Page 91 of The Mafia's Bride

The reaper glares hard, before he smiles at me like I said something amusing. If I need Sloane to be safe, then he needs to keep Ace safe. “I’ll have the name in a few days. Hold off shipments until then.”

“Be sure that you do.” It’ll be tight in the meantime. Product will be limited. Profits will decrease. But it’s better than missing entire shipments and taking a loss.

Killian gestures to the ship. “You know, Ace won’t be happy about this.”

“I figured.” I turn toward my car, swiping the glass out of the seat.

“I’ll have to tell her.”

I glare hotly. “You really are Ace’s bitch, aren’t you? What, she says roll over and you just lay there, legs spread wide?”

Killian smiles coldly. “And sometimes, I wag my tail.” He winks and walks in the opposite direction, into the shadows.

I don’t call out to him. Killian will get me a name. If not for me, then for his master.

I just hope my organization and marriage can withstand the storm in the meantime.

36

SLOANE

When Nico said he was taking me target shooting, I thought he was kidding.

Apparently, men and women in this family, learn to hold a gun early in life. It becomes imperative for survival. Although Lex makes comments about not understanding why Maeve never let me touch a gun, Nico stays silent and has me concentrating on hitting the target.

Three days spent learning target practice in the spring air, three nights of doing research and figuring out price points for Nico’s auction, I’m falling into a sort of rhythm.

The dresses he has are gorgeous, valuable, and highly illegal.

Nothing for me to worry about. This is just business.

I spend my time making the starting bid list, sending out invites, instructing Nico on the best way to display the items. I’ve always had a thing for fashion and have been to all the shows growing up thanks to Pops’ money. I want this gala to rival one of those shows in Milan.

I’ve also enjoyed three nights of love with Lex.

I didn’t even look at my phone until Monday morning. I had a serious number of missed texts and calls from Danica after texting her last week.Finally.

The length of time she went silent wasn’t the scary part. What was scary was thinking my husband hurt her. Clearly, she just needed time to relax, to calm down, and come back around.

I know Lex didn’t want her around me—hell, everyone didn’t. But I wanted to see my only friend. Lex would understand once I explained it.

Yea… he probably wouldn’t. Not really.

I couldn’t just cut her out so quickly, though.

That’s why I was at a local pub in the Little Italy, midafternoon, the place practically empty. The cold martini in front of me was strong and so was my eyeliner.

Danica walked through the doors with a flourish, her blonde freshly dyed, her lips a pale pink. She looked every bit the Barbie she idolized, her skimpy red shorts and lacy white top more overdressed than the bar needed. I was basically casual in my high-neck designer teal dress and slip-ons. They’re Jimmy Choo though, so I’m not a complete monster.

As soon as she sees me, she pulls off her too big for her face sunglasses and runs into my arms. She smells like sex and bubblegum, something I used to miss.

Now, it’s off-putting. I never realized how much it bugged me.

“Oh my god,” she breathes, hugging me tight. “I was so happy to see you get back to me. When I didn’t hear from you, I expected the worst.”

I feel a pang of guilt at that. Of course, she’s worried about me. I’m married to a mafia heir being groomed to take the throne, who supposedly killed his last lover. Obviously, she’s worried.

It’s the first time she’s shown me that. I wonder why that is?