The Lucchetti home is warm in both color palette and temperature, with vibrant paint on the walls and colorful, plush accent rugs placed perfectly throughout.
As I look around, I hear Sly’s quiet grunt of satisfaction behind me, and turn to see what inspired it. “What?”
He’s slipping his shoes from his feet and sliding into a pair of slippers by the door with a wide smile on his face. “These pantofoles are new, amore mio. And pink. Mamma bought them for you.”
Looking down at the light pink wool slippers, I notice the tag still attached to them. Picking them up, I examine them. They’re my size. “She did?”
“Sì, of course I did. You are my daughter-in-law. The least I can do is buy you a proper pair of pantofoles for when you visit.”
My breath catches at the sound of Sly’s mother’s voice, and I close my eyes, surprised and relieved at the lack of anger I hear in it. Sly squeezes my hand before turning to his mom. Opening my eyes, I turn toward her with a smile on my face.
“That was a sweet gesture, Mamma. Thank you. Let me introduce you to Vinnie—my wife.”
Sly’s mom is a striking woman, with gorgeous olive skin and vibrant hazel eyes, almost identical to her sons. Her dark hair is peppered with gray strands and she’s wearing it in a twist. On her feet are a pair of slippers—pantofoles—-in a light shadeof purple that matches the t-shirt style summer dress she’s wearing.
Just looking at her makes me want to wrap my arms around her for an honest-to-God, genuine mom hug.
“You act as though I’ve never met her, Sylvester,” she scolds, smacking his bicep with the back of her hand. Turning to me, she steps forward, her arms outstretched. “Ciao, dolce figlia. It is nice to see you again—we met when you were just a young girl. My name is Valentina, but feel free to call me Val.” She reaches up and squeezes my cheek between her finger and thumb. “You have grown into a stunning woman. I can see why my son fell so hard for you.”
“Thank you,” I tell her as she pulls me into a hug. Her words twist in my heart, catching me off guard. “Thank you for having me tonight.”
“The pleasure is ours,” she coos. “Come. Are you thirsty? Hungry? I hope you have brought your appetite. Dinner will be ready shortly.”
“Thank you. I’m famished.”
“Eccelente.”
“Is this her?” a deep male baritone asks from down the hall. Turning toward the voice, I see a man, whom I can tell is Sly’s father, emerge from a room. Two other men follow him. One I recognize as Sly’s cousin, Enzo, and the other looks like a younger version of Sly.
“Sì, Papà. Vinnie, my father, Antonio. Behind him is my cousin Lorenzo, and my brother Guilio.” Tipping his chin at them, Sly asks, “Where is Federico?”
“He should be here any moment,” Antonio tells us. Closing the distance, he reaches for my hand and pulls it to his lips, kissing the back. “It is nice to meet you, Vinnie.” Clasping his other hand on top of mine, he gives it a soft squeeze before excusing himself and walking into what I assume is the kitchen.
Sly’s brother steps forward next, taking me by surprise as he pulls me in for a bear hug. “Hey, kid,” he greets. “Nice to meet ya.”
“Guilio,” his mother scolds, swatting at him. “Give the woman some breathing room.”
Laughing, he lets me go and tosses a wink in my direction.
“Guilio,” Sly warns, his voice stern, yet I can still hear the playfulness in it.
The interaction so far eases my nerves, and I withdraw a deep sigh, smiling at Sly. Draping his arm around my shoulders, he pulls me to him and kisses my hair.
After a moment of enjoying my husband's attention, I peek over at the man who hasn’t said a word. He’s watching us with scrutiny behind his dark brown eyes, his expression otherwise unreadable. Clearing my throat awkwardly, my anxiety makes me feel like I need to step away from my husband, but when I try, he holds me firmer.
“Lorenzo.” He glowers, but his name is all he says.
“You may love her, cousin, but she’s still a Paladino, and I don’t have to agree with it.”
His words send my heart plummeting to the pit of my stomach.
He starts to walk away, but Sly quickly steps forward, grabbing onto his arm to stop him.
“You may not like where she came from, but she is a Lucchetti now,” he growls, his eyes narrowing into slits as he speaks to his cousin in a deadly tone. “You will respect my wife. If you do not, there will be more problems between us than the ones we choose to pretend do not exist. Have I made myself clear,cugino?”
Shrugging from Sly’s hold, Enzo shakes his head, tossing a glare in my direction first. “Don’t forget the blood that runs inher veins is the very same blood thatmurderedyour uncle. She may be your wife, but she’ll always be his daughter.”
Stalking off down the hallway, a door slams seconds later, causing me to jump slightly. Instantly, Sly’s warm arms are wrapping around my body again.
