by Zavi James
“Luc,” she whispered my name in the darkness. “I don’t want to wait longer than we have to.”
“What do you mean?”
Her fingers distractedly drew patterns across my bare chest, following the lines of tattoos, of my vow. “I don’t want to spend another Christmas plotting and planning when I could be enjoying it with my son. I want this all wrapped up sooner rather than later.”
“Say the word and I’ll head over to Xavier’s now.”
“And ruin all the hard work I’ve put in for tomorrow? I’d never forgive you.”
I chuckled. “Neither would Katia. Jonah said she’s been looking forward to it more than Christmas. You’ve made quite the impression on her.”
“She’s not so bad,” Mia admitted. Whatever frosty atmosphere had lain between them when Mia first returned had fully thawed until Katia had slowly worked her way into Mia’s inner circle. “Let’s just hope that I’ve made a similar impression on everyone else.”
As her breathing shallowed and sleep took over, I stared up at the ceiling. Mia was right. This needed to be dealt with sooner rather than later. We’d held off because of her pregnancy, had started to build new bridges and strengthen old ones, and with the holidays almost over, there was no need for delay. We’d usher in the new year with a new era.
Chapter Forty Four
Mia
“Ow! Jesus, Mia,” Dante said, pulling his hand away from the table of food, following my slap. “I’m sure they’re not going to miss one vol-au-vent. You’ve got enough to feed an army here and I’m starving.”
“When are you not?” Luc asked, walking into the room, carrying Link. Every time I saw them together my heart soared, and I was reminded just how lucky I was.
“Everything needs to look perfect,” Maria answered before I had the chance to. “Once everyone’s seen it then you can eat to your heart’s content.”
“I’m holding you to that,” he mumbled as a knock on the door announced the arrival of the first guests.
“Show time,” Luc said, kissing me on the cheek.
The house slowly started to fill with families as the staff showed them through to our large reception room. A few had replied to our invite and smiled, breaking the ice by asking about Christmas Day. Even those who hadn’t replied to the invitation had turned up throughout the day to partake in post-Christmas revelry. A small get together. Maria had mentioned that she and Charlie had used to host one that was followed by the Moretti New Year’s ball as the pinnacle events of the holidays and I had run with it. Revived the tradition in hopes that people would respond. I’d held my breath, always less confident than Luc in social situations, but the worry hadn’t been necessary. The family would take any excuse to celebrate in excess, and I’d provided.
For a few brief moments, as I took a drink off a silver tray, I surveyed the room. The holidays I remembered were quieter and not as grand. It was only two years ago that Dad and I would have sat in the living room, unwrapping gifts and drinking eggnog. It felt longer than two years ago; it felt a lifetime away while I watched women in expensive clothes and men with deadly secrets sip on champagne and share pleasantries. And although this was far removed from the life I was raised in, I was beginning to become accustomed to it. We were one and the same now. People who enjoyed the best that life had to offer and did anything needed to keep it that way. All these people had arrived per my invite. They came for my family and complimented me on my choices. Ever since the engagement, I’d seen the shift. I might not have liked them all—I definitely didn’t trust them all—but the feeling of importance was like a drug. For the first time in my life, I was gaining power and it was addictive.
Link had been put down for his nap and my eyes scanned the room until I found Luc. He stood near the fireplace, holding court with a few others. His shoulders were relaxed, hand occasionally flying as he punctuated a point in the conversation, and they all listened intently. He looked so comfortable and in control of the situation, and it sparked a deep yearning to pull us both away from all of this so I could have him alone.
As I looked away, I caught Xavier walking into the room, Emilia’s arm looped through his own. I felt an icy chill run down me. It had been Maria’s advice to invite Xavier and Emilia to avoid it looking strange. The couple found their son and lapsed into conversation. Xavier and Gabriel looked friendlier than I could remember since I’d arrived home. A woman stood with Gabe, someone I didn’t recognise, and I tried to place her but there was nothing, no previous event, no other person, that made her familiar to me. She was dressed demurely, hair scraped back showing off sharp, angular cheekbones. My invites had allowed a plus one, but I had assumed I’d know every guest. It was only polite for me to make an introduction, which meant biting the bullet and facing Xavier again.
