Page 5 of Vows of a Mobster

I eyed her dubiously. “All of it?”

“Yes, all of it,” she confirmed. Daphne’s dad was a distant relative to Marissa’s father, so it made them eight times removed cousins. Or something along those lines. “I heard my mom say it several times.” We were by a bistro now and she clapped her hands excitedly. “Let’s sit outside.”

I glanced around and pointed to the empty table. We headed towards it and sat down, when I finally replied.

“If you can get me in, Marissa, I’ll take it, and I’ll forever be indebted to you. The sooner I get insurance, the sooner they’ll get Emma started on treatments and get her on the waiting list for the bone marrow match.” Ever since the diagnosis came back, I couldn’t help but worry. I kept trying to be positive, but it was hard not to fear another round of treatments and the impact it would have on her little body. “But I’ll understand if they reject me.”

“They won’t; trust me,” Marissa answered confidently. “Marcus goes through secretaries like underwear.”

I threw her a glance, frowning. “Is there something I should know about that?”

She rolled her eyes. “He chases every skirt. Unfortunately, every secretary ends up sleeping with him, so when he moves on to the next woman, they are heartbroken and leave.”

“Yeah, he is basically a man whore,” Daphne replied as she snapped her fingers at the waiter.

I glared at her, appalled by her manners, and she smiled back sheepishly. I have known them for almost six years now, but they still managed to shock me sometimes. They were so used to people jumping at their every request.

I grew up in a privileged wealthy family and among elite political circles but manners and humility were drilled into me. I wasn’t sure if that was my father’s or stepfather’s doing, or possibly a combination, but I was grateful for it. It wasn’t my mother’s doing for sure; she only expected perfection regardless of the example she provided.

“Ladies,” the waiter greeted us, his Irish accent heavy. “Can I start you off with a drink?”

“You certainly may,” Marissa replied, grinning. She really had a thing for Irish boys. Her eyes roamed down the waiter’s body, like he was a piece of delicious candy. Yeah, he was handsome, with dark hair and blue eyes, his build tall and strong but he wasn’t that good looking to be gawking at him like he was the last piece of candy.

“I’ll have sparkling water please,” I started first, breaking the moment those two were having eying each other.

“Coke for me,” Daphne added.

“Cherry coke for me,” Marissa responded, licking her lips.

His smile was cocky as he left to get our drinks.

“You should give the poor man a break,” I scolded her softly. “He still has to finish his shift and you’ll get him all worked up.”

Marissa rolled her eyes. “I’m so sick and tired of being single,” she pouted. “I don’t know how you can stand it, Brie.”

I smiled. She made it sound like it was the worst punishment. “One day at the time, Mar,” I replied with a soft chuckle. “You’d be surprised how fast it flies by.”

“Okay, whatever. I can’t be a saint,” she mumbled. “Anyhow, I will give Marcus a call after our lunch and convince him to hire you on the spot. Does Monday sound like a good start day?”

I watched her in disbelief. “Without an interview or anything? Just like that.”

“Yes,” she replied, like that was completely normal. “Just don’t give in to Marcus’ charms.”

I scoffed. I had yet to meet a man that had any charms. “Never,” I vowed to her.

Marissa watched me pensively. “You know, Brie, one day a man will come and sweep you off your feet. You can’t keep yourself guarded forever.”

“I’m not keeping myself guarded,” I retorted dryly. “I just haven't met a man that could compare to my book boyfriends.”

It was her turn to scoff. “One day, and I’ll be here to see it,” she teased.

I rolled my eyes but a smile played on my lips. I have met plenty of men in my lifetime and none of them made my heart even speed up. They just couldn’t match my book boyfriends.

Then I turned serious. “Thank you for trying with your cousin, Mar. If he goes for it, I will owe you one forever.”

Daphne laughed. “After everything,” she uttered, “we are all indebted to each other.”

We shared glances without further words. All three of us knew we were forever tied together. For better or for worse.