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15

SAbrINA

T oday, I need to improvise. Mama keeps asking questions about what my plans are for married life.

Given that less than twenty-four hours have elapsed since I found out I’d be having any kind of married life at all, I haven’t given the answers much thought.

“Where will you two live?” she asks.

“Ah, in an apartment,” I say. Safe answer. There’s really no other option in the city. As long as she doesn’t ask whose apartment then there’s no need to elaborate. “Mama, you’re missing the scenery. Isn’t Colorado beautiful?”

She looks out the window and shrugs. “It’s all right.”

Monte catches my eye in the rearview mirror. We both started breathing a lot easier after the departure of Vittorio and his horde of mafia soldiers this morning. I’ve been sitting in the backseat with my mother since we left Kansas. Despite all the turmoil, I’m happy for the chance to spend time with her. I’ve missed her.

With every passing hour, my mother grows more fond of Monte. He’s been on his best behavior, polite and deferential to her. She thinks he’s wonderful. She’s right.

I don’t regret telling him about Jeffrey. It felt good to finally get it all out in the open. And after everything that’s happened between us, I owed him that level of honesty.

My sisters have assured me time and again that I never need to speak a word about that toxic relationship. I could just pretend it never even happened.

For a long time that’s what I tried to do.

Daisy and Anni meant well and my sisters only want the best for me. Unfortunately, pretending has never helped me heal.

But last night, in the wake of a painful confession in a dark room, a degrading burden that has kept me stagnant and fearful for far too long finally began to melt.

After hours of driving, we stop for lunch at a rustic diner and Mama smiles at the way Monte casually rests his arm across the back of my chair. The nervous fizz deep in my belly is far from unpleasant as I scoot a few inches closer to him.

This is how I felt last night as he removed my dress. In that moment, I wanted him so badly and I was so close to consenting. But with one look in the mirror as my dress fell apart, a familiar wave of ice cold dread extinguished everything that felt good and right. And then I ran away from him.

“Your fries look good,” Monte says. His fingers toy with a few strands of my hair, arousing a delightful shiver.

I push my plate in his direction. “Take them. I’m full.”

He picks up all the fries in one handful and stuffs them into his mouth. Then he steals my soda.

“Nice manners, caveman,” I say.

He finishes my soda and grins. He’s so gorgeous and he knows it.

My heartbeat quickens and I purposely bump my knee into his under the table. His fingers sift through my thick hair and his thumb strokes the back of my neck. I crush a napkin in my hand and suppress a groan.

“Mama, did I tell you that Monte is a singer?” I say with fake innocence. “He’s so talented.”

To make me pay for this revelation, he massages my neck with more pressure. Heat explodes between my legs. My thighs clench.

My mother lights up at the news of Monte’s hidden talent. “No, I didn’t know this.”

“Yes, he just loves to perform. He sings for me all the time, don’t you, Monte?”

“Not all the time.” Beneath the table, his leg hooks mine and forces my knees apart. “But I like to hear Sabrina beg me for it.”

I try to shoot him a glare but he’s ready with a smirk that says, ‘ You started this’ .

True. I did. Flirting with him is too much fun and after last night, I feel as if an important hurdle has been cleared. And I’ll take any excuse to be close to him.

“That’s so sweet,” my mother says, with no clue that a small battle has broken out at the table.

“That’s Monte.” I drop my hand to his leg. His powerful thigh muscles flex beneath my palm. “He’s all sweetness.”

“Only for you, honey.” He moves his hand lower, rubbing my back. His fingers find the outline of my bra strap and pluck at it playfully.

An impulsive thrill courses through me and I love the feeling. My hand travels higher on his thigh.

“Maybe you could give us a demonstration,” I suggest and my hand roams higher still.

Monte lets out a strangled cough and leans forward. His hands ball into fists. “Another time,” he chokes out.

Our chipper waiter stops by and drops the check off. “Does anyone want drink refills?”

“I think we’ve had enough,” I say and pat Monte’s leg. “Have you had enough?”

The look he throws me is dangerously scorching, a warning that if I want to play with fire then he’s much better at it.

“Not even close,” he mutters. “But we’ve got to get back on the road.”

I mouth the words, “I win,” to him.

His gaze fixes on my mouth and drifts to my breasts before rising again. “For now,” he whispers in my ear.

“Oh look!” My mother points at something out the window. “There’s a gift shop!”

Monte is eager to get out of here but there’s no stopping my mother when she discovers a charming store full of kitschy souvenirs. She believes that Luca and Anni and little Jane need a bushel of Colorado shirts and keepsakes even though they live here and might very well already own matching Colorado Rockies jerseys.