“Mia!” Katia’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Come join us!” She tottered over to me in her heels and pulled me into a small ring of women, all nursing a glass of fizz in well jeweled hands. Introductions could wait a little longer. Tori smiled kindly from across the circle and lifted her glass to me.
“We noticed the Ferrari on the drive. Your Christmas gift to Luc?” Rosalie asked, placing a hand on my arm. As promised, Luc and I had taken the car out in the morning and returned with the vow that I’d be getting a driver for Valentine’s day. It came as no surprise that this group would only be interested in the material possessions. None of them would notice the way Luc and I had pulled ourselves back together. They didn’t know of the forgiveness, love and trust that had been exchanged since I’d walked back into his life. You couldn’t put a price on what we had together.
“No,” I said. I had the intense urge to look down into my glass. To watch the bubbles rise to the surface before they popped in a bid to avoid eye contact. Maria’s eyes were trained on me and she gave an almost imperceptible nod. I understood. No one here would appreciate modesty and so I tipped my chin upwards and smiled at the circle. “That was his gift to me.”
Rosalie let out a disgusted sound. “How unfair. A house, a ring, a baby and now a car.”
“I’d argue that Mia gifted Luc with Link,” Tori commented, rolling her eyes.
“Are you planning another?” Rosalie asked excitedly, ignoring Tori’s remark.
“She’s only just had Link. Plus, Mia has a wedding to plan first,” Tori reminded her.
Katia’s eyes grew as she asked, “When are we expecting you to both make it all official?”
“Spring.” It was the first word that popped out of my mouth. Luc and I hadn’t discussed setting the date yet. We had some more pressing issues, but they couldn’t know that. For everyone else, there was no reason to wait.
“Spring!” Rosalie echoed, clapping her hands together. “You’ll make a beautiful spring bride, Mia.”
I hoped I’d make a beautiful bride regardless of the season. Judging by the way Tori snorted into her drink I assumed she had the same thoughts.
The conversation drifted into talk of the wedding. Flowers, dress styles, and, most importantly, the guest list. I kept myself quiet as they discussed among themselves who they thought shouldn’t attend, seeing as they had not bothered to turn up to this event. I wasn’t willing to say anything that might cause an issue for us later down the line. Aside from the political minefield of the guestlist, the day ran smoother than I had imagined it would. Even Dante was on his best behavior. So much of our future rode on how people perceived us, and all of us were putting our best efforts into ensuring it was only in a positive light.
Our circle of gossip disbanded to mingle with others, and I took the chance to top up my glass, grateful for a moment of peace. I hadn’t seen Xavier or Emilia since they first walked in, although Gabe and his mystery woman were still working the room.
“How are you holding up?” Luc asked, his arms snaking around my waist and pulling me into him. My body melted against his, leaning on him and taking in the scent of whiskey and tobacco.
“Still alive and still in on
e piece,” I replied, earning me a kiss on my temple. “By the way, we’re getting married in the spring.”
“Where was I when this decision was made?” He leaned back to look at me properly, eyebrow raised quizzically.
“Probably smoking a cigar with Dante and the others.”
“Right. Spring. We’d better get onto a planner.”
“We don’t have to do it then. I just didn’t know what to say and it was the first thing that came out of my mouth.”
“No, it’s good. I don’t want to wait. We shouldn’t wait.”
It was a comfort to know that Luc didn’t want to wait, although I knew that was partially his impatient nature and partially because the good Catholic boy in him knew he shouldn’t have had children with me out of wedlock and was worried for our souls.
“Who’s that with Gabriel?” I asked, tipping my glass toward the couple.
“Chastity Perkins,” Luc answered without hesitation.
