Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Will you help me make Yuki feel at home once she’s here?” I ask, my tone hopeful.
“Of course. I’ll clear my calendar.”
Letting out a chuckle, I say, “Just don’t smother her.”
Mom shoots me a playful glare before she asks, “Do you have a wedding ring? What about the arrangements?” Her eyes widen. “Oh my God! You’re getting married in four days.”
“Don’t panic. It’s going to be a small ceremony. I don’t want any family there. Things are still too volatile with the Yakuza, and I don’t want to put any of you in danger.”
Mom’s eyebrows draw together, a flash of sadness tightening her features. “So, we don’t get to celebrate with you?”
Yeah, it was stupid of me to think I’d get away with it.
Letting out a sigh, I say, “Will you arrange–”
“Yes!” Mom cuts me off. “I’ll get all the women together tomorrow. We can have the reception at our house.”
Shit. It’s going to overwhelm the hell out of her meeting the entire family all at once. Not being able to deny Mom this one thing, I keep my worry to myself.
We head back to the veranda, and the instant I sit down, Bianca asks, “What can we do to make things easier for you?”
I give her a grateful smile. “Once Yuki’s had time to settle, maybe spend some time with her and make her feel welcome.”
Sienna’s head bobs up and down. “We can do that. We’ll include her in lunch dates and shopping trips.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mom giving Dad a hug.
“With the bomb dropped and all of us surviving the aftermath, Gianna and I are heading home,” Riccardo says as he gets up. “I’ll see you first thing tomorrow at the office.”
I nod and smile at them as they leave.
“We’re going to head home as well. I have a lot to plan for the reception.” Mom comes to press a kiss to my forehead.
I give Mom a loving look. “Thanks for understanding.”
She pats my cheek like I’m a five-year-old. “Sorry for overreacting and all the crying.”
Dad shakes my hand, and after they head into the house to leave via the front door, it’s just my sisters and me.
Sienna’s eyes drift over my face. “How are you holding up?”
I shrug and rub my fingertips over the scruff on my jaw. “I’m just tired. It’s been a crazy few months.”
“Are you going to take some time off to get some rest?”
I shake my head. “I have to train Riccardo.”
“How will you get to know Yuki if you’re busy at work?” Bianca asks.
“I’m going to give her some space for the first month or so.”
Worry lines form on both my sisters' faces, but it’s Sienna who says, “I think you’re making a mistake. I don’t believe an arranged marriage can work.”
“It’s worked just fine for Uncle Angelo and Aunt Torri, as well as Uncle Damiano and Aunt Gabrielle.”
“Yeah, but they’re old school,” she argues.
When it looks like she has more to say on the matter, I give her a stern look. “Stop, Sienna. This matter is not open for discussion.”
She instantly backs down, and getting up, she comes to sit beside me, wrapping her arms around me. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried about you.”
Bianca pulls another chair closer to my left side, and soon I’m getting the shit hugged out of me by my sisters.
Silence falls between us, and as I stare out over the backyard, I let out a sigh.
Jesus, I hope I’m doing the right thing for the Cosa Nostra, and this doesn’t explode in my face.
Chapter 11
Yuki
I haven’t slept much the past week, and the trip from Tokyo to New York was very exhausting.
As I’m standing in the hotel room, wearing a simple white wedding dress, my nerves are frayed, and I’m out of tears to cry.
My heart is beating a mile a minute, and my mouth is dry, but I know if I drink something, I’ll vomit.
“Let’s get this over with,” Yutaro grumbles as he opens the door.
My feet remain rooted to the spot, and I shake my head. My voice is nothing more than a croak. “I can’t.”
Drawing his gun, Yutaro aims the weapon at me as he comes closer. He presses the barrel to my forehead and snaps, “If you don’t marry Vitale, you are of no use to the Yakuza!”
My eyes squeeze shut as I suck in a quivering breath.
“Are you dying today or getting married?”
Knowing I have no choice, I whisper, “I’m getting married.”
He grabs hold of my arm, and I’m roughly hauled out of the room and toward the elevators. He doesn’t let go of me as we travel to the first floor, and not caring what other people might think, I’m dragged to a hall where Yakuza soldiers are waiting with the Cosa Nostra.
There’s no music. No flowers. No other women.