Page 58 of Mafia Darling
This could not be a surprise to either of my sisters. “He imports them, other people deal them. Like our father.”
“Are you shitting me?” Gia asked. “I thought Papà just ran casinos and bank heists.”
“And drugs,” I added. “He lost some product and owed Fausto a lot of money, which was why Papà traded me in the first place.”
“Did this other mafia don hurt you?” Emma asked.
“He scared the shit out of me. Does that count?”
“I love that Fausto came and rescued you,” my sweet sister said. “That must have been exciting.”
More like terrifying. Men shot right before my eyes, Enzo holding a gun to my head. Sure. Good times.
“So they killed the other don, the one that kidnapped you,” Gia said.
“Actually, no. He’s in Fausto’s dungeon as we speak.”
Both of their jaws dropped open. “Fausto has a dungeon,” Gia said. “Oh, my God. You have to take me down there!”
Emma shoved Gia’s leg with her foot. “You know she doesn’t like basements and cellars. Besides, you don’t need to go down there and see a bunch of poor men being tortured.”
“As far as I know, it’s just Enzo down there—and don’t feel bad for him. He locked me in a trunk and put a fucking gun in my mouth. He called me a slut. He’s a terrible person.”
“I can’t help it,” Emma said. “I don’t like the thought of some helpless soul suffering down there while I’m up here drinking wine and eating tiramisu.”
“Then don’t think about it,” Gia and I said at the same time.
Emma looked at me, a frown pulling the edges of her mouth. “Our father never brought his work home like this. How can you stand it?”
“Things are different in Italy,” I told them. “We were sheltered from a lot of what went on in Toronto, even though we were raised in the life. But the men are more violent, more misogynistic here. So, keep your heads down. Don’t cause trouble. Okay?”
“Okay,” Emma said.
“I’ll try,” Gia said at the same time.
“I’m serious.” I pointed at Gia. “Leave Fausto’s men alone. Trust me, you do not want to get mixed up with one of them.”
“You make them sound so awful.” Emma gestured to my stomach. “But you’re having a baby with one. They can’t be all bad.”
“God, you are such a bleeding heart,” Gia told her twin. “You’d better hope your husband isn’t in the life. He’ll eat you alive.”
Emma lifted a shoulder. “It’s not my fault that I think everyone deserves compassion and understanding. Look at Frankie. She’s forgiven Fausto after all he’s done to her.”
“Whoa,” I said, holding up my hand. “I haven’t forgiven Fausto.”
Gia chuckled. “Sure, right. That’s why you two were whispering and touching all through dinner, because you’re still mad at him.”
“Exactly, and I saw the way you looked at each other,” Emma added. “He’s in love with you.”
“Maybe, but I can’t trust him. How do I know he won’t hurt me again?”
“You don’t. You never will. Trust isn’t something you can show or buy. It’s in here.” Emma pointed to her chest, then pointed to her head. “And here.”
“He asked me to marry him,” I murmured.
My sisters both squealed and clapped their hands. “Where is the ring?” Gia said, sitting up on her knees. “I need to see the rock.”
I went to the jewelry box, which hadn’t yet been moved to Fausto’s room. I took out the ring box and pulled the platinum and diamond ring from the fabric. “It belonged to his mother,” I said and handed it to Gia.
