Page 116 of Till Death Do Us Part
She reached for my elbow. “I suggest you invite Arianna out when the baby’s born.”
Invite my mother. “To help me or to get her away from you?”
Catalina laughed. “A little of both.”
I couldn’t help thinking of how much Catalina had changed and grown in her confidence since her wedding day. She’d not only accepted her place as the wife of the capo dei capi, but she also shone brightly as the woman meant to stand at his side.
As if conjured by my thoughts, Dario appeared at my side, looking down at his daughter in my arms. “Don’t get any ideas, Mia. You’re still a newlywed.”
Catalina looked at me and grinned.
Dario studied his wife and then turned to me. “Well, shit. I guess I’m too late. Congratulations?”
“Do I have my capo’s approval?”
“Of course, Ariadna Gia will have a cousin.”
It seemed that amongst our closest family and friends, news traveled lightning fast. Finally, I stood at Aléjandro’s side as he lifted his hands, quieting the guests. He wrapped his arm around my waist. “If you haven’t already heard, Mia and I have an announcement.”
“BebéRoríguez,” Rei said loudly to a hearty round of applause.
Mom and Josefina immediately descended upon us with hugs and kisses. It was later when I heard Jorge and Dario talking that I knew in my heart of hearts that our alliance would work. It had to. In another seven months, we’d have two children who were both cartel and famiglia. A new generation to witness the success that can be had when unlikely partners worked together.
Near the end of the evening, Dante found me in the kitchen. “Congratulations, Mia. I didn’t say a word.”
“I hadn’t known for sure when you were here.”
“I’ll tell you what I said before;thisis the marriage you deserve.”
“You kept my secret. Now tell me who you want to marry.”
He pressed his lips together.
“I heard your request has been approved. Don’t you think you should clue the future bride in?”
“Tonight is your night.”
“Does she even know you?”
“What’s not to love about me?”
I laughed. “Seriously. This misogynistic?—”
Dante laid a finger on my lips and spoke in a whisper. “Here’s my secret, Mia. Don’t tell anyone.”
“I can’t keep a secret from Aléjandro.”
“He knows.”
That means he’d kept a secret from me. My curiosity was getting the better of me. “Spill.”
“My future bride knows. I asked her before I asked Dario.”
My eyes flew open. “Rebel.”
“Don’t tell Dario or Jorge. The marriage couldn’t happen without their approval, and we both knew that.”
I turned, taking in the guests. In the category of unwed cartel women present, there were four: Mireya, Camila, Sofia, and Liliana. Aléjandro had told me it wasn’t Liliana. “Are you going to tell me?”