Chapter 46 – Penelope
I f my sisters were confused why we went straight from the airport to the marina instead of going for drinks and dinner on the town, they didn’t say. Dressed in country chic, they looked like relics of my past. The strappy heels and flirty dress covering me were uptown girl. It was a wonder they recognized me.
I didn’t need to worry.
The change in circumstance didn’t matter. The moment they rushed through the baggage claim area, and we squealed in a long overdue hug, the trivial things faded.
“So where is the sister-in-law?” Jillian asked as the marina attendant ushered us along the docks and docks of boats.
Karen’s brows shot to her forehead. “Sister-in-law? What the hell does that mean?”
I sighed. Jillian knew more of the secrets than any of the others. I began to explain the abbreviated version of my marriage as we walked. As promised, the guards kept their distance, not joining us at the airport, tailing me in a car and only emerging to greet us in the parking lot. They sauntered ahead of us now, leading the way, not looking like they were scouting for danger. We rounded a corner, taking a horizontal stretch of dock. At the end of it were two women. It was hard to say if they were standing off or reuniting. Nico and Giulio went to stand with Serena’s guard near what I assumed was the boat we were taking. It was the biggest in the marina—naturally.
“Serena’s the one in red,” I said, pointing.
Karen hurried forward, stuck out her hand, and ended up giving Serena a hug. The rumpled look on the mafia princess was priceless. Jillian had a little more reservation, but only because she was a nurse and her people skills were better.
It’s going to be so good going back with them.
I steadied myself. Tonight, I would play my cards carefully. If all went well, we wouldn’t be in Chicago to see the sunrise.
“Your sisters are as wild as you were,” Serena observed, giving me a pointed look.
I shrugged. “It’s all the fresh air out west.”
My sister-in-law hummed politely. She had her manners and grace wrapped around her as if her life depended on it. I swept a curious look over the other woman, whose sailor stripe outfit was more costume than practical.
“Penelope, this is Annaliese.” Serena gestured between us.
“I was going to take the sailboat out and ran into my old crony.” Annaliese smiled broadly. “But it seems she can’t do dinner, since she has other plans.”
“Why don’t you join us?” I offered. “We have plenty of room, and then you and Serena can catch up.”
Serena stiffened. For this being her old friend, there was some kind of strange tension simmering under the surface.
Annaliese’s eyes lit up at my invitation, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I’d be delighted,” she said, ignoring Serena’s subtle head shake.
The Mancini’s yacht was even more magnificent up close—a gleaming seventy-foot beauty with three decks and chrome railings that caught the late afternoon sun like liquid silver. The name Fortune’s Kiss was emblazoned on the stern in elegant script. As we approached, a uniformed crew member met us on the boarding ramp.
“Welcome aboard,” he said with a practiced smile, his Italian accent thick but understandable. “There are cocktails on the upper deck.”
“We’re ready to cast off, Salvo,” Nico said, but he wasn’t looking at the crew member.
No, his eyes were focused on Karen.
Mother of god, I didn’t think I would have to fight off the soldiers when it came to my sister. Thankfully, Jillian’s ring would keep the others at bay.
Karen whistled low, her eyes wide. “When you said boat, Penny, I was thinking something with, I don’t know, oars maybe?”
“The Mancini family doesn’t do anything small,” Annaliese said, wandering off with my sisters in search of the drinks.
“Hey, S, are you okay?” I tugged my sister-in-law aside.
Serena nodded. “Yeah, it’s just…she’s a reminder of everything I’m not.”
“Oh. Oh, gosh, S, I had no idea.” I lifted my arms, thought better of hugging her, and dropped them.
“I want to travel. I want to see the world without my brother guarding my every step. I want to meet people, Penny.” The truth tumbled out, as if the dam was broken and the terrible longing could no longer be contained.
“Maybe there’s a way,” I began, but she cut me off.
“No, not for me. Annaliese grew up strict, but she found a way to do exactly what she wanted. In a way, she reminds me of you. Life doesn’t hold you down—”
“It does,” I insisted.
“Not for long, Penny.”
Serena pulled herself straight, set a smile on her face, and led the way where the others had disappeared up a staircase.
I padded after her. The upper deck of the yacht was breathtaking—a wide-open space with plush seating, a bar stocked with crystal decanters, and an unobstructed view of Lake Michigan stretching to the horizon. The sun was beginning its descent, painting everything in gold.
My sisters had already made themselves comfortable, drinks in hand. Karen was chatting animatedly with Nico, who seemed genuinely amused by whatever she was saying. Jillian was examining the Chicago skyline with Giulio, her practical nature on full display.
“So, how long have you and Serena’s brother been married?” Annaliese asked, materializing beside me with two glasses of something amber and expensive-looking.
