Chapter 22 #2
I took off from work a little longer than I anticipated so I could spend more time with her, which was a good idea because we’ve gotten to know each other really well.
As I put on my watch, I check the time and notice people should be arriving soon for the barbecue. I’m not going to lie, I’m excited to introduce Laurie to Remo, Georgi, and Augusto.
Heading downstairs, I find Laurie sitting on the couch, staring up at the oak tree while her knee jumps a mile a minute.
“Don’t be nervous,” I tell her, leaning over her to press a kiss to her mouth.
When I straighten up again, I hear engines as cars pull up the driveway.
Laurie jumps up, her eyes darting from me to the front door.
Gripping her chin, I force her to look at me. “Stop worrying.”
“I can’t help it,” she mutters. “What if they don’t like me?”
“They will.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “You don’t know that.”
I take her hand and pull her toward the back of the mansion, and when we step out on the veranda, I hear Yuki say, “Oh my God, I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Right, ages being yesterday,” Nina chuckles. “Did you bring that pot I wanted?”
“Shit, I forgot. I’ll drop it off tomorrow.”
Laurie tightens her hold on my hand and inches closer to me, her eyes locked on the two women as they walk down the path toward the barbecue area.
When we pass the pool, I hear Georgi hollar, “Augusto, he’s back here!”
I glance to my left as Georgi jumps over a bed of flowers, coming right at me. “You motherfucker!” Then I’m hauled into a hug.
Just as he lets go, Augusto gives me a brotherly hug, slapping my back twice. “Congrats on getting married.”
I feel the slight tremble in Laurie’s hand and look at her. Seeing her nerves are getting the better of her, I place my arm around her shoulder. “This is Laurie, my wife.” My voice is filled with so much fucking pride. “This is Georgi and Augusto, my best friends.”
“Nice to meet you,” Laurie says.
Before Georgi and Augusto can reply, Yuki and Nina join them, friendly smiles on their faces.
Nina suffered some serious shit, and I had my doubts about her when Georgi brought her home, but she’s been good for him, and the past several months, she’s become a part of the family and come into her own.
Yuki’s been a part of us for so long, it’s hard to remember a time without her. She’s the first to respond, reaching her hand out to Laurie. “I’m Yuki. I’m married to this one.” She jabs her thumb at Augusto.
Nina also shakes Laurie’s hand, saying, “I’m Nina, Georgi’s partner.”
“It’s so nice to meet both of you,” Laurie replies, her hand still trembling.
My butterfly is so fucking used to people treating her like shit, she’s probably trying to brace for Nina and Yuki to ignore her.
But on cue, Yuki hooks her arm through Laurie’s and gives me a grin. “We’re stealing your wife.”
Laurie glances at me, and seeing the smile on my face, she seems to relax a little as Yuki and Nina walk with her to the barbecue area where Dad and Big Ricky are already firing up the grill.
“So,” Georgi says as he pats my shoulder. “Married.”
“Yes.” My smile widens. “She’s fucking amazing.”
Augusto tilts his head to the side, frowning at me before he starts to grin. “Christ, you’re so fucking in love you don’t know if you’re coming or going.”
Georgi chuckles, then says, “I’m happy for you, brother. I was worried you were going to be a bachelor forever.”
“Says the fucker who’s not even married,” I grumble.
A secretive smile tugs at his mouth, but before I can question him about it, Remo shouts from the other side of the property, “Where’s my sister-in-law?”
He must’ve used the back entrance and parked at our parents’ place.
“Let’s join the others,” I say, hauling ass so I don’t miss Remo meeting Laurie.
I’m just in time to see Remo say, “You must be the woman who brought my brother to his knees.”
A blush creeps up Laurie’s neck and settles in her cheeks, and before she can reply, Remo hauls her into a hug. “Welcome to the family, Laurie, and good luck surviving Adriano.”
“That’s three seconds too long, Remo,” I snap.
With a chuckle, he lets go of my wife, then comes to shake my hand. “Congratulations. I hope she makes you half as happy as Valentina makes me.”
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere,” Valentina suddenly says from behind me.
“What did he do now?” Mom asks from beside Remo’s fiancée as they carry the meat to the table.
“His phone has been ringing off the hook with men saying they’re big boys willing to do anything around the house, and listing the kinkiest shit that will make you want to rinse your eyes out with acid.
He got tired of dealing with the men and left his phone with me to handle the calls and messages. ”
Georgi and Big Ricky burst out with laughter while the rest of us chuckle.
“Why didn’t you ask Rosie to take care of it?” Mom asks.
“Fuck, I didn’t think of it,” Remo replies.
I throw my arm around his shoulder and smirk at him. “Payback’s a bitch.”
“It was you!” He practically gasps.
“That only makes it funnier.” Big Ricky doubles over as he cracks up.
Letting go of Remo, I walk to Laurie, who’s watching everything with a wide smile on her face.
I haul her to my side, then say to the whole group, “Thank you for coming today so I could introduce you all to my wife.” I lock eyes with her.
“From utterly obsessed to madly in love, she owns my heart.” Laurie’s lips part as shock ripples over her face.
Meaning it from the darkest depths of my soul, I finally admit in front of the most important people in my life, “I love you, mia piccola farfalla.”
“Oh my gosh, it’s so sweet that he calls her his little butterfly,” Valentina coos before smacking Remo's chest. “Take a page out of your brother’s book.”
He hooks his arm around her and tugs her closer. “Ti amo, mia furia.”
While Remo gets Valentina to melt by calling her his fury, I lean down and press a tender kiss to Laurie’s mouth.