Chapter 17 Carmela
CARMELA
Ihear a commotion downstairs and venture out of my room to investigate. To my utter shock and delight, I see Sophia standing in the foyer, her signature mischievous grin plastered across her face.
“Surprise!” she exclaims, throwing her arms wide open.
I rush down the stairs, nearly tripping over my own feet in my excitement, and envelop her in a tight hug.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, still in disbelief.
“I couldn’t let my best friend navigate married life alone, could I?” Sophia winks, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
I pull back from our embrace, tears of joy and relief welling up in my eyes. “Soph, you have no idea how much this means to me. I’ve missed you so much.”
Sophia’s expression softens, her brows knitting together in concern. “How are you doing, really? Your texts have been so... careful.”
I take a deep breath, glancing toward the kitchen where I can hear the family. “It’s been... complicated. But not in the way I expected.”
“Complicated how?”
I bite my lip, trying to find the right words. “I think I’m falling for him, Soph. My arranged husband. How insane is that?”
Sophia’s eyes widen, then a slow smile spreads across her face. “Not insane at all. Tell me everything.”
“Wait—first, how long are you here for? Just a visit, or...?” I ask, suddenly realizing we haven’t even discussed the logistics.
Sophia takes a deep breath, her smile turning more serious. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m not going back to LA, Carm. I’m staying here. In Philly.”
My mouth falls open. “What? But your job, your apartment, your whole life is there!”
“Was there,” she corrects. “I gave notice two weeks ago, sublet my apartment, and packed up everything that matters. It’s all in a storage unit until I figure out where I’m living here.”
“Sophia...” Tears spring to my eyes. “You did all that for me?”
“Of course I did.” She squeezes my hands. “You’re my best friend. You were forced to leave everything behind and start over in a strange city. I wasn’t about to let you do that alone.”
I pull her into a fierce hug, overwhelmed by her loyalty. “I don’t deserve you, Soph.”
“Nonsense,” she scoffs, pulling back to look at me. “You deserve the world. And I’m going to make damn sure you get it, even if I have to take on the entire De Luca family myself.”
I laugh through my tears. “You’re insane, you know that?” I take Sophia’s hand, excitement bubbling up. “Speaking of the De Luca family, let me introduce you to them. Brace yourself—they’re quite a bunch.”
Sophia grins, squeezing my hand in reassurance. “Lead the way, darling. I’m ready for anything.”
I guide her into the kitchen, where Silvo, Federico, and Isabella are gathered around the table. Federico and Isabella, caught in the middle of a lively debate, pause to take in the new arrival.
And then there’s Silvo. His piercing blue eyes lock onto mine, a mixture of curiosity and possessiveness swirling in their depths. I feel a shiver run down my spine, but this time it’s not from fear—it’s anticipation.
“Everyone, this is Sophia, my best friend from back home,” I announce, my voice steady and confident.
Isabella is the first to approach, enveloping Sophia in a warm hug. “I’m Isabella. Welcome to the madhouse. Any friend of Carmela’s is a friend of ours.”
Sophia returns the hug, her smile genuine. “Thank you, Isabella. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Fed nods, his eyes dropping down her body appraisingly. “I trust you’ll be staying with us for a while, Sophia?”
“If it’s not too much trouble,” Sophia replies. “I couldn’t bear the thought of Carmela navigating all this without her best friend.”
I feel a surge of affection for my friend, grateful for her unwavering support.
It’s Silvo’s reaction that I’m most interested in. He rises from his seat, his movements fluid and deliberate. He extends a hand to Sophia, though his gaze keeps returning to mine.
“Sophia, it’s a pleasure,” he says. “I’m sure Carmela is thrilled to have you here.”
I can’t quite decipher the undercurrent of emotion in his tone, but I refuse to let it unsettle me. Meeting his gaze head-on, I detect the question there—is this going to be a problem?
“I am,” I confirm, my voice unwavering. “Sophia’s presence here means the world to me.”
Silvo’s jaw tightens almost imperceptibly, but he quickly masks it with a charming smile. “Well, we’re happy to have you, Sophia. Please, make yourself at home.”
Fed stands, a charming grin spreading across his face, and pulls out a chair for her at the table. “Please, have a seat,” he offers, his voice smooth as honey.
Sophia flashes him a dazzling smile. “Why, thank you, Federico. Such a gentleman.”
I watch the exchange, amusement, and wariness swirling in my gut. The spark of interest in Sophia’s eyes worries me, especially since Federico has a reputation as a notorious flirt.
