The bad blood with Enrique and his family stems from shit that happened with a couple of Laura’s sisters- and cousins-in-law. They’ve always encouraged me to think of them without any qualifiers, just like Laura does.
“I’m not angry anymore. I just don’t trust or like them.”
“Could’ve fooled me. I’m surprised Enrique didn’t have your butter knife removed.”
There are place settings, so we all knew where to sit. Enrique has a large cross tattooed on his forearm with a P at the top, a J at the bottom—Pablo and Juan—and an L and M—Laura and Madeline—on the sides. Laura’s threatened to carve her initial and mine out of Enrique’s arm if their family does anything else to ours. I wouldn’t put it past my sister to do that. And frankly, I’d hold his arm down. I miss my friendships with the Diazes, and I especially miss considering Enrique an uncle because he was always the fun one when we were little. But it’ll always be my family over theirs.
The others join us, and the conversation moves on. Sumiko, Maks’s cousin Pasha’s wife, is expecting their first baby. They announced it since they can no longer hide it. I’m certain everyone else in the family already knew, but it surprises my parents and me.
“If you ever need anything or have any questions, you know I’m just a phone call away. Nothing is too silly or insignificant to ask.”
“Thank you, Madeline. It’s reassuring to have a midwife in the family. I’ll take you up on that if anything comes up.”
I’ve made the same offer to all the women in the family as it’s expanded. It reminds me how much I already miss my job. It’s the only thing from Albany I miss. I love my work, but I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to it. No one here knows I’m hiding from Drew, and I’m praying it doesn’t get back to him before I can disappear again. But once I’m living under another assumed name, I won’t be able to practice.
I’m unprepared for Laura to elbow me as I chat with Christina, the fourth Kutsenko brother’s wife. I look over to where Laura points.
“Go on. Maybe you’ll get lucky.”
I want to sink under the table. In no way do I want to join the other single women as Elodie tosses her bouquet. I don’t want to marry, and I don’t want to hear anyone in my family ask when Drew and I plan to marry. I’ve avoided telling more lies than absolutely necessary tonight.
“Go on. The middle of the pack looks like the best place since I bet she’ll give it a good toss.” Christina waggles her brow at me, and I want to hurl.
With a table full of expectant faces, there’s not much I can do. I push back my chair and move onto the dance floor. I inhale a deep breath and steel myself for the jokes and giggles. I don’t want to do this.
I glance over to where Javier sits at the head table. Our gazes meet as the bouquet sails through the air. I have no choice but to put my hands up to keep the bundle of flowers from nailing me in the face.
Fuck. My. Life.
I spot some annoyed expressions, and I’m uncertain whether they’re specifically directed at me or just overall annoyance because they need something to hound a boyfriend who hasn’t popped the question. From these bitches’ faces, I can’t say I’m surprised if that’s the case. But most congratulate me, asking me if there’s anyone special in my life.
I shake my head as I extricate myself. I feel Javier’s eyes boring laser beams into my back. Paranoid much?
“Congrats.” Laura’s gaze sweeps over me. “Let’s go to the restroom.”
My sister reads me too well. She’s been suspicious all evening, but she’s said nothing. She sees something in me now, and she’ll wheedle it out of me. I’m not ready to tell her, and she’s the only person whoalwaysknows when I’m lying.
“They’re about to cut the cake. We can’t step out. That would be rude.”
It’s her gaze that practically sets me ablaze, but she nods and settles back in her chair. I take my seat, setting the bouquet on the table. I’d offer to give it back to Elodie, saying I’m certain she wants to preserve it; however, this is a tossing bouquet. It’s meant to go to someone else. I’m stuck with the damn thing. It’s beautiful and smells wonderful, but it’s a fucking beacon for attention.
We clap as Enrique’s hands cover Elodie’s, and they press the knife through the cake. I have a pang of envy. I definitely don’t want Enrique, but I think about the life I once thought I’d begin with Drew. I thought that would be us one day. Now, who knows whether I’ll have that chance?
I’d need to live in a state that doesn’t require a blood test to marry and do a shit ton of other things to cover my tracks so well that I could marry under an alias. Not that doing all that shit would matter because to do that means my family wouldn’t be at my wedding.
Maks invites Laura to dance. They make a stunning couple, and they move together like a couple who know everything about each other down to their souls. They do. I shift my gaze to the other bratva couples as they join Maks and Laura. They’ve all met their soulmates too. My attention moves to the Mancinelli and O’Rourke families. All the couples in those families are as in love as the ones in mine. The Diazes have been the final holdout, and now Enrique’s broken the seal.
A lump rises in my throat. My eyes burn with threatening tears. My chest tightens.
None of this is fair. I’m not always a good person, but neither am I a horrible one. But none of this seems attainable anymore.
My parents are the last to join them since my dad went to the restroom. They look at me, knowing I’m the only one left behind. Sergei and Anton, the two unmarried bratva men, are ostensibly here as guests, but they’re the family’s bodyguards. The men all guard their wives, but it doesn’t hurt to have two extras. I know they probably assigned one of them to me. I’ll know in a moment as I stand. I’m escaping to the restroom.
“Madeline, I’ll go with you.”
Anton.
“How’re you?”
