Page 87 of Single Malt Drama
Shanna said, “Yes.”
I cheered and clapped my hands with the rest of our friends and family. Even Evelyn gave the couple a weak golf-clap.
Enzo stood and spun Shanna in a circle. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”
Gabe shouted, “Enzo, you forgot something.”
The idiot forgot the ring.The fact I laughed was proof positive I needed my brothers. Sure, they pissed me off seventy-five percent of the time, but I could always count on one of them to do something ridiculous.
Cursing under his breath, he set Shanna on her feet and pulled a robin’s egg blue box from his pocket.
The couple whispered back and forth before he slid the ring on her finger and kissed her again.
Once again, everyone cheered.
“Please, enjoy the food and drinks. I need a moment alone with my fiancé.” Enzo pulled Shanna into the house.
My mother stepped in front of me and planted her hands on her hips. “Will you speak to me now, or do I need to book an appointment with your secretary?”
“I’m starving. Let me get some food in my stomach before you lecture me on what I should and shouldn’t do with my life.” I’d never spoken to her like that, and frankly, a part of me hated it. However, I’d come there to celebrate Enzo’s birthday, not to deal with more bullshit.
Evelyn, always one to have the last word, shouted over the noise of the crowd, “It’s rude to eat before the guest of honor.”
My bothers, niece, and nephews groaned as if choreographed.
I turned back to her. “I’m not taking the position, Ma. Let it go.”
She sighed and slumped her shoulders. “I figured as much, but that’s not what I wanted to speak to you about.”
No?I set my hand on the small of her back and guided her to a quiet corner. “Then what? If this is about my marriage, you can save your breath.”
“Marriage?” Evelyn chuckled. “You’ve had a crush on her since puberty, but Nico wanted no part of you.”
“Ma…” I glared, hoping she’d take the hint and shut her mouth.
“Don’t Ma, me. Can’t you see? She only let you take her to bed because she’s desperate.”
I turned on my heel and strode away rather than risk cursing at my own mother.
“You deserve better.” She grabbed my arm. “Marco, please. We have more important things to discuss than your marriage.”
The sarcastic tone she used when she said the last word stopped me in my tracks. What the hell does she know? “I’m listening.”
Evelyn met my gaze and blew up my world. “Pietro is missing over a million dollars in cash. He’s brought the thieves back to Sicily for justice.”
Blood whooshed behind my ears. “Thieves?”
“Alessio and Maria Grasso. You remember Maria. She was Nico’s nanny.”
This can’t be happening. Nico is going to lose it. “But they haven’t worked for him in decades.”
“Ma, Enzo’s taking forever. Why can’t we eat?” Dante whined.
She waved him away without taking her eyes off me. “We both know they didn’t take the money, but Pietro’s men found it in the house where they were staying.”
Ryan, my four-year-old nephew, tugged her sleeve. “Nonna, I’m hungry.”
“Go tell Uncle Enzo.” She sighed and turned back to me. “You know what happens to thieves in our world.”