“Who is she?” Gabe’s arm was wrapped around her waist, completely at ease with his surroundings, but Chastity’s eyes darted around as if she was looking for an escape route. “I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”
“You wouldn’t have. She’s Silas Perkins’ daughter. Been busy in college the last I’d heard.” He mumbled the information. “Looks like Gabe’s been trying to form some alliances of his own.”
“You’re not close to Silas?”
“He’s an acquired taste.”
Gabe had been unusually quiet, and the reason was now apparent. With his plans to use me well and truly dead in the water, he’d moved onto the next option. But if Silas wasn’t someone considered a big hitter then why would Gabe be parading his daughter around?
“Should we be concerned?”
“Not yet,” he answered honestly. “Chas has had her head stuck in a book. Most of us don’t know her well enough. I’d keep an eye out, but I’d say she’s no real threat.”
Nodding my head, I asked, “Did you see Xavier?”
Luc’s body tensed and I turned in his arms so I could face him. “He stopped by. Didn’t say much and left.”
“Not long,” I said, putting a free hand on the side of his face. The holidays were almost over and so was this nightmare. “We’re almost there.”
Chapter Forty Five
Lucas
The vein in my neck jumped every time I thought about being stuck in the Moretti residence all night. Thoughts of revenge lingered in my mind, pushed to the back thanks to my son and Mia, but knowing I would be around him all night woke a primal desire that made my skin itch. It had been my idea to be patient. It had been my idea to buy us time and support, but the instinct to dispose of the person who had crossed me thrummed in my veins.
“Whatever you are thinking, stop,” Mia told me sharply as she dropped her phone back into her clutch. No doubt she was checking in on Link. It didn’t matter that Lydia was looking after him or that we’d only just left; Mia would still worry.
“You can’t blame me.”
“I don’t but you have one more night to get through.”
The day after Christmas had been an eye opener for both of us. Most of the family had weaved their way in an out of the house throughout the day. Whether for myself, Mia or Link, it had shown us there were people who would listen if we called. If that hadn’t been enough for us to put our plans into motion, seeing Gabriel with Chas had made us realize we weren’t the only ones plotting.
As per usual, the Moretti estate had been decorated ostentatiously and guests gawped in awe as they made their way through the house. Mia stuck close to my side as we mingled. It was a stark contrast to when she had first come back. No one had dared look at her, but a few months of work and Mia was sought out for conversation.
“He’ll be able to look after himself,” Katia said, shooting me a smile. “Come enjoy the night.”
Mia cast me a glance. “Looks like my presence is needed.”
“Go,” I told her, giving her a quick kiss. “Katia.” The blonde looked at me with wide eyes. “She’s a lightweight so be gentle with her.”
Katia let out a laugh before she grabbed Mia’s arm and led her into the crowd to join the rest of the women. It was good for Mia to have people outside of myself and Dante to spend time with. That used to be Gabe and Tori, but after the stunts Gabe had pulled and her guilt with Tori, Mia had stopped relying on the Moretti twins as much.
“Flying solo?” Dante came up to me with a lopsided grin.
“Obviously not,” I told him.
“You never know. We all know Mia loves Link more than you. She could have changed her mind and stayed at home.”
It pained me, some days, just how much Mia doted on Link. Sharing her attention was something I was getting used to, but there was no competition when it came to our son.
“Katia just dragged her off for whatever debauchery they have planned for the evening.”
“She’s done well,” Dante commented as we joined the thick of the party.
“You have no idea,” I told him. Dante didn’t know about Mia’s run in with Amber or what she’d planned. He’d seen what we all had: the new, shiny version of Mia. She’d often wondered if she’d lost her old self in becoming part of my world, but I didn’t believe that. Mia hadn’t changed, just been enhanced. Deep down she remained the woman I’d met all those months ago: loyal and loving and my guiding light.
The music pulsed through the room as we side stepped around extravagant gowns and accepted drinks that were handed to us.
“How are things with you and Tori?” I asked.
