Page 163 of Auctioned to the Mafia Don
He does not smile.
He does not wave.
He just stands there, solid and waiting, as if he knows I need to see him before I can let myself believe anything good may stay.
Later, after the social worker leaves and the twins have chosen where every pillow belongs, Alex brings out a stack of envelopes from the kitchen counter.
“Mail came for you,” he says.
I take them automatically.
Most are boring. Insurance. A counseling appointment reminder. One envelope from Raven with a note inside confirming the final pieces of Leon’s network are moving toward prosecution.
Then I see the last one. Cream paper. Heavy stock.
Stefano sees it over my shoulder.
“What is it?” I ask.
He holds out his hand. The return address says,Savarese.
I look at him. “You didn't tell me.”
“I didn't know it arrived.”
“That is not reassuring.”
“It is a wedding invitation.”
“That is still not reassuring.”
Erin appears at my elbow. “Can I see?”
I hand it to her. She opens it before either of us can stop her and reads the large script on the front with exaggerated care.
“Maya and Stefano,” she says. “That is you.”
“Yes,” I tell her.
She looks between us. “Are we invited?”
The room goes quiet.
Heath has come out of his bedroom. Victor and Alex stand near the kitchen doorway. Stefano’s eyes stay on me, leaving the answer where it belongs.
With me.
I crouch beside Erin and pull Heath close enough that he has to decide whether he wants to resist.
He does not.
“You aren’t invited,” I say.
Erin’s face falls.
Heath looks away.
Then I smile.