As Sophia shifts in her seat, Federico leans in close. “So, tell me, Sophia. What brings a beautiful woman like yourself to our humble abode?”
“Well, aside from being Carmela’s emotional support system, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet the infamous De Luca family.”
Fed’s grin widens. “Infamous, huh? I like the sound of that.”
I clear my throat, shooting Fed a warning look. “Easy there. Sophia’s here as my friend, not your latest conquest.”
He holds up his hands in mock surrender, his expression one of feigned innocence. “Hey, I’m just being friendly. No harm in that, right?”
Sophia places a hand on my arm. “It’s okay. I can handle a little harmless flirting.”
I sigh, knowing that trying to control either of them is a losing battle. “Fine. But remember, Fed, Sophia’s off-limits.”
My brother-in-law winks at me, his grin turning impish. “Duly noted, sis. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
Silvo, who has been observing the exchange with a calculating gaze, clears his throat. “Well, now that the introductions are out of the way, perhaps we can eat like a regular fucking family.”
There’s an edge to his tone, and I sense he’s irritated by something. Maybe Fed’s immediate interest in Sophia, or maybe simply the disruption to our routine. I catch his eye and see the tension there, the possessiveness that never quite leaves.
I lead Sophia up the grand staircase, our arms linked as we make our way to the guest room.
The dinner had been a whirlwind of emotions, with Federico’s relentless flirting and Silvo’s brooding presence.
I’m grateful for the momentary escape, the chance to catch my breath and reconnect with my best friend.
As we enter the guest room, Sophia flops down on the plush bed, a contented sigh escaping her lips. “Wow, Carmela. This place is something else.”
I sit beside her, my fingers absently tracing the intricate embroidery on the duvet. “It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?”
Sophia props herself up on her elbows, her eyes meeting mine with that knowing look that sees right through me. “Okay, now that we’re alone—how are you really doing? And I want the truth this time.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “Honestly? I don’t even know anymore. Everything’s changed so fast.”
“Changed how?” She sits up fully, giving me her complete attention.
I take a deep breath, trying to untangle the knot of feelings in my chest. “Silvo... he’s like a force of nature,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. “When we’re together, it’s electric. The way he touches me, the way he looks at me... it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”
I feel a flush creep up my neck as memories flood my mind—the poker night, the car, this morning’s kiss in the kitchen.
“But it’s not just physical,” I continue, my brows furrowing. “There are these moments when he lets his guard down. When he promises not to change who I am, when he looks at me like I’m the most important thing in his world.”
Sophia nods, her expression shifting to understanding. “It sounds like you’re falling for him.”
I bite my lip, the truth of her words settling over me. “I think I already have. And it terrifies me, Soph. A few weeks ago, I hated the idea of this marriage. Now...” I trail off, unable to finish.
“Now you can’t imagine your life without him,” Sophia finishes gently.
I nod, a tear slipping down my cheek. “How did this happen? How did I go from resenting everything about this arrangement to actually wanting it?”
Sophia takes my hand, her touch a comforting anchor. “Oh, honey. Love doesn’t follow rules or timelines. It just happens.”
“But what if I lose myself in this?” I whisper, voicing my deepest fear. “What if I become just another mafia wife, existing only as an extension of him?”
“From what I saw downstairs, that man doesn’t want to change you,” Sophia says firmly. “The way he watched you during dinner—that’s not a man who wants a docile wife. That’s a man completely fascinated by your strength.”
I manage a small smile. “He did say he doesn’t want to change me.”
“And do you believe him?”
I think about this morning, how he understood my fears without me having to explain. “Yeah. I think I do.”
Sophia squeezes my hand. “Then maybe it’s okay to let yourself fall. You don’t have to have everything figured out right now.”
I nod, wiping at my eyes. “When did you get so wise?”
“I’ve always been wise. You were just too stubborn to notice,” she teases, making me laugh.
After a moment, a sudden idea sparks in my mind. “Hey, why don’t we go out tomorrow night? Just the two of us, like old times.”
Sophia’s eyes light up, a grin spreading across her face. “Hell yes! I’m so down for a girls’ night.”
“It’s settled then—tomorrow night we party.
” I grin at her, though a flutter of nervousness runs through me.
Silvo won’t love the idea of me going out without him.
He’s intensely protective. But he also said he doesn’t want to change who I am, and going out with my best friend is part of who I’ve always been. He’ll have to understand that.