Page 72 of Captive Bride: Armani
“I can take it off if—”
“They know,” he interrupts. “They knoweverything.”
They know. Theyallknow. My life as I know it is shattered.
Shoulders slumping, I slide out of the SUV. Marco’s car is already here, and Charlie pulls in right behind us as Marco and I close our car doors. My throat goes tight. Is Clayton with her?
Lingering by the car, I watch as the passenger door of Charlie’s car opens and Clayton gets out. There he is. The man who drugged me, who was probably the only witness to my wedding. Bile burns my throat.
Armani catches my line of sight and pulls me to his side.
“As far as you’re concerned, he’s an upstanding citizen and you have absolutely no problem with him,” he hisses in my ear. “Do you?”
I shake my head no and follow him inside, where the family stands around in the large entryway, chatting softly and laughing and giving rounds of hugs. There’s so much commotion that nobody pays me any mind, but I’m still a ball of nerves. Mrs. Abbott is off to the side scolding a dog, a huge mastiff, who seems to have ripped open some presents judging by the torn wrapping paper all around him. Livvie is anxiously attending Frankie, who looks radiant but a bit tired. Baby Liliana is nowhere to be seen, so I assume she’s up in the nursery sleeping.
Forcing a smile, I hover at the outside of the circle, taking in the happy scene even though I feel a million miles away from it. I’m obviously not welcome here. Case in point, Karina and Charlie don’t bother to greet me, even though I’m clearly visible to them. Clayton merely glances at me, his eyes looking noticeably tired and puffy, before turning back to his wife with a charming grin. She laughs at something he says.
Dropping my gaze, I swallow hard and do my best to keep my composure, though Charlie’s laugh unraveled any shred of self-confidence I had left. I wait for some kind of instruction from Armani on what I’m expected to do, but he’s basically ignoring me, too. He doesn’t bother taking my hand or putting an arm around me. He just lets me lag behind him, no better than a dog.
I wish I could walk out and wait in the car. I don’t belong here. And I sure as hell don’t want to see the look on Frankie’s face when she sees me hiding behind Armani, because I know that she knows what I did. My guts churn, my anxiety making me sweat.
When I agreed to do this job, I never dreamed in a million years that I would end up in this position. That I’d get caught red-handed by the man I’d been quietly falling in love with. Past me used to have stupid little fantasies about going on thrillingly romantic dates with Armani, having all kinds of hot sex with him, marrying him, even.
Now, I’ve actually experienced all of those things—except it’s nothing like I imagined.
How bitter reality can be.
Dante announces that we should move into the dining room, so the traffic funnels down the hall toward the back of the house, where the patio doors have all been flung open so we can eat amidst gorgeous views of the surrounding vineyards. In the doorway, Dante makes sure to say something nice to everyone who passes…except for me. When I clear my throat and say hello, he doesn’t even look at me.
I’m so humiliated and stung, I don’t even know what to do with myself until Armani takes me by the elbow. He steers me to an empty chair near the end of the long banquet table, then settles in beside me. As serving staff circle the table dishing out eggs benedict, fresh crêpes, mimosas, and whatever else, I sit dutifully with a fake smile on my face, dying inside.
One by one, each member of the Bellanti and Abbott families is taken upstairs for a short visit with Frankie and the baby. When it should be my turn, Dante skips right over me. Which, of course he does. I feel stupid for even thinking I might be given a chance to see Lili, no matter how badly I want it. All I can do is pretend not to notice the snub, pushing bits of poached egg and hollandaise sauce around my plate as I try to ignore the tones of laughter and joy-filled conversation that spill from the nursery upstairs.
At one point, the baby begins to cry, her sharp, shrill wails echoing through the house. The sound stabs me right in the heart. For some reason, it gives me a sense of urgency, like I need to get up and do something, but she quiets down quickly. Moments later, Frankie comes downstairs cradling Liliana in her arms. The baby is dressed in a breathtaking lace gown, with a delicate circlet of tiny crocheted white flowers on her head.
“The photographer is here,” Frankie announces to the group. “Dante and I will be out in the yard with the baby. No rush on your food, just come out whenever you’re ready.”
Mrs. Abbott doesn’t wait, following Frankie outside immediately. Dante follows. I watch everybody else filter outside in pairs, not moving until Armani tells me we should join them.
The photo shoot is set up in the dappled shade under a sprawling live oak, and it’s easy to imagine the background in soft focus, comprised of the bountiful late summer flowers in the garden. I see bright fuchsia, zinnias in pinks and golds and reds and purples, lavender and petunias and tiny white flowers I can’t name. Lili’s first pictures are going to be incredible.
I perch on a metal garden chair and watch the happy family as they pass the baby around and pose in different groups and configurations for the photos. My sadness only grows as I watch Frankie laugh and smile and interact with her baby. I’m genuinely happy for her, but I wish I wasn’t on the outside of all this joy. I wish I could explain myself to her and fix things somehow.
Liliana starts getting fussy again, and Frankie sends everyone back into the house. I stand up and smooth my dress, glancing around for Armani. He’s across the lawn from me, talking with Marco and Dante. Since Frankie is momentarily alone with Lili, I take my chance and walk over to her. She sees me coming and pulls the baby closer, as if I might do something to Liliana.
“Frankie…”
She shakes her head. “Stay away from me, and stay away from my daughter. You might be a necessary evil for the time being, according to Armani, but I don’t even want to look at you.”
Tears fall, hot and helpless down my cheeks. Lili stares up at me with her dark blue eyes full of curiosity and wonder, and all it does is break my heart even more.
“Frankie, please, let me explain my side of things,” I beg. “I know it looks bad, but…it’s really not what it seems. Please, just give me a chance. You’re the only friend I have left.”
She narrows her eyes and gives me a murderous look, and for the first time I fully understand how fierce she’s capable of being. How dangerous she is. Because there is no doubt in my mind that she’s completely embraced her role as a mafia wife.
“Nice, Candi. Trying to play the friend card. But it won’t work. This is myfamilyyou betrayed. Our friendship ended when you crossed that line. So, no, I’m not going to feel sorry for you. I’m not going to give you another chance. And I’m not going to sit here and listen to what you have to say. I’m sure it would just be lies, anyway.”
I’m too stunned by her rejection to reply.
