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I try to hide my annoyance that she knows more about my husband than I do. I am still new here, and as far as the ins and outs of the mafia are concerned, I am as clueless as a newborn. I will need to become more invested and engaged in this world.

“I see. Did anyone die?” Saying the word at the end made my stomach churn.

“Two men, they were just boys. But I’m sure Mr. Davacalli will get to the bottom of who did it. He protects his own jealously and makes sure that no one under his protection is left out in the cold.”

She spoke of him with such admiration. I guess that comes with working with the family for over a decade.

“Okay, how many sugars would you like?” She finishes pouring the milk into the mug.

“Two, please.”

“You two had sex.” She slides me a cup of coffee with a knowing look in her eyes. “And from the look of it, it was some really good sex.”

“H-how do you know that?” My cheeks are on fire, I’m sure the entirety of my face is beet red. “I… I mean we…”

Emily throws her head back and laughs. “You are so adorable. The hair is a dead giveaway and the fact you didn’t bother to cover your hickey. Now, unless you are two-timing your husband, you had sex with him.”

I grab the warm cup in both hands and sip on the caffeinated goodness. I watch her over the rim of my eyes. Her gaze is locked on mine, her eyes bright and her smile wide as the sea.

“So, how do you feel?”

I set the cup down and move in the chair a little. “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

I bite down on my lip and stare at the coffee. I have never really had girlfriends, so all of this is new for me. My brother was my only friend growing up. But Emily seems like a safe enough place to start making friends, even if she is technically the help.

“It was my first time, and it kind of hurt.” I flicked my gaze up to meet hers. “But then it got really good after the pain. Like… really, really good.”

Emily blinks, taking in what I just said. “Wait, you’re—well,were—a virgin? How?!”

I choke out a laugh. “What do you mean how? I just never had sex. I didn’t leave my house often enough to make a connection with anyone. And I was homeschooled all my life. I didn’t even go to university; there was no point when I knew all I wanted to do was paint.”

“I just… you’re gorgeous, and I was certain that men were lining up for miles to have a shot with you.”

I shrug. “Well, there were people who approached my father wanting to date or marry me, but he always refused. He said that the decision to marry who I want was up to me and no one else.”

But that all changed when my brother died.

Emily leans her elbows on the granite counter. “So… you gave your virginity to Mr. Davacalli?”

I nod. “Yeah. He is the only man who will ever experience me in that way.”

I squirm in my seat and drink the coffee before it gets cold. Emily looks over my face like she is trying to get a solid read on me.

“Do you regret it?” The question catches me off guard. “You don’t have to answer that if it’s too personal for you.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. I wouldn’t say that I regret it, but I do wish our relationship was a little different. We aren’t the typical married couple—we were arranged, and not only that, but we don’t know each other.”

She ponders over my words for a moment. “You can get to know him.”

I want to, but I feel as though he wants to keep me at arm’s length. I know that life after his first wife died is hard for him. From what I know of her, she was his sunshine. He existed to revolve around her.

“But how do I compete with a ghost?”

“A ghost?”

Shit. I didn’t realize I said those words out loud.