16

MILLIE
“I’m not worried,” Gio said, shaking his head. Agatone Merante and my father were signaling for us to join them, so we headed towards the table. As we approached, my father stood up and embraced me tightly. I was surprised by the show of affection. He patted the back of my head and whispered, “I’m proud of you.”
I forced a smile when we separated. “Proud of what? For losing my virginity? For giving myself away like that?”
Agatone placed a hand on both mine and Gio’s shoulders, smiling. “I hope we can expect little Merantes soon.”
I managed to hide my shock. Hadn’t Gio told them I was on birth control?
“I want to enjoy Millie’s company for a while longer before thinking about kids. Besides, with the Bratva closing in, I’d rather not have children to worry about,” Gio replied firmly. I couldn’t describe how relieved I felt hearing his words. I definitely wasn’t ready for motherhood. With everything that had happened, the last thing I needed was a baby to take care of.
His father nodded. “Yes, of course. Completely understandable.”
They then delved into a conversation about the Bratva, and it was clear I was dismissed. I slipped out of Gio’s grasp and walked over to the other women. Harper met me halfway. “Disgusting,” she muttered, scowling at the sheets.
“I know.”
I looked around but couldn’t spot Karsen or Sienna. “Where are-”
“They’re upstairs in their room with Enrique. Mother didn’t want them witnessing the sheets’ reveal,” she said, leaning in closer. “I’m so glad you’re finally here. Those women have been sharing their bloody sheet stories for hours. What’s wrong with the New York Familia? If I have to hear one more word about it, I swear I’ll give them a real bloodbath.”
“With me here now, I doubt they’ll talk about anything else,” I muttered. And I was right. Almost every woman felt the need to hug me and offer advice that only made me more nervous. ‘It’ll get better. Sometimes it takes time for a woman to be comfortable.’ And the classic: ‘Believe me, it took me years to enjoy it.’
Mother kept her distance, and I wasn’t sure why. Kayla didn’t say anything but wrapped her arms around me, touching her palm to my cheek and smiling before making way for another woman. Mother stood with her hands clasped in front of her, disapproval written all over her face. I was relieved she wasn’t sharing stories of her wedding night with Father. I approached her, and she pulled me into a tight hug. She wasn’t one to show much affection, but I appreciated her closeness.
“I wish I could have protected you from all this,” she whispered before pulling back, a flicker of guilt on her face. I nodded, understanding that there wasn’t much she could have done. Father wouldn’t have been swayed from the agreement.
“Gio can’t take his eyes off you. You’ve clearly made an impression on him,” Gio’s stepmother teased.
I smiled politely at her. “I’m sure he’s just being cautious, making sure I don’t reveal any secrets accidentally.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the door at the back open, and Sienna slipped in, followed by Karsen. They must have used Enrique’s bathroom break as an opportunity to escape. Harper made a face as our brother stood in front of the sheets.
I excused myself and walked over to them, with Harper following closely. Mother was engrossed in polite conversation with Gio’s stepmother.
“Why are you here, you little monster?” Harper asked, grabbing Karsen’s shoulders.
“Why are the sheets bloody?” he half-shouted. “Has someone been killed?”
Harper burst into laughter, and Sienna looked honestly distressed as she glanced at the sheets. I supposed it burst her bubble of fairy tale princes and lovemaking under the stars. The men at the table behind us also started laughing, and Karsen’s face scrunched up in anger. Although he was only eight, he had a temper. Harper ruffled his hair.
“Are you going to New York with Gio?” Karsen asked suddenly.
“Yeah,” I replied, biting my lip.
“But I want you to come home with us.”
I blinked, trying to hide my anguish over hearing him say that. “I know.”
Sienna tore her eyes away from the sheets for a moment. “Won’t you go on a honeymoon?”
“Not right now. The Russians and the Taiwanese are giving Gio trouble.”
Karsen nodded as if he understood, and maybe he did. With every year that passed, he’d learn more about the dark world he lived in.
“Stop staring at the sheets,” Harper said in a low voice, but Sienna seemed too caught up in the sight.
Her face scrunched up. “I think I’m going to be sick.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and steered her outside. She shook in my grip.
“Hold it back,” I ordered as we half ran out of the room, everyone’s eyes following us. We stumbled into the hall. “Where’s the bathroom?” This mansion had too many rooms.
Dario motioned us to the end of the hall and opened a door, then closed it when we were inside. I held Sienna’s hair as she threw up in the toilet bowl, then made her sit down on the ground. I wiped her face with a wet towel and a bit of soap. “I still feel strange.”
“Put your head between your knees.” I crouched before her. “What’s the matter?”
She gave a small shrug.
“I’ll get you some tea.” I straightened.
“Don’t let Dario see me like this.”
“Dario isn’t…” I trailed off. Sienna obviously had a crush on him. It was futile, but I could at least allow her that small fantasy, when the sight of the sheets had already distressed her so much. “I’ll keep him out,” I promised instead and slipped out of the bathroom.
Dario and Gio waited in front of it.
“Is your sister okay?” Gio asked. Was he actually concerned or only polite?
“The sheets made her queasy.”
Dario’s expression darkened. “They shouldn’t allow young girls to witness something like that. It’ll only scare them.” He glanced at Gio as if catching himself. But Gio waved dismissively. “You are right.”
“Sienna needs some tea.”
“I can get it for her, and stay with her so you can return to your guests,” Dario suggested.
I smiled. “That’s nice, but Sienna doesn’t want you to see her.”
Dario frowned. “Is she scared of me?”
“You sound like that isn’t a possibility,” I said with a laugh. “You are a soldier of the mafia. What’s not to be scared of?” I decided not to play with him anymore and lowered my voice. “But that’s not it. Sienna has a major crush on you and doesn’t want you to see her like that.” That, and I didn’t want any of Gio’s men alone with Sienna until I knew them better.
Gio grinned. “Dario, you still got it. Capturing the hearts of fourteen-year-old girls left and right.” Then he turned his attention to me. “But we have to return. The women will be mortally offended if you don’t give them all your attention.”
“I’ll take care of Sienna,” Harper said, appearing in the hall with Karsen.
I smiled. “Thanks,” I said as I brushed her hand in passing. The moment I was back in the dining room, the women flocked around me again, trying to extract more details from me. I pretended to be too embarrassed to speak about it which I would have been and only gave them vague answers. Guests eventually started to leave, and I knew it would soon be time to say goodbye to my family and leave for my new life.