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It had taken me weeks to get Madeline interested in wearing heels again. Anything that used to make her happy, she wouldn’t let herself have. Almost like a form of self-punishment.

She even refused to get her shoe collection from her mothers.

Taking her hand, I placed it on my shoulder, lifting her foot, slipping the heel on.

Tonight, she wouldn’t be leaving my side. I’d make sure of it.

Pulling the straps behind her ankle, over her foot, under the heel and back around her ankle.

“Of course, you know how to tie them,” shaking her head, smiling. “Is there anything you don’t know how to do?”

Standing back up, I took her hand. “What kind of husband would I be if I didn’t know?”

That small frown on her face. God. I knew how to tie the straps of her heel. After years of watching her, do it. Why did the bare minimum impress her?

I opened the front door.

“You didn’t tell me that they were waiting for us!” She whacked my chest, looking at the line of black wagons.

“They can wait.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and lifted her down the steps.

One of the guards opened the back door. Holding her hand as she stepped up. “Do not get out of the car until I get you.” I reached for the seatbelt.

“Wait. What?”

“Standard rule of the family. We never share a car when traveling together. Lowers the chances of us all being killed at once.”

We broke the rule once, and Cecilia nearly died. A few seconds later she would have been in the car with mom and not walking towards it when it blew up.

“I understand that,” she held my hand, “But I’d rather die in the car with you. Then watch it. So, if that’s how I die, so be it.”

She had a point, or perhaps when it came to her, I couldn’t say no.

I stared at her hand on mine. It was rare these days for her to touch me.

“Please Vince,”

The lack of power I have when she asks anything of me should be studied.

I nodded, closing the door and walking around the car. There was no doubt my brothers would bring this up later.

But an unwanted lecture from them would be easier to live through. Then knowing Madeline was two cars back, upset with me.

Another Casino, another opening. The same boring questions and scripted answers. On nights like this, I was thankful that Bastion and Luca were good with people. If I was in charge of answering questions, the headlines that were released wouldn’t be promotional.

I opened the door to the private function room. I had been gone not even ten minutes and Cecilia had taken my seat next to my wife. Bastion placed a drink next to Madeline, sitting on her other side.

Cecilia glared at him, “Go away Bas. Can’t you see where talking?”

“Me sitting here doesn’t stop your mouth from moving.”

“Vince!” Cecilia yelled, looking over her shoulder at me. “Make him leave. He ruins everything!”

Worse than children. Taking my whiskey from in front of her. “Bug, are you okay?” surely that one conversation with Bastion wouldn’t make her this tearful.

Rolling her eyes, she reached for her glass, refusing to look at me.

I didn’t have the patience today for twenty questions. Walking around the other side of the table, dragging a chair out, pretending it didn’t bother me, I lost my seat.