After dinner and everything is cleared away, we make our leave. I can tell, no matter how the boys try to downplay it, something is on their minds, which keeps me on edge all through dinner and even after dessert until it’s time to go.
I hug Ma tight. “See you next week for dinner on Thursday.” Lanah is next in line with a long hug. “What are you doing this weekend?” I ask my little sister.
Lanah narrows those big brown eyes at me. “Probably going out with a group of boys who want nothing but to get in my pants. You should have let me stay in the dorms for school session.”
Mamma’s eyes roll behind Lanah’s head and she grins behind her daughter’s back as she leaves us to go say goodbye to the boys. She knows how much Lanah likes to rile me up.
I tap my baby sister’s nose. “Sass, it’s pure sass. You know we’re only looking out for you. Those dorms, they are no place for you,tesoro.”
She raises a hand. “I’ve gotten over you forcing me to live here while I’m in school. Ma and I do just fine. Seriously, I thought I’d get started on a book that our professor wants us to read and memorize in three days this weekend. Like we don’t all have lives outside of his classes.”
I laugh. “Good. I want you safe. We have a situation.”
Lanah nods. “I noticed all the new guards around the perimeter, and I saw them down the shore when we were coming home from the market. And surrounding us as we went and tried to blend into our little community. It’s hard enough without a militia of DeLuca soldiers who everyone knows are watching us.”
“Just for a little while, until we know what and who we’re dealing with. Take care of Mamma. You remember where the buttons are and the guns?”
Her eyes get wide. “Youareworried.”
I shake my head. “No, just reminding you in case.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. You’ve been drilling those lessons into my head since the day I could walk. You, Pappa, or one of the boys always with some lesson to share. Seriously, don’t worry. We’re fine. But you shouldn’t send such handsome soldiers.” She fans her face. “I’m only human you know.”
I shake my head. “Go study, Lanah. And don’t let them touch you or they die.”
Her eyes meet mine. She knows I mean every word I said. “You have to stop worrying about me so much. See you next week, be safe, Vincenzo,” she says, standing on tiptoe to kiss my cheek.
14
ANNA
Addie raps quickly on the guest room door before entering and whistles. Her bright green eyes dance with mischief. “You’re going to be turning heads tonight in that little number.”
My face breaks into a smile. “Thank you so much for having all the dresses sent over last night. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Well, you’ll never have to find out. I’m glad you picked this one.” She glances down the red dress with the thigh high slit and fitted waist and then at the top. “Last week you walked in looking like an angel in the golden gown, this week, you’re walking in looking like the mafia princess you are.” She nods in approval. “And those heels. He’s going to want those strappy things wrapped around his neck all night long.”
My blood races with anticipation. “I can barely wait to get there, Addie. I swear this entire week has seemed like a year.”
She gives me a wink. “It’s good to see you so happy. It won’t take me long to shower and get ready. I laid out my dress last night. And my own set of strappy heels.”
I smile. “You have more strappy heels and shoes than a shoe store.”
She shrugs. “So, I like shoes. And it’s not like I can wear a pair of strappy Jimmy Choos in the stuffy courtroom. So you see, I am forced into owning a multitude of shoes. Plain Janes and fancy, fancy.”
My hand goes in the air. “Save me the argument. We all know you always win! Besides you never look plain, just very professional and completely intimidating by day.”
Addie opens the door and looks back. “I’m looking forward to tonight too. After a week facing the toughest prosecutor in the land, I could use a few drinks and some stress relief of my own.”
“Yeah, but you showed him who’s boss, right?”
She laughs. “That I did, but I have to admit, this one wasn’t simple. Grab a drink downstairs when you’re ready. My parents are at a fundraiser and won’t be home until late. I’ll be down shortly.”
I walk downstairs and Andrew looks up. He lets out a playful whistle. “Anna Cassone, you are going to turn some heads tonight.”
My cheeks heat. “Thank you.”
He pours a glass of seltzer for himself. “Drink?” he asks.