“Mine,” Gigi replies before grabbing her wineglass.
“Happy birthday,” I say, my cheeks blushing in embarrassment. “I’m so sorry. Emilio didn’t tell me where we were going. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come empty-handed.”
“Girl, no worries,” Gigi replies with a kind smile. “I told everyone to donate whatever they planned to spend on a gift to Safe Hearts. Emilio already wrote the check.”
“The women’s shelter?” I ask.
A few years back, I heard my uncle complaining that one of his mistresses was hiding at Safe Hearts. A week later, I saw her on a missing persons bulletin board.
“Yep,” Pippa says as the other women nod. “Safe Hearts is Genesis’s baby, which makes it ourgodchild.”
The table turns silent at the mention of Genesis.
Pippa slams her mouth shut, realizing what she did.
Genesis not only murdered my cousin, but also his underboss, Yuri.
A woman with long, glossy jet-black hair dressed in a colorful halter top raises her hand. “In my defense?—”
“You have no reason for a defense,” I say, instantly realizing she’s Genesis. “Dima’s actions earned his death.”
Genesis is gorgeous, so it’s no surprise Dima was obsessed with marrying her.
My cousin made his own bed when he kidnapped her. If Genesis hadn’t killed him, he’d have committed even more atrocious crimes and murdered more people.
On the other hand, if she hadn’t, maybe I wouldn’t be married to Emilio.
Genesis lowers her gaze and voice. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Phew,” Pippa says, faking swiping sweat off her forehead. “Glad we got that over with. Genesis was worried it’d be weird between you two.”
Genesis pushes Pippa’s shoulder.
“But you’re family now,” Pippa continues. “I told her, sooner or later, we’d all be in the same room. Might as well do it now.” She shrugs before grabbing her glass and taking a sip.
Genesis groans. “There’s not a non-weird way to say,Sorry I murdered one of your family members.”
“Trust me, it’s not that weird in this world,” Neomi says. “Gigi’s father-in-law almost killed me. Yet here I am, brunching with the Lombardis when I wanted them dead not too long ago.”
“And that’s why I love you, dear sister-in-law,” Gigi says, raising her glass toward Neomi.
Their honesty surprises me.
In the Bratva, women don’t talk like this. Everything is hush-hush. They pretend their husbands work boring desk jobs and don’t come home bloody.
The three other women introduce themselves.
First, Natalia.
Even though I’veheardof her, since she’s Cristian’s wife, I’ve never seen her in person. They didn’t attend the wedding. It’sno wonder two Mafia men started a war over her. She could’ve easily passed on theMafia wifelife and become a model with her olive skin tone, piercing brown eyes, and high cheekbones.
Natalia also became talk in this world since she was Gigi’s best friend before marrying Cristian.
Then there’s Isabella and Bria, Neomi’s sisters. There’s no mistaking that they’re all Cavallaros. Not only do they have similar hairstyles—though Isabella’s is pushed back with butterfly clips—but they’re all wearing similar clothing. Bria’s leather jacket is red, and Isabella’s is pink. Bria’s face is makeup-free, and Isabella has sparkly eye shadow and long black lashes.
Our conversation stops when a blond server enters the room. She takes the men’s orders first before coming to us.
I order a mimosa. Genesis and Pippa do the same.
