I wanted to wear black out of sheer principle, but I knew Mother would have a coronary.
With Raina sitting on my left, holding my hand beneath the table, I’m able to attempt to enjoy myself as I nibble on the filet mignon on my plate, zoning out while the people around me talk amongst themselves.
“You okay?” she leans in and asks under her breath. I nod subtly and place my fork down in order to grab my chardonnay.
I take two large gulps as she squeezes my hand. On my right, I feel the heat of August’s gaze on me before he leans closer.
“Shall I get you another, darling? Maybe if you drink enough, I’ll get to test drive the car before I buy it tomorrow.”
“You’re disgusting,” I tell him through my teeth as I smile widely. My mother is watching from across the table, her eyes glittering in the light.
It makes me sick, the way she pretends like nothing is wrong. She saw my bruises, yet she hasn’t said another word about them.
“You know,” Raina whispers. “I can have you out of here in ten seconds flat. Say the word, I’ll create a diversion and we’ll be gone.”
“Tempting,” I whisper back, taking another sip of my wine.
“You really don’t have to go through with this, sis.”
“Oh, but I do.”
She doesn’t know everything—not even close. If she did, I know she’d go absolutely feral on August. That’s just how she is. My reverse Sour Patch Kid friend. First she’s sweet as candy, everyone’s golden girl. But piss her off and her personality can flip. The childless version of a Mama Bear.
All Raina knows is that I’m head over heels in love with Sylvester Lucchetti and I’m refusing to be with him because August has threatened his life. That’s the main purpose—the entire plotline of this marriage.
The only saving grace is that I’ve had time to snoop around to try and arm myself with as much knowledge as possible sincebeing under the same roof as August. When he’s not around, I cherry pick everything I can, trying to figure outwhyhe’s going to such lengths for this.
Although I don’t have all the details, what it comes down to is the Paladino legacy. Paperwork has been drawn up, presumably for us to sign, indicating that once August and I are legally married, he will become the heir in line to my father’s underground drug trade—not me—if I am to inherit it. Whether August plans to sign everything over to Joseph is a piece of the puzzle I have yet to find, but having August in charge certainly is a leg up for my brother.
The best part of all of this is if Joseph would simply have a conversation with me and believe it, he’d know I don’t want anything to do with Father’s empire.
He can have it.
And itwillgo to him, without all of this—the marriage, the threats—even happening. Luciano won’t want it, not with a flourishing practice of his own, and logistically, Joseph is next in line.
Apparently, my brother doesn’t understand how lineage works.
When I attempted to have a normal adult conversation with August about it, he turned violent, grabbing a fistful of the underpart of my hair and tugging me so roughly down the hallway, it nearly ripped from my scalp. When he released me, he shoved me into my bedroom, knocking me to the floor, and spit on the carpet beside me.
I haven’t tried to bring it up again.
Further down the table, a glass clinks, and I see my uncle Marcel stand. “A toast to the happy couple! Please help me by raising your glasses. It has been a few years since I have seen my favorite niece, but on behalf of my family, I’d like to thank the Paladinos and the St. Jeans for including us in the festivities.Vinnie, you have grown into a stunning woman, and I am so happy for you. Cheers!”
A round of cheers erupts through the table, and to make a point, August presses a firm kiss against my cheek.
My stomach roils thinking about having to actually kiss him tomorrow to seal our vows. Turning my head to pull away, I lock eyes with Cecilia. She’s been acting strange all evening, but we haven’t had a chance to talk. My eyes flit toward where I know the restroom is, and she reads between the lines, pushing her chair backward as she stands and politely excuses herself.
Squeezing Raina’s hand, she follows suit as she releases me, and I slip into my mask before turning back to August, purposely raising my voice more than necessary and touching his shoulder as I stand. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be back.”
Once the three of us are inside, Raina flips the lock behind me as I rush to the sink and place my elbows onto it, holding my head in my hands.
“I hate this.”
“Then let’s get the hell out of here!” Raina basically shouts. “I don’t care if I have to pull a Janet and have a nip slip to distract everyone so you can sneak out the back. Just tell me what you need me to do, and it’s done.”
Shaking my head, I look at Cecilia through the mirror. “What's going on with you tonight?”
She bites her lip, then sighs. “Sly came to the apartment.”
