Page 32 of Twisted Trust (Mafia Lords of Sin #10)

MAEVE

“ W hat about this one?”

A week after Elio was shot and killed at the airport, Marcella stands in front of me holding two bouquets with a small smile on her face. She’s thrown herself into planning the wedding, and I’m happy to let her if it gives her a distraction from the grief.

Studying both, I flash her a smile. “You think the roses are better?”

“Of course, dear. Roses symbolize passion and romance, and we need a little bit of that right now, don’t you think?

” Her smile widens. “I think ten red roses will be perfect. We can do six large and four small to create the dome shape and wrap them in a ribbon the same pearl as your dress. Maybe even a few leaves here and there for greenery.”

“You paint a beautiful picture,” I assure her. “I’d love that. Scott also wants to carry flowers and I’d like him to. I want him to be as involved as possible.”

“Does he even understand what you’re doing?” Marcella sets the bouquets down as one of the boutique assistants arrives with yet another glass of wine for her.

“Of course he does.”

“He’s only four.”

“And he’s incredibly perceptive. You’ve spent time with him. You know how smart he is.”

“Hmm.” Marcella hums as she drinks while I busy myself on my laptop ticking flowers off the list.

We don’t have much left to plan since Marcella has been throwing herself into this, although Elio’s funeral is just before Halloween and the wedding is two weeks after. If we’re not careful, she won’t spend any time planning the funeral, but it’s such a delicate topic to approach.

“While you and Levi were away, Elio and I spent some time teaching Scott how to play chess, but he was terrible!” She laughs as she settles herself down on the reclining couch.

“I said to Elio, I said, he’s almost exactly like Levi was at that age.

Big,, beautiful eyes, a smart brain, but no patience for games like that.

All Levi wanted to do was go running and swimming, but Elio wants to teach his grandson how to play?—”

She abruptly cuts herself off. I look up and her eyes are filled with tears while she presses a hand over her mouth as grief takes her. My heart squeezes painfully in my chest as the guilt I’m trying to escape wells up inside me like vomit.

“I suppose he won’t have the chance now, will he?” she whispers, shaking her head until a few of her perfectly pinned curls slip from their place. “Oh, God. I’m sorry, don’t pay attention to me.”

Rising from my seat, I cross the small lounge and sit next to her while she tries to wipe away her tears. Having never dealt with this kind of pain with my parents since they both passed when I was young, it’s strange to deal with this now.

“Please don’t apologize for being upset,” I say softly, taking one of her hands in mine. “You’re in pain. Allow yourself to feel.”

“Who has time for that?” She sniffles while unable to look me in the eye. The more she weeps, the more painful my chest grows until words just blurt out of me before I can stop them.

“Scott is Levi’s son.”

Marcella flinches faintly and gazes at me with her wide, swimming eyes. “I beg your pardon?”

“Scott… he’s Levi’s. We met years ago and one thing led to another, but Scott is his.

There was just a lot going on and we got caught up in someone else’s game, and it’s only now we’ve reunited, but I assure you that Levi is Scott’s father.

That’s also why they’re spending time together today, to bond. ”

Marcella looks like she’s been hit by a truck and her hand trembles in mine. “Truly?”

“Yes.” It’s hard to keep my own tears from creeping up with how emotional she is. “So Elio was able to spend time with his own grandson. And it’s time that Scott will remember forever.”

The dam breaks and Marcella bursts into floods of tears while clutching at my hand. “Oh, my goodness, Elio you fool! You bloody fool!” She shakes her head and then leans into me, so I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly while she sobs on my shoulder. “Thank you,” she weeps. “Thank you!”

She clings to me for the better part of an hour until her tears finally slow and the assistant appears with tissues and some cooling jade for her face to combat swelling.

“How are you feeling?” I ask gently, wary about bringing the tears back.

She shakes her head and dabs at her eyes.

“I lost the love of my life,” she says hoarsely.

“But apparently, I’ve gained a grandchild which I feared was never in my future.

Elio… he was a tough man, but he was a good man.

When I look at Levi, I ache for what he has lost.” She lifts her gaze to meet mine. “Does he know?”

“About Scott?”

She nods.

“Yes. He knows.”

“That’s good.” She sniffles and sighs. “That’s very good.”

“Marcella, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, dear.”

“I… when Scott was born, I tried to reach out to you. I wrote a letter to you because I was in a tough spot. Did that ever reach you?”

Her brows lift as she rapidly shakes her head. “Goodness, not at all! I don’t tend to get letters in this day and age.”

“My phone had been cut off,” I say wryly. “It was my only way to reach you.”

She frowns and bundles up a tissue in her fist. “I think I would have remembered a letter. What did it say?”

“I explained who Scott was and that I was unwell. I was scared I wasn’t going to make it and he would be all alone.”

“Good heavens.” Marcella reaches for my hand and clutches at my wrist and forearm. “I certainly would remember something like that!”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am!” Her indignant tone cracks slightly from emotion as she speaks. “I would have told Levi immediately and we would have found you. Are you sure it reached me, dear?”

I want to tell her yes since not long after I sent it, that tall, thin man turned up at my door and told me they wanted me dead, but I doubt she can handle such news right now. Instead, I shake my head.

“There’s a chance it was lost in the post somewhere. I just always wondered.”

“Dear, I would never turn my back on my family. Certainly not my own grandchild, and Levi would never turn his back on his son. I’m so sorry you felt so alone!”

“It’s okay.”

“No, dear, it’s not. A new mother deserves a village around her to help. Were your parents not willing?”

“Both of them are dead.” I’m taken aback by the deep caring in her words. She sounds like she’s genuinely distressed about not receiving this letter and it warms me to know that maybe if it had reached her, the truth would have come out a lot sooner.

“I’m sorry you were alone. Elio and I would have found you. Goodness.” Her gaze falls away as she touches her temple. “So much lost time. At my age, it becomes so much more important, you know?”

“Please, you have nothing to apologize for.”

“Oh, but I do.” Her grip tightens affectionately on my wrist. “Levi never told me he was seeing someone. Perhaps if he trusted me more, this all could have been avoided, but it’s no matter.

” Sniffling, she looks back at me and smiles a watery smile.

“I’m sorry you were alone and frightened for so many years, Maeve, but I promise you that ends now.

You’re family and Scott is family. Once you and Levi are wed, everything my husband worked for will be secured.

So if you need anything from me, I’m here for you. ”

“I think I’m supposed to be saying that to you.” I chuckle softly. “But thank you.”

“What I need is another glass of wine!” Marcella pauses and glances at her undrunk glass. “Actually, perhaps some coffee instead.” She pats my hand once and rises while calling for the assistant.

I’m about to follow when my phone buzzes and my heart jumps slightly, expecting to see a message from Levi.

It’s not.

A new email appears from a new contact, causing my heart to plummet in disgust.

It’s from George.

He’s in Las Vegas, and he wants to meet so I can give him his money in person while giving me a number to call.

Great .