I accepted the drink. “A few weeks. Still in the honeymoon phase, I suppose.”
Her laugh was musical but sharp. “You don’t have to sugarcoat it with me, darling. With the Mancinis, there is no such thing.”
Serena’s face tightened at the comment, but she busied herself with accepting a flute of something sparkling from the bartender.
“How was Germany?” I asked, trying to turn the spotlight off myself. This woman was intense. While it was possible to envision myself being friends with her, there was too much turbulence at this moment to risk a deep conversation.
“Do you know any Germans, Penelope?” Annaliese cocked her head.
“My dad is mostly German, actually. Granted, that was a few generations ago, but they married amongst themselves and I assume that’s how the character traits passed down to us,” I laughed.
“Well then, you’ll understand when I say they’re a harsh, unforgiving sort.” Annaliese slammed the rest of her drink. “Come sit with me, Penny. I want to hear all about how you tamed the wicked, soulless Mancini heir.”
Groaning, I grabbed Serena’s elbow and forced her to come with us.
“You know I had a crush on Alessandro in middle school.” Annaliese leaned against the railing, gazing into her empty cup.
“Tell me!” I leaned forward, suddenly interested. “What was he like?”
Annaliese snorted. “Late-twenties and ambitious. He didn’t give us girls the time of day.”
We gabbed for another quarter of an hour. Serena warmed up after the second flute of bubbles, and the excursion seemed to be off to a good start.
As we grazed on a charcuterie board, inching farther into the lake, the city becoming a miniscule portrait of blinking lights set against the red-gold sky, another boat came cruising down from the north. Since it was the only other ship out here, it drew our attention. It easily was the size of this yacht, if not bigger.
“Good Lord, Baldwin is in town!” Annaliese gasped, sitting up straight. Her eyes blazed bright.
“Anna,” Serena warned, jumping to tug her friend away.
“What the hell was that about?” Karen giggled.
Nico looked like he wanted to say something, but a dark look from Giulio silenced him. I wanted desperately to know but knew better than to talk about business in front of the girls. My fingers fidgeted with the bandage on my hand. This was how it would always be, me keeping secrets from my family. If only the new family I surrounded myself with filled the void better.
One of Serena’s guards carried a sleek, portable speaker onto the deck, and soon, lively music filled the air, its rhythm spreading overboard to tease the waves. My sisters, with mischievous glints in their eyes, mercilessly teased the city boys about their eclectic music choice, their laughter mingling with the tunes. A spirited battle of songs quickly ensued, each group trying to outdo the other with their selections. As we polished off another round of colorful cocktails, the mood shifted, and we were all drawn to the makeshift dance floor, our bodies swaying and moving in time with the infectious beats.
I felt weightless, like I was suspended in a dream where nothing mattered but the rhythm that pulsed through the floorboards and up into my bones.
Annaliese and Serena reappeared. This time, the tension seemed less.
We sailed closer to shore, cruising along the length of the city. The night turned dark, but I barely noticed. The music and good times had me now.
Gasping, I clutched the railing.
Jillian stepped beside me. “You’re not wearing his ring.”
I held up my empty finger. “What ring?”
“Your husband’s.”
She might be younger than me, but I felt the guilt in the face of a seasoned adult.
“Shit, Pen, you love him.” Jillian turned me around.
“What? No!” I stammered. I hadn’t even told her I was married until the other day, but she read me like a damn book.
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out how you found the money for mom’s surgery,” she said dryly and took a sip of her cocktail. “You married money. But now…you fell for him.”
I snatched her drink and downed it. A hiss escaped my lips. I frowned at the cup.
That was soda water and lime.
“There’s no booze—Jillian!” I squeaked.
My sister clapped her hand over my mouth. “Don’t you say a word. It’s too early, and with everything going on with mom, I don’t want to add to their plate by worrying about a pregnant me.”
I tugged away from her. “Then you’ll understand when I say don’t you dare tell them about my life choices.”
She snorted.
Together we gazed over the water. Here, more boats sailed by. Karen and Nico waved and shouted to them.
“It’s nice to see one of us is still carefree,” I muttered.
“You’ve always managed to do the impossible.” Jillian leaned on me. “Thank you, Pen.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“What do you need?” she pressed.
Looking behind me, I dropped my voice. “Actually, we’re going to cut your vacation short. Here’s the plan.”
Once I laid it out, my sister let out a long whistle. “I don’t know who your husband is, but my guess is he’s not going to like this.”
“Fuck him. Are you going to help me or not?”
“I’ll leave the fucking to you, but yes, of course I will.” She took the empty glass. “It’s a good thing one of us is sober enough to drive tonight.”
