I considered the options. And beating the information from an old friend right now wasn’t one of them. “You didn’t invite me to the wedding,” I said instead, knowing he’d understand my lack of arguing about the cleaner was an answer.
Jesse ran his hand across his mouth. “It wasn’t exactly a normal situation. We had to fake the whole getting-married bit, but then we decided to turn in the paperwork later so it was legit.”
“Fake marriage, huh?”
“That’s a story for another day.” He semismiled, putting eyes on Maria, her sister, and Ryan. “Do your brothers know she’s coming?”
“Not yet.”
“No chance your father’s past has anything to do with what happened to Bianca? Your dad’s old organization has had quite the shake-up lately.”
“I don’t think he’s involved, but I’m not ruling anyone or anything out,” I shared, thinking about the change in leadership in Sicily. A woman now ran things there, and from what I knew, she was solid and deserved the role. Married Irish, which turned a few heads and ruffled quite a lot of old-school Italian feathers.
“I really am sorry I had to drop this on you. But I won’t leave you hanging.” Jesse extended his hand, and his ring caught my eye. That circle of damn hope I’d never thought possible for me.
“Yeah, I trust you.” I slapped his hand with mine; then we said our goodbyes before I started for the jet, anxious to take off, but not so eager to do so with two bodyguards on board. Constantine was paranoid and overprotective to think I’d need escorts while up in the sky.
I sent a quick text to my brothers about the change in plans.
Me: Let Mom know I’ll have a plus-one at dinner tonight.
Alessandro was quick to respond, and I reread his punch-to-the-gut words.
Alessandro: Have you lost your mind? You want to put her in harm’s way? Why?
He was right. I had lost my mind.
Constantine: We can keep her safe. If he wants her with him, then so be it.
I wasn’t expecting that answer from Constantine, and part of me had hoped my eldest brother would knock some sense into me, because he was probably the only one I’d listen to. Well, aside from Maria, so it would seem.
Me: Can you have my car waiting for me at the airport? I want to swing by my place to grab some stuff before I head to Mom and Dad’s.
Constantine: Yeah, but there’s been a change in plans for this unexpected family reunion. We’re going to stay at our place in Oyster Bay instead. It’s more secure.
Me: You’re making sure Izzy is coming, too, right?
Constantine: Of course. But she’s bringing her boyfriend.
Alessandro: Boyfriend? She does realize we’re all going to interrogate him, right?
Constantine: I promised we wouldn’t. Only way I could get her to agree.
Alessandro: Fuck that. I didn’t promise.
Constantine: Focus that anger elsewhere, like on finding Bianca’s killer.
Alessandro: Yeah, sure. And hell, if this is turning into a party, I should bring a plus-one, too.
Constantine: Be serious.
Alessandro: You know me. Humor and copious amounts of sex are my coping mechanisms. Well, so the shrink says.
Since when did he see a therapist?
Constantine: We need to focus. Did Jesse give you the name?
Me: Not yet. I’ll have it by this evening, though.
Constantine’s slow reply meant he regretted not flying down to get the information from Jesse himself.
Constantine: I’ll find Carter and get it from him if I have to.
From the sound of it, that wasn’t a fight I was eager to see. And we needed to be on the same side. Jesse was right.
I looked over at Maria, and her eyes met mine. That sinking feeling in my stomach came back.
Me: Tell me one more time I’m not crazy for bringing her with me.
Alessandro: I can’t do that. You are.
Constantine: Just do what you think is right. You always do.
What I always do? That would be the opposite of bringing Maria with me today. I pocketed my phone, unsure if I really knew what was the right decision. But Maria somehow had me breaking my own rules at every turn. And after that kiss this morning—
“You’re sure about this?” Ryan asked, cutting off my thoughts.
“No, I’m not,” I honestly shared, which had Maria shooting me a death stare. “But she’s a pain in the ass, so I guess she’s coming whether I want her to or not.” And I wanted to spank that woman’s ass for this, too.
“If anything happens to her,” was all Ryan said, and it was all he needed to say. There’d be hell to pay across the board if so much as a hair was touched on her head.