Monte stands by the door beside a display of sunglasses and twirls his keys with impatience while we shop. His eyes follow me when I approach and pluck a pair of purple-framed sunglasses from the rack.

“You should pick out a souvenir.” I try on the sunglasses and then return them to the rack. “To remember our road trip adventures.”

Monte holds up his left hand and wiggles his ring finger. “Thought I had one already.”

“Funny. Let’s see if we can find something new that suits your style.”

A pair of sparkly child-sized princess glasses looks appropriate. I pull on Monte’s shirt to drag him down to my level so I can add them to his face.

“There,” I say. “You look adorable.”

He removes the glasses and scowls at them. I grab them out of his hand before he can put them back.

“I’m buying these for you,” I say.

“Don’t you want a souvenir?” he says.

I glance around at the shelves of t-shirts and racks of keychains. “Nothing is really catching my eye.”

“I have a suggestion.”

“I don’t really need a shirt that says Colorado Cutie.”

“Not what I was thinking. The one I have in mind isn’t sold here. I need to make it.”

“Make it? What, are you a carpenter too?”

He twirls his keys again. “More like a jeweler.”

I roll my eyes. “Liar. Since when do you know how to make jewelry, Monte?”

“I’m a specialist. I only make one type.”

“What type? I’m picky.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“Why?”

He leans in with a wolfish grin. “Because I’m very sure that a pearl necklace is going to look damn good on you, Sabrina. Just tell me when you’re ready to wear it.”

My cheeks heat up and my tongue won’t work. He laughs.

“I walked right into that one,” I mumble.

“Yeah, you did,” he agrees, pleased with himself.

On my way to find my mother, I spot a keychain with my name on it and decide I can’t pass it up. I dump the keychain and Monte’s new sunglasses on the counter, where Mama is buying half the store. She wants to get a closer look at the wall art behind the register but I can tell Monte is about to start pacing with exasperation so I assure her we have enough souvenirs. Monte carries everything to the car for us and we’re finally on our way again.

We start seeing signs for the small town of Sleepy Rock near five p.m. and thirty minutes after that we’re pulling up to the curb in front of Luca and Anni’s cute house. I texted Anni when we got close to town and they’re already waiting in the front yard. Anni waves. Luca holds a little pink bundle with my niece inside.

At this point, I’m hanging out the window and waving like a maniac, ignoring Monte’s sharp commands to sit down. The car barely brakes to a halt before I’m diving out the door and making a madcap dash to my sister. Anni is faster than I am and we collide near the car.

“Missed you, MISSED YOU!” I’m squeezing her and she squeezes me back.

“Missed you too, Brina,” she laughs as we stagger around the front lawn.

“Let me see you.” I pull back to take in the sight of my sister. “Anni, you look amazing. Radiant. I can’t believe you’re a mother now.”

“Annalisa.” My mother has exited the car and her eyes are cloudy as she stares at my sister.

Anni smiles and holds her arms out. “Mama, I’m so glad you’re here.”

My mother lets out a little cry and runs to her. They haven’t seen each other in over a year, not since Anni and Luca left New York after my father’s funeral. Mama and I moved to Sicily the next day and while I visited Colorado during the holidays, she stayed behind.

Now she holds Anni’s face in her hands. She kisses her cheeks and whispers endearments in Italian. A lot of emotions run through me as I watch their reunion.

Historically, Anni and Mama had a distant relationship. Anni has always been so brash and independent, to the point where she makes people nervous. Our strict and traditional mother never knew what to make of such a fiery middle daughter.

My heart becomes a gooey puddle at the sight of them together now. Mama lovingly fusses over her while Anni for once allows herself to be pampered with attention.

Luca closes the distance between us with a broad grin on his handsome face. I kind of skip saying hello to him at first because I am completely enraptured by the tiny bundle he’s holding.

“Janie, meet your grandmother and your Aunt Sabrina,” Luca says and Jane’s eyelashes flutter. There’s a dusting of dark hair on her small head and her mouth flexes in a precious little yawn.

The sight of my sister’s child makes my eyes mist over and my throat tighten. She’s the most perfect little human I’ve ever seen and I’m filled with so much love for her that I can hardly breathe. I want her to have everything, to be adored everywhere she goes. I want her life to be perfect.

Luca gives Jane to her grandmother first. Mama’s tears flow freely as she carefully takes Anni’s baby in her arms. The two of them stare at each other and I feel lucky to witness their instant bond.

Meanwhile, Luca walks over to greet Monte, who leans against the hood of the car, doing nothing but looking ludicrously hot as he watches the scene unfold. Luca and Monte share the kind of gruff back-slapping embrace that only men do. Luca murmurs something to Monte but I don’t know if Monte answers because Mama is calling my name.

