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“Oh, Christina.” She holds me tighter. “Shhh.” She starts to stroke my hair. It reminds me of when I was little. “I’m sorry, honey,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “I’m sorry.”
My shoulders slump as I lean into her touch, my body desperate for love, for safety.
I don’t know who she assumes I’m in love with, Enzo or Nico. I doubt she’s imagining it's both of them. I hiccup. Too emotional to explain myself.
“It’s going to be okay.” she says, hiccupping herself from emotion. “Calm down.” She holds me at arm’s length, attempting to lift my chin and wipe away my tears. “Take a deep breath, that’s my girl. Let it out, it’s all right.” She strokes my head, wiping her own tears away with her other hand.
“Listen to me,” she says. “I’ll talk to Albert. Everything is going to be okay. I’m sure.” She swallows hard. “Mafia men marry and have mistresses all the time. I’m sure we can find…”
“What if he freaks out?” I say, the only words I can manage. I hold my body tighter. “What if no one wants me now? What will Albert do to me?”
“Okay. Okay.” She brushes my head. “It’s okay. Deep breaths.”
The aftershocks of the cries linger, but the tears slow, allowing me to blink and look back at her.
I use my moment of strength to make sure that she understands. “I’m not giving them up.”
She raises her eyebrows when I say them but she doesn’t say anything. She just brings my face to hers and kisses my forehead.
“I love them, mom,” I say. There it is. The truth. Ugly and shameful. But it’s free. “I love them so much.”
28
Nico
Days filled with rage have taken a toll on my sleep patterns. I’m exhausted. No matter what I say or how I negotiate, my father is adamant that Christina will marry Jimmy. Short of telling him that I’ve already claimed her and Enzo too, I’m running out of options. I think he already suspects something, but I know better than to confirm it unless he asks directly.
I’ve punched through walls. I’ve yelled myself hoarse. Hell, I even beat the shit out of a few people.
But it’s to no avail.
When I came up with a plan to kidnap her and hide her away, Enzo had to remind me that she’s safest here. Under guard. Protected. Next to us.
My life feels like chaos, and I have a constant headache as I try to find any possible way to get out of this situation.
I replay the facts in my mind for the millionth time.
The Cossis have betrayed us, stolen our goods, and fucked with our shipments.
Senator Cosa has the connections to put pressure on them without us having to wage a full out war.
Albert wants Christina married off by the end of the year.
Cosa wants Christina to marry Jimmy as payment for dealing with the Cossis.
