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“Yes. And Katerina Mincetti is a Don, the boss of a mafia organization. But Katerina Mincetti is also a woman who really likes shopping. My sister and I love fashion shows. It’s one of the most normal aspects of our lives, and I refuse to let us lose that. We might be in the outfit, but that doesn’t keep us from living our lives.”
That’s such a profoundly niche outlook on life, especially for people in our world.
“I never got to do that,” I admit. “Normalcy was hard to attain when I grew up being surrounded by the reminders that I’m not a normal woman. I had duties to my family.”
Katerina smiles. “We all have duties to our families. It’s what we’re consistently told from the moment we’re born. But those duties don’t get to keep us from living. That’s a lesson I learned too late, Isabella. Don’t make the same mistakes I did.”
The knowing glint in her eyes has me arching an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
Katerina grins, placing the jeans back on the rack. “Okay, I’ll be honest. Hanging out wasn’t the only reason I invited you here. New York might be a large city, but people like us draw whispers wherever we go. And people are starting to notice that my brother-in-law and you seem to share a unique relationship.”
“We’re friends,” I say blandly.
That’s two Dons that have had questions about our relationship in the past couple of days. I can’t help but wonder exactly how many people already have an insight into our relationship. Maybe we should have tried a little harder to keep things secret.
“I’m not saying otherwise. And your relationship is your business.”
“But?” I question.
Katerina smirks. “But nothing, Isabella. Graham’s a great guy. He can be a little immature at times?—”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter.
“But he’s also smart and charming and kind, even though he likes to pretend otherwise. He’s had some struggles, but in the past year, I’ve watched him mature a lot.”
My eyes narrow. “Why are you talking up your brother-in-law right now?”
“No reason. I just want you to know that if anything were to ever happen between you two, I completely support it. Xander and I even have a bet going on.”
“A bet,” I repeat dryly.
“Yes. But you don’t need to worry about that. Just remember what I said. I spent a long time convincing myself that my happiness was irrelevant in the face of duty. I regret that a lot. Don’t be like me, Isabella,” she says softly. Then she blinks and her expression clears. “Now, tell me which of these shirts you think will look nice on Xander. I think the green will bring out the color of his eyes,” she says thoughtfully.
I nod once; the green will be perfect. We shop a little more, talking about anything and everything ranging from our families to college to our hobbies. I’m a little surprised to find out that we’re slightly similar. When I tell Katerina that I’ve never really had any close friends, she immediately announces that we’re best friends, especially since she also doesn’t have friends apart from her family.
We head to the food court to grab some lunch after shopping. I take a bite of my salad, studying her for a couple of seconds.
“How do you do it, Katerina? Be a mother and a wife and a Don,” I ask gently.
She offers me a small, sad smile. “It’s hard. Really hard at times. But I have my loved ones—an incredibly supportive husband and a family that will always be on my side. It helps.”
“I grew up believing a woman especially couldn’t have it all. Not the way you do.”
“Listen, Isa, the outfit is a hard place to grow up in. We’re constantly surrounded by men who think they can tell us what to do and who to be. But we’re strong enough to forge our own paths. No one can control you. And no one can dictate what you do with your life,” she says insightfully.
I smile. It’s easy to understand why Katerina’s the Don. She’s smart and fearless.
“I’m really glad we did this today,” I tell her.
“Anytime. I have a feeling you and I are going to be spending a lot of time together in the future.”
I take another bite of my salad, looking away from the knowing expression on her face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I mutter.
CHAPTER 19
Graham
“Can you believe the nerve of that bitch?” my sister says into my ear. “She thinks she’s suddenly better than me because her brother married some unknown duchess.”
