Chapter 61
TERINA
Present
“Your house is shot to shit, Cosimo. I’m sorry about that.” Renzo grimaces at his top adviser. We’ve moved into the living room to talk while the soldiers have gone outside to handle the dead and wounded. I’m tucked into DiAngelo’s side, simply relieved to have him close.
“That can be fixed,” Cosimo says with a flick of his wrist. “The suffering we endured and the lives lost can never be undone.” His solemn words sit like lead on my chest, as I’m sure they do for all of us. Today has been such a tragedy.
“We’re not about to move on just because Pasha’s dead,” Renzo confirms. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since the Lucciano meeting. Pasha had rigged the place with explosives. We all got out, but only because the Reaper sent Michael to warn us.”
My breath catches as I peer up at D in shock. I had no idea I’d come so close to losing him twice today. I tighten my grip on his middle, and he places a kiss on my head.
The creases in Cosimo’s face deepen with restrained violence. “And Simeon will try to say he wasn’t involved. I don’t like it. He had to have known more about Pasha’s actions than he let on.”
Renzo nods. “At the very least, he turned a blind eye, which he may already be regretting since Pasha’s attack was staged in Lucciano territory. Gabe Fiore was livid. He tabled a marital alliance between us to show a unified Italian front.”
“Interesting.”
“Yeah, only problem is, we’d have to find someone willing to make that sacrifice for the family. I’d rather not force anyone.” A deep frown carves itself into Renzo’s face.
“It would be easy enough to find a willing man. We could put the burden on them to come up with a bride.”
My stomach turns, thinking of some poor woman being forced into an arranged marriage. I can’t imagine how awful that would be, yet I’ve seen the depravity of what we’re up against. The two families would be exponentially safer united against this common enemy.
Renzo nods. “We can discuss it. I think the alliance needs to happen, if at all possible.”
“I’ll do it.”
The words ring out unexpectedly through the group, our collective stares turning to Isa, who stands a little taller.
“Isa—” Cosimo admonishes her.
My sweet friend shakes her head, her lips drawing into a firm line of determination. “No, Daddy. I’ll do it, assuming they can find someone who seems to be a good man. I wasn’t going to marry anyway. I’d rather do this and save another woman the heartbreak. My mind is made up.”
My jaw hinges wide in disbelief.
Cosimo curses and storms from the room. I snap my mouth shut and go over to hug Isa.
“You take a little time to think about it, okay?” I whisper.
She smiles placatingly, but I see in her eyes that she’s truly committed to this decision.
“It’s time for us to get going,” DiAngelo murmurs to me with a warm hand on my back.
I nod. “I’ll text you,” I tell Isa before we make our way outside. It’s time for this day to be over. Pasha is dead because of the incredibly brave men in our lives. For now, I’ll focus on my gratitude for them and their safety. Future worries can wait. Today, life is good.
“You’re not going to be able to talk me out of it.” Isa crosses her arms over her chest as she speaks in a firm tone.
I gave her two full days to come to her senses. Two days to realize the enormity of what an arranged marriage would entail before trying to talk some sense into her. Yet somehow, it seems as though time hasn’t lessened her resolve in the slightest.
“Help me understand, Isa. Why are you doing this to yourself?”
“That’s the whole point—I’m not doing anything to myself.
I know we haven’t talked about relationships, but I truly never planned to marry.
I’ll be more than happy for my husband to pursue whatever other women he wants.
He keeps his freedom. I help my family. No one loses out.
But if I don’t do this, some poor girl could have her heart broken. ”
“What about your heart?” I ask softly.
The sorrow in her eyes when she smiles at me sends a brutal ache through my chest.
“You’ve worked through your losses, and I’m so incredibly happy for you, but mine have changed me permanently. I’m thirty-seven, Rina. If I haven’t found any interest in love by this stage, it’s not going to happen. I’m okay with that, and I hope you can be, too.”
I often forget that Isa is older than me. It’s the reason we didn’t connect until more recently, even though our fathers worked closely together. She’s older than me, but love doesn’t have a sell-by date. I want to shake her and insist that thirty-seven isn’t remotely old enough to give up.
“What if you agree to this, marry a man you don’t love, then run into your soulmate? You’ll have trapped yourself with no way out.”
“There are as many what-ifs in the world as there are drops of water. If I give them power over me, I’ll drown.
I can only look at the facts as they are right this minute when making a decision about what I do next, then honor those choices knowing I did the best I could at the time.
At this particular moment in time, that means agreeing to be married. ”
She sounds so steadfast in her resolve that all the fight in me melts away. As much as I hate to admit it, she is the only one who can decide what is best for her.
“Okay, Isa,” I offer gently. “I can’t say that I totally understand, but I respect your decision.”
