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The arrangement was supposed to be a business transaction, but she’d just made it very personal.

By doing nothing but being herself.

* * *

“Fuck. You looked very much the Underboss,” Gio said as he flanked my side.

I was studying the crowd of people who’d gathered in almost every room. The party was almost as lavish as the birthday party from only days before. However, the slightly more intimate setting of remaining inside the estate made securing the premises much easier.

I’d insisted everyone be checked at the front door for weapons. That didn’t mean a few hadn’t been brought in via ankle holsters, but I’d doubted Don Lupini had wanted to engage in body or cavity searches.

“I’m merely doing my job, Gio. I suggest you do yours.” I glanced down at the drink he had in his hand and he immediately noticed my harsh gaze.

He placed the drink on the tray of a passing waiter, dropping his head in a nod of respect. It would take a while for those who’d been mostly on an even playing field to see me as their boss.

They would learn if I needed to remind them on a daily basis. Including physically.

“Go check the perimeter again. I don’t want a single interruption during this party. Do you understand?”

“Absolutely, boss. I’m on it.”

I nodded in passing and locked my gaze on my bride to be. She was busy chatting with her sister, the younger girl throwing me glances every so often. I thought it reprehensible Don Lupini had tossed the seventeen-year-old out as an option. What kind of father did that to his daughter?

I would never allow Jessica to date. An ache formed in my chest just thinking about my sweet girl. I’d already begun to realize it was a distinct possibility she’d never see her father again.

I’d driven by my sister’s house on the way home from meeting with Louis. I don’t know what had possessed me to do it other than I’d needed to see the little girl with my own eyes. I was beginning to distrust the DEA. It had been made readily apparent they’d stop at nothing to make their names with high profile arrests.

Including at the expense of me and my family.

Sighing, I noticed Don Santorelli had finally made an entrance, Bronco and another man who’d been promoted to a Capo flanking his side. He was immediately met by a waitress, and was the only one of the three accepting a drink.

To Sasha Lupini’s credit, she immediately approached the powerful man, acting as if she was honored to have his presence. I finally headed to one of three bars, ordering another scotch. When I turned around, I noticed the two Dons were chatting as if they were old friends. I was torn with how I felt about it. This change in operations had been unexpected enough, I’d yet to wrap my arms around my new position and the fact there was someone stalking both families.

Brand new territory.

Not to mention the wedding date had already been selected, mentioned to me in passing as if it was just another business meeting.

What would it mean to Carmella other than a loss of freedom?

I finally turned my attention in her direction, a smile trying to form on my face. She was doing her best to keep her end of the insufferable deal we’d made only thirty minutes before. Her smile could light up a room, her effervescence entirely different than when she’d stormed from the house. I almost wondered what she had up her sleeve.

As I moved through the crowd of people toward her, almost every guest shifted easily. But all eyes were on one or the other of us. The news had already been spread to the correct people. By morning, there wouldn’t be a single crime syndicate from here to Chicago and down through Baltimore that wasn’t aware of our impending nuptials.

I’d been in the business long enough to know that would either present itself with what our enemies felt was a golden opportunity to strike or would put the fear of God into them buying us some time.

Either way, my men would be ready for an impending attack.

The feelers on the streets were coming back with some information, but not enough to form a correct opinion on who’d been behind the attack. I was itching to discover something. Anything.

“You’re lost in thought,” Carmella said. She kept the smile even though she was inches from me, even waving to someone across the room.

“Aren’t the both of us? You’re a marvelous actress.”

She laughed with such bitterness in her tone I could feel it vibrating in my bones. “I’ve had a lot of practice.”

“Michael Lupini, and I suppose you’re the one required to marry my sister.” The young man’s voice was just beginning to grow to the deep tone held by his father. He wasn’t holding out his hand, merely stating a fact he obviously didn’t like.

“That is correct. Alejandro Banderas.”