I nodded.
“Look at the colorful lights!” Karen mused.
Wandering to her, my heart shot to my throat. Three patrol boats were bearing down on us, red and blue lights flashing. Sirens blared over the water. They were coming straight at us.
“Get down!” Nico shouted, suddenly all business as he moved toward us with purpose.
My stomach dropped. This wasn’t some routine harbor patrol. Something was very wrong.
Giulio was already on his phone, barking orders in rapid Italian. The party atmosphere evaporated.
“What’s happening?” Karen asked, her voice rising with panic as Nico gently but firmly guided her away from the railing.
“Coast Guard,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady. “Or police. Either way, not good.”
Jillian shot me a look that said everything: This is what you married into?
I shrugged. There would be a harsh interrogation later—if we made it to the rental car place and left the city as I planned.
Annaliese, surprisingly, seemed the least concerned of all of us. She sipped her drink with almost theatrical calm, watching the approaching boats with something like amusement. When she caught me watching, she smirked and went to my sisters. “Go below deck and wait for the law to board. They won’t hurt you two.”
My sisters wavered. Panic clawed inside me. What if they were hurt because of me?
“They’re after you two,” Annaliese said pointedly, dragging Serena and I aside. “You shouldn’t be here when they board.”
“How do you—”
“She knows about our family, Penny,” Serena said pointedly. “Her dad has made it his life’s mission to destroy the mob. That was part of our last big fight.”
“Yes, yes, I know I was stupid about it,” Annaliese snapped. “Ancient history. Right now, you two mafia princesses need to get off this boat. The cops can’t touch us, since we don’t know anything and the guards won’t blab.”
“One phone call to Daddy and this will all be forgotten,” Serena said, rolling her eyes in disgust.
Annaliese only smiled. “So long as you two aren’t here, yeah, that’s what will happen.”
“You’ll protect my sisters?” I insisted.
The woman placed her hand over her heart. “With my life.”
“Can I trust her?” I demanded, rounding on Serena.
My sister-in-law studied her old friend. “She hates her dad more than he hates the mob. So yes, she’ll use him and his resources to protect your sisters.”
“Glad you realize that now, Serena. Now! Time’s wasting. Get off the boat,” Annaliese said pleasantly.
“We’re on the lake, where the hell are we going to go?” Serena spewed.
The patrol boats swiftly closed in, their sirens screaming as they flanked the yacht, which gradually decelerated until it came to a complete halt. The yacht’s graceful motion ceased, and the air was filled with the metallic clatter of the anchor’s chains rattling somewhere in the depths below, echoing a garish tune over the waves.
Annaliese and I shared a look.
“Oh, madonna, no!” Serena groaned.
“You’re a great swimmer,” her friend coaxed. “I’ll have Daddy’s lawyer clean this mess up, and we’ll hang out another time.”
Annaliese hurried us to the front of the boat. “Jump, bitches.” She gave us a shove.
As I lost my balance and tumbled forward, my arms flailed wildly in a desperate attempt to regain control. The plunge into the water was a jarring shock, the icy chill striking me like a sharp slap against my skin, contrasting sharply with the lingering warmth of the humid evening air. The murky depths surrounded me, swallowing me whole and obscuring my vision in an inky blackness that pressed against me from all sides.
Strong fingers clutched me.
Serena dragged me to the surface, and I coughed out the dirty lake water.
“Can you swim?” she hissed, tugging me along.
“Kinda sorta.” I began to paddle after her.
“Try to keep up,” Serena called.
After just five minutes, my limbs trembled uncontrollably, the muscles quivering with exhaustion. My lungs burned, each breath a desperate gasp as I fought against the relentless pull of the waves trying to drag me down into their depths. In the distance, a black raft bobbed on the water, a beacon of hope. Serena, her strokes powerful and deliberate, altered her path, her arms slicing through the water with determination as she swam toward it.
She called out in Italian, and a male responded.
There wasn’t oxygen enough to battle the confusion. I simply followed.
“Get Penny first,” Serena hissed, smacking at the hands reaching for her.
Just as my lungs burned with desperation and my strokes weakened, the raft bobbed closer through the choppy waves. A large man leaned forward, his grip firm and reassuring as he hoisted me from the frigid water and into the cramped safety of the small vessel.
An impossibly familiar face, covered in shadows, stared back at me.
“Pen, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to the owner of the Fortune’s Favorite .” Serena gestured to the yacht anchored twenty yards away.
“The world knows him as the reclusive business mogul, Leonard Baldwin,” Serena drawled, leaning back in the water, expertly treading the waves. “But that’s just a front. Penny, meet Leonardo Mancini, my big brother.”