Even though he stepped down as our capo and handed the reins to Christiano over a decade ago, he’s still one badass motherfucker who can make a grown man piss his pants with a single look.
We stand side by side, enjoying our drinks, and only after a minute or so has passed does he say, “You look at peace, Adriano.”
I point at Laurie. “It’s all my wife’s doing.” Getting her attention, I gesture for her to come to me.
She says something to Yuki before walking toward us. A server doesn’t watch where he’s going as he backs up, and I dart forward, throwing my body between the idiot and my wife before he can knock into her right arm.
Glasses tumble over on his tray, the sound grabbing everyone’s attention, while Laurie stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind.
“I’m so sorry, Sir!” the man immediately starts apologizing behind me, and when I turn around, he takes one look at my face and visibly pales while whispering, “So very sorry.”
With anger bubbling in my chest, I watch him scurry away, and only because it’s Georgi and Nina’s engagement party do I spare his life.
“It was an accident,” Laurie says, her tone soft as she tries to calm my temper.
“An accident that could’ve…” I shut up, because just thinking of losing Laurie fills me with rage. I wrap my arm around my wife while muttering, “Stay by my side for the rest of the night so I can protect your arm, or I might end up killing someone.”
Uncle Damiano lets out a chuckle, then holds out his arm to Laurie. “Don’t mind my godson. I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.” When she takes his hand, he adds, “Damiano Falco.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Falco,” Laurie almost whispers, fear shimmering through in her voice.
I glance at her face, and noticing how big her eyes are, I say, “His bark is worse than his bite.”
“Wanna bet?” Uncle Dario, Rosie’s father, says as he joins us. “I’ve seen him bite off a man’s ear.”
“Dario!” Mom snaps. “My daughter doesn’t need to hear such gruesome things.”
“Sorry, Tori,” Uncle Dario quickly apologizes. He looks at Laurie and gives her a sheepish grin. “Hi, Laurie, I’m Daria La Rosa, the dumbass.”
She lets out a chuckle and shakes her head. “It’s okay. Please don’t worry.”
Someone taps on a microphone, then I hear Georgi say, “Can you all hear me?”
“Yes. All the way in fucking Canada,” Christiano shouts.
“Good. Now shut up and listen.” He shoots us all a grin. “Thank you for joining Nina and me to celebrate our engagement. Every person who means the world to me is gathered in this room.” He glances over us. “Christ, there’s a lot of you.” He holds his hand out to Nina. “But this woman is the one who holds my heart in the palm of her hand, and I’m so thankful she agreed to become my wife. I love you, Nina.”
Applause breaks out around the room as he puts the microphone down and walks to Nina to kiss the shit out of her.
I rub my hand up and down Laurie’s back, and as our eyes meet, I can see how much she’s enjoying tonight.
I lean down and whisper, “I love seeing you happy.”
“Good.” She leans into me. “Because you make me incredibly happy, so you’ll be seeing it a lot.”
Chapter 29
Laurie
It’s been months since Adriano and I went grocery shopping for the first time, and not once since has he complained even though I know it’s not his favorite thing to do.
As obsessive and unhinged as my husband is, I wouldn’t change him for anything in the world. I don’t have to worry that he’ll grow bored with me, and I can’t explain what a relief and comfort that is.
Our security remains a top priority for Adriano, so he always switches things up so we don’t form a routine that will make us easy targets, but the risk is always there.
Little Ricky heads into the store first while Paulie stays a couple of steps behind us so they can act quickly. We wait until Little Ricky gives us a subtle nod before Adriano guides me through the doorway with his hand protectively against my lower back.
The first thing that hits me is how half the store notices Adriano.