Chapter 26 #2
“You know what, Bethany? I was never in competition with you, and it’s sad that you see other women as threats.
Because me and my friends clap for each other.
We show up—good, bad, highs, or lows, we’re there.
My friends are my biggest cheerleaders, and their compliments are genuine. Can you say the same?”
She shifts in her seat as she and her friends cast uncomfortable glances at each other.
“I could wish bad on you too, but I won’t. It looks like you’re already miserable enough all on your own. I hope you get the help you need to fix whatever made you so insecure.”
Her expression falters as one of her friends suppresses a laugh, and for the first time since I’ve known her, Bethany is truly speechless. I leave her there like a fish out of water and walk out with my friends beside me.
We make it all the way outside before we stop, and Mariella glances at the guards.
“Can you give us a moment?”
They nod, walking out of earshot while still keeping an eye on us.
“Gabi, you handled that with so much grace.” Abella meets my gaze, eyes shining with warmth. “I’m so proud of you for speaking up. How did it feel?”
“Well, I’m still shaking and slightly nauseous.” I laugh awkwardly. “But it also feels…good. I want to do that more often, actually. I’m tired of choking down my thoughts and feelings to keep everyone around me comfortable.”
“You’ve been through a lot,” Abella says softly. “You learned to survive. But seeing you step into this version of yourself? It’s everything I could ever want for you.”
She tears up, so naturally I do too. Soon, we’re all crying, and instead of being embarrassed like I usually am, it feels cathartic.
“Abella is right.” Mariella wipes the edges of her eyes. “It takes courage to speak up for yourself when the world taught you it wasn’t safe. You don’t have to do it alone. We’ll always have your back.”
“Thank you,” I choke out. “I’m glad you said that because I actually do need your help.”
“What is it?” Abella asks.
“I don’t want to marry Riccardo.”
“Oh, thank God.” She presses a hand to her chest.
“I want to tell him this weekend when we’re at the island, while everyone is there, so I know it’s safe.”
“Of course.” Mariella nods. “We’ll be there for you.”
I rock slightly, nerves twisting inside me as I glance at Abella. “You mentioned before that you could try to talk to Angelo about ending this engagement. It won’t be enough to tell Riccardo. I’ll need protection from Michael’s anger when he finds out.”
“Hang on.” Abella holds up a finger as she rifles through her purse and pulls out her phone.
She presses a couple of buttons and places a video call, and I have a moment of panic when Angelo answers. I didn’t expect her to do it this instant.
“Hello, vita mia.” Abella smiles at the screen.
“You know what that does to me, cara.” Her husband’s voice dips. “Do I need to bend you over my desk again—”
“Oh my God, Angelo,” Mariella groans. “Can you not for five minutes?”
A low laugh rumbles from the speaker before Abella flips the screen to show him that we’re both here.
“Sorry, should have mentioned I have company.” She blushes. “That’s the reason I’m calling, actually. I have a question for you.”
“Then I probably have an answer,” he says smoothly.
“Can you find a way to void the marriage contract between Gabi and Riccardo? Her stepfather won’t let her out of it, so we need help.”
There’s a beat of silence as we wait for his response, which feels like an eternity, but it’s probably only a few seconds.
“Is this what Gabriela wants?”
Abella looks poised to answer, then thinks better of it and turns the phone to me so I can speak for myself. I offer Angelo a very awkward wave—for reasons I can’t explain—before I clear my throat and come right out with it.
“I don’t want to marry him. I know he’s your cousin, but…he’s awful.”
Angelo has always been slightly terrifying, but for a brief moment, I think I see his eyes soften a fraction.
“Okay.”
“Really?” I blurt.
“Something you should know about me, Gabi.” He smirks. “There isn’t a thing I won’t do when my wife asks.”
I smile, because I know that’s true. Still, I thought it would be much harder than that.
The Cosa Nostra isn’t exactly known for being flexible, and I truly didn’t know if asking would even get me anywhere.
But I think after what Angelo and Abella went through, he’s not quite so rigid about the rules.
“Aww.” Abella lets out a dreamy sigh as she turns the phone back to herself. “You want to clear some space on your schedule this afternoon?”
Mariella rolls her eyes as Angelo agrees.
“Is Nella awake yet?” she asks.
“She’s still napping.”
The two of them converted a space on their office floor into a daycare for their daughter, so when they’re both working, they can be nearby. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more devoted parents, and I’m glad they finally got their happy ending after so much turmoil.
