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She rolls her eyes. “At least you still have your spark. And you’re not dead yet.”
I smile. “Did you think I was going to die?”
“Well, yeah, you told me you were part of an organized crime syndicate,” she says, lowering her voice. “Of course I thought you were in some danger.”
“I guess I technically was. But it’s okay now. I’m safe, Sab.”
“Are you sure? Because I know people, Rory. I have a friend who’s a cop, and she’s pretty cool. I guarantee she can help you if you need it.”
“Trust me, Sab. There’s nothing one cop is going to be able to do when faced with the might of the Cosa Nostra. I promise, I’m safe.”
“Aurora, you have a bodyguard,” she points out, gesturing at Danny, who’s found a place to sit in the lounge while still keeping an eye on me.
“Okay, maybe not safe,” I amend. “I’m the Don’s wife. I need protection.”
Sabrina’s green eyes widen. And she practically chokes out her next words.
“You’re what?”
Oh shit. I meant to ease her into the information.
“Okay, just relax, breathe. I can explain,” I say slowly.
“Holy shit!” Sabrina exclaims. “That’s why you were wearing that ring on your finger? It’s the same one I saw that night. You know I really wanted to ask, but I was so upset with you that I decided to let it go. What the hell, Aurora? You’re married? To who?”
I exhale a soft breath. “Nicolas Ramirez,” I tell her.
Her expression turns confused. “Nicolas Ramirez? As in that intense guy who showed up at your apartment? The one you apparently don’t like, who you called an asshole?”
“Yeah,” I mumble.
“Okay, you need to start making sense. And fast.”
“It’s not a real marriage. We made a deal. It’s all extremely complicated, Sab,” I tell her.
Our cocktails arrive at that moment, and she thanks the waiter, grabbing hers once it’s on the table.
“Don’t worry, as long as you keep the drinks coming, I’ll listen to anything you have to say,” she assures me, taking a sip of her drink. “Now go on.”
I huff out a breath before trying to explain exactly how Nico and I ended up married.
“Damn. So, correct me if I’m wrong, but it kind of sounds like this guy forced you into a marriage.”
“No,” I’m quick to protest. “Like I said, Sab, we made a deal. I would marry him, and he would guarantee my freedom. I know it’s hard to believe, but that’s the way things are in the outfit. Marriages are alliances meant to strengthen one’s position.”
Sabrina nods. “Yeah, I get it. If it wasn’t for the crime aspect, you’d be like normal rich people. Instead, you’re rich people who engage in marriage contracts in order to successfully get enough power to rule over a crime organization. Is that right?”
“Basically.”
“So your ‘husband’,” she says, putting air quotes around the word, “he’s Don now?”
“Yes. Nico’s in charge of the entire outfit.”
“And in four months, you’ll fake divorce him and it’ll all be over?”
A soft groan escapes me in response to that question. Sabrina smirks like she has me all figured out.
“Let me guess, you have feelings for your ‘fake husband’,” she states.