I feel nervous as my mother gently transfers my niece into my arms. It’s hard to believe that someone I just met could inspire so much unconditional love that I’m ready to burst. Jane is alert and the way she scans my face with intense concentration reminds me of my sister.

“You’re so beautiful,” I coo in a soft voice. “Just like your mother. Sweet little Janie. I love you more than the world.”

Her eyes don’t waver from my face. It’s not realistic to believe she understands what I’m saying and yet somehow I’m sure that she does.

Mama is eager to hold Jane again so in a few minutes I give up her warm little body with reluctance. Meanwhile, Luca has persuaded Monte to come a little closer and Anni finally notices him.

She tosses her hair over her shoulder and props her hands on her hips. “That’s right,” she says. “This happened.” She glances at the ring on my finger with a scowl and then turns her attention back to Monte.

“Hi, Anni,” he says and tolerates the way she looks him up and down with obvious irritation.

But then she sighs and drops her hands from her hips. “Good to see you, Monte,” she mutters.

She doesn’t run over to hug him but she also doesn’t sound completely hostile. She’s probably remembering that she owes Monte a considerable debt. Both Monte and Nico took a great personal risk to stand by Luca. They stormed a house filled with heavily armed enemies in order to rescue Anni from my father the day of the Valentine’s Massacre. Without Monte and Nico, both Luca and Anni might not have survived.

Anni is practical enough to understand this. That’s why she manages to give Monte a grudging nod despite the fact that she’s seething over our wedding news.

However, Mama is going to make sure everyone properly welcomes Monte to the family. She rocks back and forth with Jane in her arms and gives Monte a fond smile. “Annalisa, I wish you could have been there for the wedding yesterday but look how happy your sister is.”

All eyes suddenly focus on me. I do my best to look ecstatically happy.

“Come and see the baby, Monte,” my mother orders and he obediently moves closer. Anni joins them and I’m left standing a little bit apart from everyone else until Luca steps up.

“I didn’t hear a hello from you,” Luca says, pretending to sound hurt.

“Hello, Luca.” I give him a quick side hug and keep an anxious eye on Monte while he’s being scrutinized by Anni.

Luca notices where I’m looking and his rascally grin appears. I expect there’s some wicked teasing on the way. My brother-in-law is an infamous sarcasm king with a fiendish sense of humor. No wonder he and Monte are such close friends.

He cracks his knuckles. “How’s married life so far?”

“Didn’t you listen to Mama? I’m exceedingly happy and not feeling at all threatened that my homicidal warlord of an uncle might drag me back to his Sicilian prison and make Monte disappear if he suspects our marriage is fake.”

Luca nods and a serious shadow of worry briefly falls over his face before he cheers up. “I suppose we’ll need to be creative during your visit.”

“What are you talking about?” I keep my eyes fastened on Monte as my mother urges him to admire Jane. He stares down at the tiny girl for a moment and then smiles.

Luca rubs a hand on his jaw and acts like he’s trying to solve a very challenging puzzle. “You might remember that we have four bedrooms. One of them is the master, one is now the nursery and then there are two guest rooms. Your mother will take one, which leaves one bedroom left.”

“You’re so good at math, Luca. Does Anni know how talented you are? Must make her light-headed that you can count to four.”

“Strangely, Anni is far more impressed with my other talents. But there’s still only one bedroom left. So are you going to sleep on the pullout sofa or is Monte?”

“How will I explain anyone sleeping on the sofa when I’m supposed to be a blissful newlywed?”

He nods. “I see your point. I guess you’ll have to make your mother believe you’re sharing a room and then one of you can crash on the couch after she retires for the night.”

“That won’t work. Mama is an insomniac and she tends to wander around when she can’t sleep. She’ll notice if he’s sleeping on the couch. Monte and I will just have to sleep in the same room.”

Luca’s eyebrows shoot up and he stares at me.

My face grows defensively hot. “Look, I stayed at his apartment and we’ve been traveling together for days so it’s nothing new. My mother will be very distressed if we’re caught sleeping apart.”

“I see,” he says, openly smirking.

“Do I need to explain this to you again?” I hiss. “Monte and I are supposed to be newlyweds. There are things at stake here. We cannot sleep in separate rooms. Cope.”

Luca cracks up. Well, my brother-in-law can go ahead and chuckle himself to pieces all he wants. I don’t need to listen.

“Mind your own business,” I mutter and leave him there to laugh his ass off alone. I want to hold Jane again. His laughter follows me as I walk away.

Luca is very fortunate that he’s made my sister sublimely happy and given me an adorable niece because sometimes he really gets on my nerves.