoholic drink.
“Trust me.”
I drink what he gives me and it tastes like old champagne from the night before. With the room still spinning and my stomach in my throat, I fall back into my pillow, swearing I’ll never drink again.
He holds my hand and talks me through it until I drift off to sleep and when I wake up, I feel fine.
Damn, he’s a man of many talents and I love discovering them all.
It’s the day before Dante and Juliet’s wedding. Guests from around the world are arriving and Marcello wakes me.
“We need to go, I have a surprise. I only got you diamond earrings for Christmas so you would have something to open with the family, but your real gift is waiting.”
I get out of bed, but stall, I have so much work to do at the store. Besnik said it’s all mine but I have to do my own books. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining but I’m not one to sit at a computer and input revenue and expenses and figure out how to balance it all. I’m afraid to ask Marchello for help because I don’t want to risk that he might ask to launder money through my shop. I just want to sell flowers, not be a forensic accountant.
“Alright.” I agree to go and figure, why not? It still feels like Christmas.
“Great.” He runs to grab a jacket.
He’s in a hurry so I apply minimal makeup. Lipstick and concealer will have to do. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I wonder who I am. I look the same but feel different than I did a month ago. I feel optimistic and unafraid for the first time in my life.
It’s a good thing I let Mila talk me into buying some outfits at a Versace end-of-the-season sale. After seeing what Juliet and Francesca wear when we go out, I knew I had to up my game.