“Okay,” Abella murmurs. “Give me an hour, and I’ll be there.”
They say goodbye to each other, and I shout a quick thank you before Abella disconnects the call.
“You have him wrapped around your finger.” Mariella laughs. “And he doesn’t care who knows it.”
“Well, it’s only fair. He has the same effect on me.”
“Riccardo is going to love this,” Mariella muses.
“Yeah, poor guy has had a bad run of luck lately,” Abella answers dryly. “All those problems with his businesses, escorts blackmailing him, getting mugged, and now losing the best thing he ever could have had. I feel so not sorry for him.”
“Wait, he got mugged?” I ask.
Mariella nods. “At the beginning of the week. Someone beat the shit out of him, and now he’s whining about it to the entire Cosa Nostra, demanding they find the culprit.”
“So that’s why he’s been MIA.” I try not to smile. “Is it wrong that I’m kind of relieved by that?”
“Nope.” Abella shakes her head. “That guy is an asshole, and I’m sure we only know the half of it.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
Concern flickers across her face. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, but I don’t know what he’s capable of.
After the last dance practice, he called and laid out his plans to control my entire life.
He wanted to dictate what I wear, when I’m allowed to spend time with my friends, and give me a phone that he would monitor.
That was just the beginning of his tirade. ”
“What an insecure little prick,” Abella huffs. “I’m so glad you won’t be chained to him.”
“Me too.” Mariella checks the time and sighs. “Sorry to cut this short, but I have to run back to my office.”
“I’ll walk Gabi to her car,” Abella offers.
“Thank you for being here today,” I tell Mariella. “And for arranging Cecilia’s help. I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” she says. “I’ll see you on Friday.”
“Friday?”
“Your birthday?” Her mouth quirks. “We planned a party for you at the penthouse. This is your advance notice so you can prepare to be spoiled.”
“Oh, okay.” I nod.
With everything going on recently, I’d almost forgotten it. My family has never celebrated my birthday, but my friends have always made sure I had one, with all the bells and whistles.
Mariella says goodbye, and we part ways, our guards trailing after us as we walk through the courtyard.
“You still haven’t told me how you knew this was happening today.” I glance at Abella.
“I know,” she says, a note of tension lingering in her voice. “I wanted to wait until we were alone before I mentioned it. Eros tipped me off.”
“How?” I frown.
She hesitates for a moment before she answers. “I know who he is.”
“You do?”
She bites her lip and nods. “I found out sort of inadvertently, and I can explain how if you want to know his identity.”
I contemplate that, but the thought of facing the truth still makes me anxious.
“What do you think? Should I know?”
“That’s something only you can answer.” She offers me an apologetic shrug.
“Well, you aren’t telling me to run, so I’m assuming that means he’s not completely deranged.”
“Not completely.” A quiet laugh escapes her.
“Can you hint at how you found out without completely giving it away?”
“Angelo found out first,” she confesses. “You remember that day you had to move out of your apartment?”
I think back on it, remembering the way Angelo looked at the city inspectors like he knew them. Something was definitely off about the way it played out, and it’s a safe assumption he did some digging to find out who was behind it.
“Is it someone we know?” I ask.
Abella starts to answer, but another wave of panic hits, and I stop her. “Wait, don’t tell me.”
“Okay.” She slams her mouth shut.
“I don’t know what to do,” I groan. “Things are so perfect right now, and I’m afraid when I find out who he is, that will be ruined.”
Her expression remains neutral, giving nothing away.
“Do you think that will be the case?” I press her.
“Honestly, I have no idea,” she says. “I’m not sure how you’ll feel about it once you know.”
I weigh my options, but decision paralysis has me in a chokehold.
Eventually, I’ll have to face the truth, whatever it is.
He can’t go on wearing a mask forever, and I can’t ignore these complicated feelings I have for him.
But right now, I’m already dealing with so much change, and realistically, I can only handle so much at a time.
So I make a choice that I think is best.
“I do want to know, but not today. I want to handle the thing with Riccardo first. If that goes smoothly, then you can tell me before I leave the island this weekend.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “Do you want to come over on Saturday? We can do brunch and have an impromptu girls’ night. We have plenty of guest rooms you can stay in.”
“Sure. That would be nice.”
“Good.” She lets out a relieved sigh. “This is going to be the best birthday weekend ever.”