Page 77 of Urgent Vows
She rubs her face against my knuckles. I'm not sure she's even aware she's doing it. "Why?"
She needs to ask?
"It was my home. I never want to live there again, but I'll want to visit my aunt and uncle sometimes."
"They won't be there. They're moving to Detroit after the funeral."
"That will make my uncle happy. I don't think he ever thought of Long Island as home."
I don't care if her uncle is happy. I just don't want them anywhere near Catalina. They had their chance to be decent family to her and they blew it. They're damn lucky I'm not going to kill them.
"I can try to explain the unlocking mechanism to Luigi, but I think you should see the information I have compiled before leaving it to a soldier to pack up and move."
She's right. Damn it. "Tell me how to open the room."
"I want to go with you. It's my research."
I nod grudgingly and then I text Luigi and tell him I want the mansion cleared when we arrive.
I don't want Candilora and Giovi there and I can't trust Francesco's men until Big Sal has a chance to vet them and decide who he's keeping on his crew. He'll be there when we arrive though. He's going through Francesco's files already and will be moving what he needs to his office. The rest will be disposed of.
After texting Luigi, I send a message to Aldo:
Full team of Catalina's guards. Going to Long Island. Have cars and men ready in 10 min.
"I should probably put some makeup on before we leave," Catalina says as she stands up.
"I'll do your face," my sister offers.
My wife smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Thank you. That would be great. I'm not used to wearing it." The small downward twist to her lips says she doesn't like it either.
"If you don't want to wear makeup, don't," I tell her.
Giulia gives me a pitying glance. "Isn't that just like a man. Do you want people thinking your wife is unsophisticated? She's a don's wife. She can't afford to make a bad impression."
My mother and sister love their makeup and spa treatments, but that's not Catalina.
"The only impression she needs to make is on her left finger." Speaking of, I need to get her an engagement ring to wear with her wedding ring. Something big that will leave no one doubting that she is taken.
"I don't want anyone thinking you gave me this bruise," Catalina says firmly. "I will not allow you to be tarred with the brush that belongs only to my father."
What is that weird feeling? I thump my chest to dislodge it.
"Your wife sure is protective of you," Miceli says after the women leave.
Raffaele nods. "Considering she's a stand in for her sister, that's unexpected."
"She's no stand in." I move menacingly toward my brother-in-law. "She is my queen."
"No argument here, brother." Raffaele puts both hands up, but he's not afraid of me.
He never has been, which is one of the reasons I consider him a good match for my sister. Even his father, the current Don of Las Vegas Cosa Nostra, is more cautious around me.
"This stays between us," I say to Miceli and Raffaele.
Both nod.
"Not even your father knows, Raffaele. We'll share information, but no one can know where you get it."