My best friend squeezes my hand and smiles. “Thank you, honey. I know this isn’t easy. Heaven knows my dad is struggling with it more than anyone.”
“I imagine so.”
“He’ll adjust the same way we all do when life tosses us an unexpected curve in the road. A year from now, you and I will be elbow deep in soup, and you’ll see that none of the important things have changed.”
I smile, hoping that she’s right. “Soup, huh?”
“I haven’t forgotten. We need to pick the place and get to it.
” Her grin almost reaches her eyes. Almost. And when I start to think about it, I realize I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her light at its brightest. That was comforting to me for years.
I didn’t have to feel any pressure around her to shine brighter than I could manage, but now that I’ve escaped the darkness, I want to drag her with me.
That’s not how it works, though.
A person must walk into the light voluntarily. It’s not a destination that can be forced.
“Say no more. I’ll get on it as soon as I have a chance.” I can’t force her anywhere she’s not willing to go, but I can lead the way and hope she’ll follow. “Be prepared. I have a feeling D will insist on escorting us.”
“Three pairs of hands are better than two.”
My body shakes with laughter. “That may send him into grumpy overload. He’s not exactly the rubber gloves and hairnet type.”
The visual has her giggling along with me.
“No, but he’d do it for you,” she says fondly.
I smile and nod. “Yeah, he would.” He’d also take payment from me after the fact, but I wouldn’t balk at the fee. In fact, the entire arrangement is sounding more and more promising. “I’ll have a look at the options next week.”
She lifts her coffee mug and clinks it with mine. “It’s a deal.”
“Hey, Mom and Dad, I hope you don’t mind that I brought someone with me. I’d like to introduce you to Terina.” DiAngelo holds my hand as we enter the pre-op room where Mr. and Mrs. Farina prepare for her double mastectomy.
I was honored when D asked if I wanted to join him today—to meet his parents and to support him through such an emotional day. Especially when our shoot-out with the Russians was less than a week ago. We’re grateful to have all the time we can get together, even if it means a day at the hospital.
The older couple stares at me as though I’ve sprouted a third eye.
I give a little wave before I’m gobbled into a huge hug from D’s dad.
“Mind? Are you kidding? We’re absolutely delighted. Call me Rocco.” He pulls back and beams at me, then moves to hug his son.
I smile and go to offer a hug to Mrs. Farina, who is in a hospital gown in the bed. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”
“Yes, you have no idea! Please, call me Nella.” Her blue-green eyes shine with warmth.
DiAngelo returns to my side, his arm protectively around my back. I’m not sure if it’s a statement to his parents or support in what could be an awkward situation, but I love it all the same.
“Everything good for the surgery today?” he asks.
“We got a big thumbs-up from the doctor,” Nella assures us. “They’re still filtering in with paperwork and all that crap, but we should be good to get started on time. What about you? Have things finally settled down for you, or are you still hosting that friend of yours?”
Heat singes my cheeks.
D gives me a little squeeze. “That friend is right here, and while she’s still staying with me, the danger is over. Everything is much better now.”
Nella’s mouth rounds as she tips her head back in a now-I-get-it expression. “So that’s where you two met.”
“She’s Renzo’s sister,” he explains.
Dear God, if my cheeks get any hotter, they’ll start smoking, and I’m not even sure why. We’re adults. But these are his parents. I can’t help but feel awkward.
“You’ve done an amazing job as parents. D has helped me through a rough time, and I’ll always be incredibly grateful.”
Nella’s chin quivers. “Thank you, sweetie. Oh, D, you did so good.”
I peer up at DiAngelo, who looks visibly choked up when he nods. “Thanks, Ma.” He crosses and gives her a long hug. “I love you. We’re gonna wait with Dad until you’re in the clear, then we’ll come by again tomorrow to check on you.”
Now, all four of us are sniffling back tears.
We exchange another round of hugs before D and I head to the waiting room.
“They seem like wonderful people,” I tell him, my fingers still woven with his when we sit.
“They are. I’d say I don’t deserve them, but I know you’d only argue.”
I give him a playful glower. “You’re damn skippy I would.”
He lifts our joined hands and places a kiss on my knuckles. “I’m not sure I’d believe it, though, if it weren’t for you.”
“I can be pretty convincing when I want to be.”
“Yes, but that’s not what I mean.”
My brows furrow in confusion as I wait for an explanation.
“No matter how much I try to blame myself for the past, I know I must have done something right or the universe wouldn’t have given me you.”
And, there goes the waterworks. Again.
Tears blur my vision. “You didn’t have to do anything but be yourself. I never stood a chance.”
“And now you’re mine forever.” A lighthearted smile kisses his lips, drawing the same from me.
“So long as you’ll have me.”
“Always, firefly.”