Dante shrugged. “Well enough.” He never seemed willing to divulge much about their relationship these days.
“You know I won’t be able to thank you enough for what you’re willing to do for us.”
Dante held up a hand and a serious look replaced the easy-going expression he usually wore. “For the last time, you don’t need to thank me or show me gratitude. Mia’s making you fucking soft. We’re family. That comes before everything else, end of discussion. I’m not just doing it for you and Mia and Link. I’m doing it for Charlie.”
That last sentence made my heart thud painfully. When we said we were doing this for family it meant doing right by Charlie, who had been betrayed, lied to, and died, for a man who wasn’t worth the bottom of his shoes.
“And you said Mia’s making me soft,” I said, punching his arm.
“Hope you boys are behaving yourself and not causing a scene.” Emilia joined us, Tori by her side.
“He wouldn’t dare,” Tori said, looking at Dante. She stepped up and kissed him.
“Of course not,” I told Emilia. It was a shame that she would bear the fallout of her husband’s decision. “Xavier would never forgive us if we showed him up. I haven’t seen him yet tonight. Is he around?”
“Oh,” Emilia said. “Didn’t he mention? He’s away on business at the moment.”
“You never mentioned anything.” Dante looked at Tori who held his gaze.
“I didn’t think it would be important,” she replied evenly.
Alarm bells began to ring. “Did he say how long he’d be away for?”
Emilia shook her head. “No. Did you have plans to see him?”
“No. It’s just been a while since Xavier hasn’t rung in the New Year with all of us.” I may have only started attending the New Year’s bash again last year, but there had been plenty of party anecdotes and they usually all involved my charming Godfather.
“You know my husband; he’ll turn up when you least expect it.” There was something that lay behind those words. Emilia had always been timid unless she held the upper hand. That was why Mom and her rarely saw eye to eye. Their entire relationship had been based on Emilia being one step ahead of her in the hierarchy and Emilia flaunting it shamelessly. Mom’s departure from the family had been like handing Emilia a loaded gun. I’d known the Morettis since I was young, and Emilia’s sudden upbeat attitude, teamed wi
th Marcello’s warning, led me to believe that something wasn’t right.
“You’ll let us know if there’s anything we can do to help out while he’s away,” I offered. “Dante and I will be more than happy to lend a hand. You must have a lot on your plate without Xavier.”
“You boys don’t need to worry about anything. My family have it under control. Gabe was happy to temporarily take the reins.”
Gabe. Of all the people he could have left in charge, he’d left us with that liability.
“We shouldn’t keep you from your hosting duties,” I said to her as calmly as possible.
Emilia reached up and pressed a kiss on my cheek. “Always caring about the family. Just how it should be.” She slipped past me to join the rest of the party and Dante flashed me a look.
“I’m going to find Mia and make sure Katia hasn’t turned her into a drunkard,” I told him.
“Good plan,” Dante said. “See you later.” Tori knew Xavier had gone and kept it to herself. Dante would need to figure out if she knew anything and report back. Lines were being drawn and we needed to figure out where everyone stood.
I swept through the room until I found Mia. My heart skidded to a stop in my chest. She stood with Katia and Rosalie, grin plastered on her face as Rosalie gestured wildly to accompany whatever story she told. This was what Mia deserved: a sense of happiness with nothing sinister threatening it. I wanted to be the person to give her that, rather than the one who was constantly adding issues to the ever-growing pile that threatened to pull her under.
“Ladies,” I said, breaking into their conversation. “I’d like to steal my fiancée away if that’s okay with you both.” I wrapped an arm around Mia’s waist.
“Go ahead,” Rosalie told me. “I’m sure we can spare her for a while.”
“I’m grateful.” I pulled Mia away as she looked over her shoulder and wiggled her fingers at the women.
“Can’t you cope without me?” Mia asked, alcohol clearly loosening her inhibitions.
“Never,” I told her, drawing her into me so we blended in among the other dancing couples. “I’m sure you already knew that.”
